Empowering Through Butterfly Farming

Since 1984, CRES has been committed to build a resilient network of small-scale conservation projects in rural Costa Rica dedicated to butterfly farming, while advancing conservation and economic empowerment in their local communities.

Our dream lives on...

As a social enterprise, CRES recognizes the potential of small-scale butterfly farming to empower families in rural communities in Costa Rica, enabling them to preserve butterfly habitats and develop sustainable livelihoods.

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Currently there are 85 farms affiliated to our network, but over the years, CRES has helped over 200+ small conservation projects, encouraging community involvement and stewardship for the environment.

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Total land area dedicated to butterfly farming and protection of natural habitats from all affiliated small-scale conservation projects affiliated to our network (~ 370 acres)

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Since 1984, CRES has worked hard to offer a fair-trade business platform for all farmers who want to be part of our network. 

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Over the years, more than 36 rural communities across Costa Rica have benefited from butterfly farming 

Our Social Aspiration

To serve as a collaborative platform for all Butterfly Farmers in Costa Rica so they can thrive in sustainable butterfly farming, international trade, and successfully consolidate their small-scale conservation projects in their communities.

Butterfly exhibitions supporting

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Our Network of Breeders

Our most significant accomplishment lies in the consolidation of a resilient network of small-scale conversation projects dedicated to butterfly farming

This network forms the backbone of our operations, allowing us to consistently deliver high-quality pupae and earn a reputation as the most reliable supplier in the country. Thanks to this collaborative model, Costa Rica has been able to meet the increasing demand for neotropical butterflies from exhibitions worldwide.

Geographical distribution

Our breeders are located in 36 communities in 6 different conservation areas across Costa Rica, taking advantage of the varying climates to breed the native butterfly species from each region.

Each conservation area provides different resources to each community, according to the ecosystems. This enables the high variety of species and solid consistency of pupae availability that we can offer to all our customers. 

Our Pupae Supply Service

Our pupae supply service is the backbone of our social enterprise.

With four decades of experience and continuous client interaction, we have designed a reliable supply service that has become the benchmark in the industry. 

This service is fundamental to our social enterprise, acting as a driving force to provide economic support to breeders and CRES.

Wings of Metamorphosis = Conservation in Action

Our contributions to lead the revolution of sustainable butterfly farming in Costa Rica aim to implement sustainable practices across all butterfly farms, working closely with renowned experts in the field to ensure a lasting positive impact.

Regenerative Farming Practices

With agroecology experts, develop solutions for non-toxic fertilizers and pest control solutions that help breeders generate farm soils and ensuring optimal nutrition for the plants used to feed the larvae.

Upgrade Breeding Infrastructure

Facilitate the upgrade of essential infrastructure that impacts the quality and efficiency of pupae rearing. These includes rearing cabinets for larvae, enclosures, plant nurseries, and more.

Our Team

Iliana Cascante (Ily)

Operations Supervisor

Ily oversees staff operations at CRES, leads our breeder relations program, and manages the logistics that keep our exports running smoothly.

Maureen Arguedas (Mau)

Export and QA Lead

Mau leads our export and quality control efforts, ensuring each shipment is carefully inspected, packed, and monitored throughout its journey.

Dayanna Alvarez (Daya)

Accounting & Export Assistant

Daya supports our export, accounting, and breeder relations programs through vital administrative coordination and attention to detail.

Sergio Siles

Commercial Manager

Sergio serves as our commercial manager and social strategist, aligning commercial goals with social impact to guide the growth and direction of our enterprise.

Maria Gerlinde Blaese

European Representative

Maria Gerlinde applies her 25+ years of expertise in the industry to assist our European butterfly exhibits that work with us. She is located in Waldesch, Germany. 

Joris Brinckerhoff

Founder & President

Joris is the founder and President of CRES, acting as our guiding compass for the long-term goals of our social enterprise

Stay informed

Stay up-to-update with the work we do, our achievements, and opportunities to support the network of small-scale initiatives that are supported through butterfly farming. 

What's New with CRES

Our blog offers insights into the key initiatives, stories, and impact areas that define CRES’s work.

Get in Touch

Contact CRES

Reach out to us for collaboration, inquiries, or pricing for pupae!

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