The Research Center

The Panama Institute of Ecological and Biological Research offers a unique ecological, biological, and cultural environment to pursue scientific activities in pristine and protected nature. We are a research institute dedicated to conserving the forests in this tropical rainforest area on the Caribbean coast of Veraguas. In addition to environmental research, the Institute also provides space for cultural and social sciences studies focusing on cultural and social interactions between the environment and indigenous peoples.

The Panama Institute is a place particularly dedicated to rainforest conservation, a pristine and untouched flora and fauna on land and in water are ready. The Institute has existed in its current form and size since 2012 and is consciously behind the claim of quality over quantity. Established in 2012, a preliminary inventory of the fauna and flora of the area has been achieved to date, with consideration for minimizing the impact on the natural environment. In 2021, the center was established with the current research focus and opened to the international research community through this step.

The Institute was founded by the Austrian technician and nature lover Alexander Risse and has been in the hands of the owner since then. The Institute conducts its own nature research and can therefore point to several years of continuous research activity. The research center thus combines land, geology, water, air, and the relation to the local culture of indigenous people.

Support

The research center is supported by resident persons of different professions. On the one hand, support is offered for the logistics of arrival and departure and internal transport, as well as, if required, on-site support by researchers and the local indigenous population for scientific activities (e.g., as guides). Of course, personnel support is also provided within the scope of possibilities for recreational activities, such as the provision of support for fishing. The cleaning of the rooms is included in the offer. Furthermore, the cleaning and washing of personal textiles are offered.

Where possible, the research center also provides shopping and procurement services and organizes social programs for guests, such as visits to neighboring folk festivals and cultural events. Of course, there is also a shipping and receiving service. International services such as DHL and FedEx are available in the extended area.