Welcome to The Costa Rican Network for Long Term Ecological Research (CRLTER).This network was established in January 1998, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Network was initiated with the participation of four academic institutions in the country: Organization for Tropical Studies, University of Costa Rica, Tropical Science Center and National University. These institutions have selected six field sites as the founding sites. The network is administered by a Coordinating Committee with representatives of each site within the network. CRLTER is part of the International Long Term Ecological Research Network.

This network was originated as an inititative of the involved academic institutions, with the political support of the government. While only at its begginings, the network is actively seeking its consolidation through different meetings with the administrative autorities within each institution and by involving researchers in this effort.