In 2016, Grupo Ecologista Avellanas (GEA) was established through the community efforts of eight members and various collaborators from the Playa Avellanas area, all of whom share a strong commitment to environmental conservation.

Over the past seven years, the group has carried out beach clean-ups and mangrove restoration activities in collaboration with national and international volunteers. Each year, approximately 8 kilometers of coastline are patrolled, including Playa Avellanas, Playa Callejones, Playa Negra, and Punta Pargos, among others, located in the Santa Cruz region of Guanacaste, within the districts of 27 de Abril and Tamarindo.

In 2023, GEA became a formally registered association and began collaborating with Manglar Centers, an initiative that aims to engage current generations in research and restoration efforts to protect coastal ecosystems. It promotes knowledge of nature-based solutions by connecting people from around the world who wish to learn and apply their skills through experiential workshops. Mangroves play a critical role, as they store approximately 50% of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activity.

Participants also have the opportunity to interact with local students, exchange life experiences, and learn about Costa Rican culture.

Manglar Center GEA offers a comprehensive cultural and scientific immersion experience, through which participants gain practical tools to protect coastal ecosystems and contribute valuable data for scientific, social, and policy-relevant research. These efforts support global initiatives to address the climate emergency affecting all living beings on the planet.

Mangroves not only help reduce excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but also serve as natural barriers against tsunamis and storm surges. By participating in their protection and restoration, individuals contribute to mitigating extreme climate events and advancing ecological solutions in their own contexts, becoming agents of sustainable human development.