Open House Day at Las Cruces Research Station

San Vito, Costa Rica

On June 8th 2025, the Las Cruces Research Station, managed by the Organization for Tropical Studies, hosted its annual Día de Puertas Abiertas, a vibrant day where the station welcomes members of the surrounding communities. This outreach event is a cherished tradition designed to open the doors of the station to the public through guided walks, hands-on workshops, and engaging science and cultural exhibits.

It’s a busy and rewarding day for staff, volunteers, and researchers alike. Those of us conducting research at the station have the unique opportunity to share our work with a broader audience, making science accessible to people of all ages.

This year, over 500 visitors joined us. We were thrilled to connect with them again, just as we did last year, and to give back to the community that surrounds and supports our work. We talked about frog communication and reproduction: how frogs call to one another, how they find mates, and why these creatures matter. Many people shared their own stories about frogs they have seen in their backyards and how much they enjoy having them around.

The most gratifying part? The kids. So many young visitors came by to tell us why they love frogs. Their excitement and curiosity reminded us why public engagement is so important.

It’s a full-day effort, but sharing our science, hearing people’s stories, and inspiring the next generation of nature lovers makes it all worthwhile.