Costa Rica Conservation - Playa Matapalo Sea Turtle Project

  Costa Rica

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: ASVO is a non-profit NGO which places volunteers in Costa Rica's national parks and protected areas. ASVO's objective is to improve the conditions and amount of volunteer work performed at a national and international level, without age, sex or professional distinction. ASVO places volunteers in national parks and other areas protected by the Ministry of Environment and Energy all over the country.

Volunteers are needed at this placement to help protect the endangered marine turtles found at Playa Hermosa and proctect the coastal-marine resources of the area. The Matapalo Sea Turtle project needs volunteers to help protect the sea turtle nesting area of Playa Mata Palo, to help increase the number of sea turtles nesting successfully on the beach and the number of hatchlings which survive.

Highlights: Volunteers will participate in many activites, including, but not limited to:
From June 1 to November 30:
1. Construction of the breeding grounds.
2. Beach signaling.
3. Patrol walks to protect nests, females and for data collection purposes(Biometry, marking, etc.)
4. Transfer of nests and monitoring of the breeding grounds.

From December 1 to December 31:
1. Registry of breeding ground information.
2. Liberation of newborn turtles.
3. Nest exhumation.

From June 1 to December 31:
1. Maintenance and construction of infrastructure.
2. Beach cleaning.
3. Community projection.

Qualifications: The volunteer should be able to work in hot, humid conditions, be prepared to walk 15km daily, be in good health, and have a desire to help in conservation. Patience, motivation, dedication are important qualities to have if you are working on this project. People who do not enjoy physically demanding work may have difficulty with this project.

Cost in US$: $1850 for 4 weeks; $165 for each 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.

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

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

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