Biodiversity Work with the Indigenous People of Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
Talamanca

Description: Talamanca is Costa Rica's most beautiful and biologically diverse region. The area is covered in dense rainforests which are home to a vast array of native wildlife and no where is this more visible than in the Kkldi Indigenous Reserve. Boasting nearly three million raptors, the reservation is thought to have one of the most concentrated populations of these birds on the planet and is gradually developing a reputation as a top eco-tourism destination. During your time here you will have the opportunity to get involved with a variety of activities including reforestation, monitoring raptor migration and trail maintenance. Many of the people that you will be working with belong to the indigenous tribes that live throughout the Talamanca region and this will give you the perfect opportunity to observe the local culture. Though traditional dress has long been disregarded, many of Costa Ricas indigenous people continue to uphold the ancient beliefs and customs of their ancestors and it is your exploration of this unique culture that will make your time here so special.

Highlights: Project details:
These are scientific based projects are based in biological reserves in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica. One reserve was established and set up the Wakka Koneke - an indigenous organisation of the Bribri. They initiated a series of conservation research and community development projects in the Kekoldi indigenous reserve including monitoring the migration of raptors, resident and migratory bird communities, iguana restoration, reforestation, land acquisitions and community ecotourism. The other is concentrating on protecting the watersheds which in turn protect the endemic species of both flora and fauna that overlap with the coastal coral reef habitats.

Field research has demonstrated that the Talamanca Caribe corridor is among the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. The main aim of the reserves is to help develop various reforestation projects and recover degraded areas in and around the area.

Why the project needs volunteers:
With deforestation being one of Costa Rica's largest environmental threats, a huge effort is now being made by both national and private reserves across the country to preserve what remains. Much of the work at these reserves is dependant on having the necessary labour. This is not to say that it would not get completed without i-to-i volunteers, but it would certainly take much much longer!

Your role as a volunteer:
There are a large number of conservation activities that you could get involved with. Typical examples of activities could include: monitoring migration of raptors, migration of birds and frogs as well as reforestation activities and trail maintenance.

Where the project is based:
The reserves are based in Talamanca, approximately 150kms from San Jose. You will be staying in the research station located on the reserve. Kekoldi is a great place to study nature. The special relationship that the Bribri people have with their environment has inspired the development of many different types of field studies opportunities. The immense biodiversity of the area in addition to the added richness of the migratory wildlife makes the Kéköldi Reserve and Talamanca in general so incredibly valuable to conservation ecology and scientific research.

You will not have access to internet or international telephone but will be able to get to a local town for these during weekends.

You will need to arrive into San Jose Santa Maria (SJO) airport on your arrival date.

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
This project welcomes anybody with a strong interest or background in the sciences. You will also need general fitness and lots of enthusiasm to get the most out of your placement. Volunteers need to be ready to take on any tasks that may be required of them, and to get dirty in the process!

Cost in US$: $1401.80

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 500 projects on 5 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, media, health, conservation, building, marketing or tourism.

Year Founded: 1994