Annie Drake & Osa Vive Project

Nearly three decades ago, Annie left her home in Atlanta, Georgia, driven by a deep, unshakable desire to find her place in the world. Like many young souls searching for meaning, she packed her bags and followed a quiet whisper that led her to Costa Rica — a place she had never been, but somehow felt called to.

She arrived in the lush, coastal town of Uvita 29 years ago. What she found here wasn’t just the breathtaking landscape of rainforest and ocean — she found family. A warm, local Costa Rican family welcomed her with open arms, and to this day, they are still her chosen home.

For years, Annie worked as a tour operator in San José, sharing the beauty of this country with visitors. But even long before that, nature had already planted a seed in her heart. As a teenager, she felt a powerful connection to the earth — to its rhythms, its silence, its voice. And little by little, that connection became the center of her life.

But paradise, as she would learn, is fragile.

As Uvita began to attract the attention of developers — who saw dollar signs in the form of hotels and gated communities — Annie saw something else: a threat to everything she had grown to love. Forests, wildlife corridors, and sacred land stood in danger of being cleared and broken apart.

It was then that her true purpose revealed itself. Annie became a fierce advocate for conservation. She stood up — often alone — to fight against destruction and to protect the natural soul of this place. The journey has not been easy. She's faced opposition, threats, and many moments of fear. But Annie has never backed down.

Today, she leads Osa Vive, a grassroots movement built on pure environmental activism. Through this project, Annie has united a growing group of volunteers and awakened a strong sense of community in Uvita. People know her, respect her, and are inspired by her relentless courage to speak up, even when it’s hard — especially when it’s hard.

As Annie says, echoing the wisdom of a man who once moved her deeply:"To see the problem and do nothing, is to remain part of the problem."

Her story reminds us that one voice, rooted in truth and love, can spark change. Annie didn’t just find her place in the world — she became a guardian of it.