Costa Rica Trip Leader

Maria Quas

Maria grew up in Romeo, Michigan, spending much of her time in the forest, exploring nature. She embarked on a career at JP Morgan as an Investment Associate and left the finance industry after feeling a personal calling towards environmental advocacy. Maria moved to Montauk, New York, working with Concerned Citizens of Montauk (CCOM), a water monitoring program, assisting in the mission to ensure the health of water bodies through sustainable water quality programs. Maria also volunteered at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, joining the mission to preserve and protect the region’s native wildlife through rehabilitation services and public education.

In 2024, Maria studied abroad in Costa Rica. During her semester abroad, she gained experience in ecotourism, focusing on minimizing environmental impact by traveling in a responsible and sustainable manner. She volunteered at Finca Agroecológica La Flor, a non-profit farm located in the highlands of the Central Valley, Costa Rica. The organic farm offers a hands-on education in agroforestry, teaching volunteers about the intentional integration of tree systems in crop and animal farming, along with socio-economic benefits for the local community. After graduating in 2025 with her BS in Psychology, Maria continues her education in Ecopsychology through her involvement at Reserva Bosque Libre, a Costa Rican tropical forest reserve, leading ecotours for university students with Helen Temple, PhD. The tours emphasized a culture-centered Costa Rican experience, focusing on environmental protection policy and sustainability. Maria is passionate about learning and teaching environmental education, with the intention to strengthen the relationship between human beings, animals, and the environment.