Sea Turtle Project - San Miguel - Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

San Miguel

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Our 2008 project in San Miguel is from July 7 to December 20.

Description: Situated on the north-central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this town of roughly 100 is right on the beach. San Miguel has a small grocery shop and several open-air restaurants, as well as potable water, and electricity. The project site is not located in a typical tourist area and project participants are usually the only non-locals in town.

Living conditions are simple and volunteers should be prepared to live under these same conditions. Participants should also be aware that people in these communities have different cultures and standards of living than those one might be used to, it is important to have an open mind, be adaptable and bring a positive attitude.

The area is home to extraordinary natural beauty. Spot monkeys, armadillos, anteaters, iguanas, lizards, parrots, frogs and of course turtles. Just a few of the activities available include hiking to the high outcrops at each end of the beach, visiting mangroves, swinging in a hammock, reading and surfing.
The team

Two researchers, who are either advanced students or recent graduates in biology or a related field , coordinate all project activities. Community members, who know the beaches and turtles maybe better than anyone, are trained as "Beach Monitors" and assist in nightly patrols and data gathering. Finally, volunteers such as yourself provide sufficient personnel to patrol the beach and ensure the protection of the highest number of nests.

Participants come from all over the world to assist with PRETOMA's conservation efforts and stay in San Miguel anywhere from one week to five months. We recommend a minimum stay of 2 weeks to really get to know the project and community members of San Miguel. Working in such a tight knit and unique situation, team members often forge strong bonds with one another, leading to friendships that last a lifetime!

Highlights: Since 1998, PRETOMA has collaborated with locals in the town in the monitoring of nesting activity and the operation of hatcheries to guarantee the efficient protection of nests and the production of hatchlings. Members of the community are hired as field assistants and environmental education activities are held with the children in town.

Since the project was initiated in 1998, international and local participants have tagged, measured, and protected the nesting turtles on this beach. As a result, more than 50,000 hatchlings have been protected and released to the sea, and the poaching rates have dropped from almost 100% to around 10%.

Furthermore, the project benefits the small economy of San Miguel. The few shops and restaurants welcome the influx of project participants during the nesting season.

Qualifications: All are welcome. Volunteers learn techniques on site and thus needn't be biologists or turtle experts. Volunteers should have an interest in protecting endangered sea turtles, living and working with other volunteers from around the world, and getting to know the people, the surroundings and culture in a small coastal village in Costa Rica.

Cost in US$: From $330 for 1 week. $210 for each add'l week.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

PRETOMA's Mission Statement: PRETOMA is a Non-Profit NGO, established in 1997, with headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica. Our organization is made up of biologists, naturalists, conservationists, and citizens concerned over the plight of the sea turtles and the marine habitat in general. Our mission is to protect, conserve, and restore, the populations of sea turtles and sharks that use the marine environment of Costa Rica to nest, feed, or migrate. We seek to protect the diverse habitats along the Central American isthmus and international waters upon which turtle populations depend. Our volunteer projects are designed to: 1. Teach participants about the condition of endangered sea turtle populations 2. Give participants hands-on experience in helping restore turtle populations in Costa Rica 3. Allow volunteers to work directly with locals in coastal communities and experience their culture 4. Help build an international community of youth and people of all ages dedicated to responsible use of marine resources and protection of marine ecosystems. 5. Provide economic alternatives to coastal community members.

Year Founded: 1997