NRDC recently designated the country of Costa Rica as a "BioGem" under its BioGems Initiative. The designation is aimed at helping Costa Rica become the world’s first carbon-neutral nations by 2021. BioGems, according to NRDC, are extraordinary and at-risk places that stretch from the Arctic in Alaska to Patagonia in Chile. Costa Rica joins 12 other BioGems across the Americas that NRDC is leading efforts to protect. Also on board the flight was Lee Stein, founder of Prize Capital which funds global competitions aimed at discovering innovative solutions in the areas of energy and the environment.

The NRDC delegation was in Costa Rica for an in-depth visit of the Osa Peninsula, a first step in launching its new initiatives in the country.