Protecting the Marine Turtles at Colola

  Mexico

• Pacific Coast: 
Tecoman

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: March 12 - March 31, 2008

Description: The program for protecting the Marine Turtles is run since 1996 together with the Michoacan University and the local people of Colola Beach. This year again the international volunteers will work with the people of Colola village to protect the sea turtles. There are two kinds of turtles that arrive on the beach, the Negra (Black Turtle) and the Golfina (Olive Riddle Turtle). The people involved in the project help by collecting eggs, burying them in the turtle camp, taking care of the baby turtles and doing some work collecting statistical information.

In this frame, a group of international volunteers will be involved in the project as members of the staff, which means that the volunteers will be very involved in the project and the work.

The goal of this project is to protect the turtles and to help run the conservation activities of the protection turtle program promoting international cooperation and solidarity.

The main work consists in collecting turtle eggs, burying them again in a secure place, and transporting the baby turtles safely to the sea. This will be carried out at night since the turtles do not get out of the ocean during the day (because of their natural predators, it is safer for the turtles go out of the ocean in the dark). Together with the people from Colola Village, the volunteers will seek for the turtles and take care of the eggs and the baby turtles. Local people, who are very friendly, work with the group and explain them what to do.

There are also some extra activities to be done with the local people in order to help improve the town such as setting names to the streets of the town or helping to arrange a multi-use playground for the children, and maybe some cleaning work, but this depends on the volunteers' initiative. The people of the town are very open to participate in other activities that the group of volunteers can propose, so any ideas will be welcome.

Colola is a small town located on the Michoacan State coast, between Maruata and La Placita towns. It's a remote place that offers an excellent opportunity to be close to nature, on a virgin beach, with no tourism around. The closest city is Tecoman at 200 kilometers, but other villages such as La Placita that are closer (45 minutes by bus) can offer Internet connection.

There is an extra fee of 210 Euro for participation in this workcamp, intended to support the hosting organization.

Qualifications: Very motivated volunteers who really want to get involved in the work for protection of the turtles are needed for this project.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP is an independent, non-governmental, non-religious, not-for-profit Canadian organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through various youth initiatives, Cadip promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: " To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution " To strengthen the international contacts among young people " To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings " To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world " To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills " To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning " To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.