Rex Hamilton (left) and Frank Joyce (right). Photos by Alejandro Masís and Monique Gilbert.
In a healthy forest, the tallest trees eventually give way to a new canopy, ensuring the entire ecosystem continues to thrive for generations. The Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (GDFCF) was born of such a vision in 1985—a commitment to restore and protect Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), sustained by a global community long into the future.
Today, ACG is home to nearly 2.6% of the world’s biodiversity. To continue our support securing the wild nature of ACG, we are proud to announce the evolution of GDFCF’s leadership.
Honoring a Visionary Legacy
After serving as President since our inception, Dr. Dan Janzen is transitioning into the role of Chief Scientist. In this role, he will continue to guide the scientific vision of ACG as GDFCF moves into its next chapter.
Stability in the Canopy
Dr. Frank Joyce, our Board Chair from January 2024 until February 2026, has transitioned to President of GDFCF. Frank’s deep roots in the natural and human communities of ACG make him an ideal ambassador to carry forward Dan’s vision. Dr. Winnie Hallwachs continues her vital role as Vice President, ensuring the institutional memory and scientific integrity of our work remain unbroken.
To support this vision, Rex Hamilton is stepping into the role of Chair of the Board. His focus, alongside our Executive Committee, is to ensure our fiduciary, fundraising, and operational foundations are as strong as our scientific core.
As Frank Joyce has noted: “We will continue to honor the legacy of Dan and Winnie through our unwavering mission to promote the long-term survival of the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Area Silvestre Protegida (protected area) of Área de Conservación Guanacaste in Costa Rica through conservation, education, science-based management and biodiversity development.”
Field operations in ACG continue as usual. Our parataxonomists and researchers continue to study, understand and help conserve the organisms and habitats of ACG. Our commitment to the biodiversity of Costa Rica is absolute.
Thank you for being part of this community. You are the reason this extraordinary 172,000-hectare landscape and seascape continue to thrive.