Nicaragua Conservation - Chacocente Wildlife Refuge

  Nicaragua

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Year round, monthly departures

Description: Fauna & Flora is a UK-registered charity which acts to conserve threatened specific ecosystems world wide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, and are based on sound science and take account of human needs.

Founded in 1903, Flora and Fauna International is the world's longest established international conservation body. Its remit is to protect the entire spectrum of endangered plant and animal species on the planet. It provides support to conservation initiatives throughout the world, in the form of partnerships, technical assistance, direct funding and consultancy. Although volunteers will be working at Chacocente Wild Life Refuge, Fauna & Flora works along the entire Pacific coast in Nicaragua.

Highlights: We follow up in different fields of investigations such as restoration programs for conservation, flora and fauna management, data collectors on different species like turtles, monkeys, migratory birds, and endemic species. We are working toward a community development in tourism, where the locals learn to respect and protect their natural habitat. Volunteers will assist in monitoring the sea turtle arrivals and egg hatchings, help with the sea turtle hatchery programs and participate during beach cleanup days. For groups, data collection, waste management and reforestation is also a possibility.

Qualifications: Volunteers should love animals and nature. A willingness to "rough it", i.e. to sleep in a tent with the basics. There is no electricity and drinking water comes from a town nearby. Volunteers will be enriched with the beauty of Nicaragua, as they spend hours in the wilderness. Flexibility and a willingness to take on a number of different tasks is also encouraged.

Cost in US$: $1715 USD for 4 weeks; $135 for any additional week

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of Custom

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded: 1998