Karen Leavelle
Founder and executive director of Osa Birds: Research and
Conservation, Karen’s current work is focused on protecting
birds and their habitats on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. But with
over 20 years of experience working throughout the Americas, she
has a deep knowledge of avian species throughout the continents.
While earning her masters of science degree in avian ecology and
natural resources studies from University of Nebraska, Lincoln,
she had the opportunity to research the endemic, endangered
blue-headed quail-dove in Cuba. Other projects have similarly
been focused on conservation and research, including work with
the Peregrine Fund on California Condor reintroduction in
Arizona, researching breeding biology of Neotropical migratory
birds in the United States, and studying the ecology of the
endangered yellow-billed cotinga and black-cheeked ant tanager
of Costa Rica.
Committed to interdisciplinary studies of avian conservation,
Karen works closely with a variety of groups including students,
university faculty and local communities to conduct research and
provide education opportunities. With so many years living and
working on the Osa Peninsula and southern Pacific Coast region
of Costa Rica, she is particularly committed to protecting the
biodiversity of resident and migratory birds that rely on those
environments.
