This project, conducted by a 2025 Dow Sustainability Fellows team in partnership with Nacientes Palmichal in rural San José, Costa Rica, aimed to advance sustainable rural development, environmental education, and ecotourism. The team leveraged expertise in sustainability, landscape architecture, public health, social work, and community development to create two key deliverables. The Grant Writing Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance for securing funding, including templates, example language, and aligned grant opportunities. The Educational Trail Signs orient visitors, share ecological and cultural knowledge, and foster community identity. Together, these resources empower Nacientes Palmichal to expand programming, build partnerships, and promote long-term environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism in the region.

Though created for Nacientes Palmichal, the grantwriting toolkit contained in this report may be of use to a variety of grant-seeking organizations. The signage at the end of the report provides examples and inspiration for other trail-managing organizations.