The head biologist of Las Pumas Rescue Center was guiding visitors on the nonprofit organization’s newly created Wild Path Tour, a premiere experience where guests get a behind-the-scenes look at the center from Esther herself.
She was telling the small group of visitors about Corobicí, a puma with neurological problems who was rescued from the highway four years ago.
Just at that moment, for the first time ever, the puma started playing with his ball.
A casual passerby might have thought nothing of it, but because the guests were with Esther, they learned just how significant the moment was. She was able to explain, in detail, what it meant for the puma’s health and recovery after years of care from the hardworking team at the center, and to show them just how meaningful the achievement was for her personally.
“He started playing with it just as I was giving the tour, so I started to cry, and one of the women on the tour cried right along with me.”
Esther says that while Corobicí’s breakthrough was an unforgettable moment, it was one of many opportunities she’s had to connect with visitors more deeply since launching the Wild Path Tour—an experience that Las Pumas created as a result of training and grant funds from Amigos of Costa Rica last year. The private tours with the head biologist have not only generated a new revenue stream for the nonprofit, but also launched new donor relationships with people who are fascinated by what they learn during their time with Esther.
From training to practice
That seed for that moment with Corobicí was planted in July 2024, when Esther and nine other participants from Amigos of Costa Rica affiliate organizations with an environmental focus participated in a revenue diversification training that Amigos offered through a collaboration with Little Big Fund.
In the five-week course, participants learned about crafting a compelling narrative and problem statement, and creating a full proposal for an initiative that would generate a new revenue stream for the nonprofit.
Following coaching to fine-tune their proposals, they were able to submit their ideas for consideration for matching grants from Amigos to bring them to fruition.
Through this process, Esther and the team at Las Pumas created the idea for the Wild Path Tour—an private experience that would be longer than the regular tour (1.5-2 hours, compared to one hour for the general public) and would be sold at a higher price point for visitors with a keen interest in wildlife conservation and biology.
Amigos Affiliate Coordinator Adriana Alfaro explains following coaching to fine-tune the proposal, Esther was selected to receive a $2,500 matching grant from the Amigos Environmental Fund if she could raise $2,500; a total of $12,680 from this fund were granted to 5 organizations, including Las Pumas.
Esther raised the funds, received the matching grant in February 2025, and used it to hire a communications and marketing professional to prepare the market research, promotional materials, and website additions that would be necessary to sell the tour.
behind-the-scenes experience at Las Pumas Rescue Center.
She continued to receive coaching and support from Adriana during the launch of the tour in June 2025.
‘It has sold itself’
“It’s moved on its own,” she says. “Because of a lack of time, I haven’t been able to promote it much, but it has sold itself.”
At the time of our conversation on Feb. 19, she had sold 40 tours.
In just over six months, Las Pumas has more than recovered its investment.
Esther adds that for the nonprofit, it’s a win not only in terms of numbers, but in terms of self-confidence and self-respect.
“For us, it was a matter of believing it was possible.”
“In placing greater value on all of our knowledge and the effort we put in.”
— Esther Pomareda, Las Pumas Rescue Center
Adriana says this journey from training through a matching grant and ongoing coaching is a great example of where Amigos could invest time and energy as it continues to expand its affiliate.
“We see value in Amigos shifting from providing more general training, like the crowdfunding training offered last year, to focusing on organizations that can, with just a bit of financial and coaching support, have significant and long-lasting results.”
— Adriana Alfaro, Amigos of Costa Rica
Related: Watch the Wild Path Tour on Instagram →
