This refuge is one of the best researched sites in Costa Rica, the living laboratory of Dr. Alexander Skutch, who studied the ecology of his farm for over 60 years.
Skutch mentions in his book: A Naturalist in Costa Rica, “I longed for a place where I could study the life of nature at my leisure without being interrupted by anyone or feeling like an intruder”. And this site holds a life philosophy that leads visitors to reflect on the work of Dr. Skutch, a philosopher, naturalist, botanist and ornithologist by dedication. With more than 35 books and 300 articles, he established parallels between human beings and nature. This forest preserves the essence of the Naturalist and his sense of appreciation.

The petroglyph located in Dr Alexander Skutch-Los Cusingos Bird Refuge was reported as an archaeological site by researcher R. Drolet in 1986. Subsequently, it is documented within a petroglyph classification work conducted by Zilberg (1986). The information related to it is still very scarce, and although its design has been associated to the Chiriquí period (800-1500 A.D.), there are still no materials directly associated with it or information about the immediate context in which it is found.
Among the engraved motifs, images of saurians are repeated eight times; this is not common in petroglyphs, but it is common in the iconography of ceramics and gold. These animals have been related in different studies with the underworld and Sibö.
 
 
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It is one of the most important bird watching hotspots in southern Costa Rica, where about 80 species of native and exotic plants attract a great diversity of birds.
It was one of Alexander Skutch’s favorite sites for bird research, considering the variety of colors, sizes, shapes, smells and flavors of the flowers, fruits and seeds available in the garden.
The gardens are also frequented by agoutis, coatis, troops of white-faced monkeys and other mammals, which take advantage of the fruits and fill the garden with life. In addition, it is possible to observe a large colony of zompopas, contrasting colors of blue morpho butterflies and even one of the smallest orchids in the world (Plastystele tica) in our native orchid module.