The forests of the Panama Canal watershed

The forests of the Panama Canal watershed are among the best studied and most accessible in the tropics—a natural laboratory for scientists, students, and visitors. In this environment we operate the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, an interpretive center that integrates ecotourism, environmental education, and research. Since its opening, the center has welcomed more than 100,000 national and international visitors, demonstrating that well-managed tourism can finance ecosystem protection, generate viable economic alternatives, and raise awareness about the fragility of tropical forests.

Our education program brings public and private school students, teachers, and families closer to birdwatching and to understanding habitat threats. Through interpretive trails, observation towers, and guided activities, we connect curiosity with science and promote an informed environmental citizenship.

This work is complemented by biodiversity research and monitoring in collaboration with scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Oregon State University, the University of Panama, and other partners. The center serves as a field base for studies on ecological interactions and environmental change. For example, STRI’s Bat Lab investigates bat diversity, interactions, and behavior in the area. Other projects analyze how microclimates influence the prevalence and intensity of parasites in howler monkeys, and test emerging biodiversity monitoring technologies such as the MothBox and passive acoustic monitoring.