Turtle Conservation Project in Sri Lanka

  Sri Lanka

Galle

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round

Description: Located in Kosgoda (15 miles south of Galle ), the Turtle Conservation Project is the ideal program for nature-loving volunteers interested in conservation efforts. Due to the Tsunami disaster of December 2004 resulting in a tragic loss of equipment, this particular project is still suffering significant, infrastructural damage. Additionally, the crippled turtle populations have been greatly diminishing due to the destruction of coral reefs and marine pollution. Volunteers' assistance is urgently needed for various types of conservation work (on different levels) including monitoring turtle activity , creating informational resources, and rebuilding damaged facilities .

Highlights: As a volunteer, participants will feed and clean the turtles as well as their environments, simultaneously monitoring and releasing baby turtles from the hatchery. Volunteers will also monitor turtle egg-laying, soon followed by relocating the just-hatched eggs to a safe nesting area. Participants will also assist in creating and maintaining a database of turtle statistics. Volunteers duties also include rebuilding the damage which resulted from the Tsunami which includes:

* rebuilding turtle tanks
* repairing the visitors' houses
* developing informational resources and tourist souvenirs
* conducting tours around the project.

Qualifications: Volunteers do not require any specific qualifications to volunteer in the turtle conservation project. But volunteers should have a deep love for nature and conservation.

Cost in US$: starts $ 748

What does language and cultural fee cover?
Language and cultural courses
Food and accommodations for 7 days
Training materials: books, paper, orientation package, TV, video, trainer, etc.
Local sightseeing/tourist site arrangements
Recreational activities
Village stay/host family
Cultural programs and additional activities
Travel related expenses (one week orientation)
Insurance

What program fee does not cover?
Airfare, Visa and Visa extension fee
Transfer to airport, airport taxes
Any personal expenses
Mineral water and soft drinks
Gifts to project staffs and host family
Laundry, Telephone, Immunization

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 or above

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Sri Lanka Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Institute For Field Research Expeditions's Mission Statement: The mission of our volunteer abroad program is to offer meaningful volunteer abroad opportunities for volunteers and to seek sustainable solutions for education, health, conservation, and development issues through international volunteering. We hope to achieve this goal by offering community orientated volunteer programs where the efforts of our volunteers go directly to the poor people and their communities. Many grass-root organizations working in developing countries are poor in resources. These organizations are doing a commendable job to address development, education, health, and conservation issues by launching a variety of programs but these organizations are in a great need of help and support. IFRE promotes these local organizations by making donations and sending volunteers.

Year Founded: 2005