Volunteer Romelia

  Costa Rica

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All Year

Description: REFUGIO MIXTO DE VIDA SILVESTRE ROMELIA (R.M.V.S.R)

Romelia is a mixed wild life refuge, located on the south of the Nicoya Peninsula, near the town of Montezuma.
Founded by Albert S. Ingalls III, on November 1998, this area is a tropical dry forest in transition to rain forest. Though R.M.V.S.R is in a regeneration process, you can find trees like Espavel, Sonzapote, Ojoche, Guácimo, Jobo, Guarumo, Indio Desnudo, Pochote, Guayaba de mono, and since MR. Ingalls reforested a big portion with in danger species, you can enjoy trees like Cocobolo, Cachimbo, Ron Ron, Guachipelin and others.

Since Romelia it's a part of the Peninsula wild life corridor, you can be lucky and find some wild animals like: green turtle, hawksbill turtle, bull frog, common basilisk, squirrels, deer, monkeys (howler and white faced), coatis, agoutis, coyotes, ocelots. Also you can find a big range of birds like: Long-tailed Manakin, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Ringed Kingfisher, Elegant Trogon Black-headed, Squirrel Cuckoo, Red-lored Parrrot, Orange-fronted Parakeet, White Hawk, Brown Pelican among others.
On the other hand, we have a grape plantation, which was MR. Ingalls 35 year investigation project, on how to create a hybrid that will be resistant to the tropical climate of Costa Rica.

The area is approximately 290 hectares, they include about 4 kilometers of pristine beaches with good waves for surfing, amazing rivers and creeks with crystal clear waters that make this refuge an amazing experience. Some secondary forest and the rest is forest in regeneration

R.M.V.S.R is also part of the "Corredor Biològico Peninsular" (Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, Curú Mixed Wild Life Refuge, Nicolás Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve and Karen Mogensen Wild Life Refuge.)

At Romelia, we are committed to preserve this area as pristine as it is, so that future generations get a chance to enjoy nature in its wild. Also, will reinforce in conservation projects as see turtle nesting. Planting more wild fruit trees to increase the wild animal population and control the hunting for agouti and deer.

Romelia is located in a critical area, as most of its forest was devastated for cattle farms in the past, now days the area faces the threat of indiscriminate tourism development that endangers the fragility of the ecosystem.

NEEDS AT ROMELIA

PROTECTION PROJECTS:

* Establish a project to protect turtles
* Minimize hunting
* Research on who is intoxicating the rivers for fishing.
* Creating and maintenance of signs for general public
* Tree nursery
* Improve our records on species inventory
* Formulate workshops to teach school kids about conservation practices and recycling programs

Daily Work:

* Cleaning of Volunteer lodge and communal areas
* Cleaning of the building "Torre de Babel"
* Weeding outside the housing area
* Helping with vineyard
* Give maintenance to the refuge limits.
* Beach cleaning
* Food Nursery
* Patrol the area to avoid unwanted people in the private areas.
* Help the cook
* Help getting the groceries to Romelia
* Inspection patrols to entire area
* Afternoon patrols to control if they are any fires (including bum fires) or campers

The manager will supply you with a list of duties weekly.
You are espected to work 5 hours a day minimum, some times, more it depends on the season.
Some duties may change.

Facilities at Romelia

Romelia has a couple cabins that used to be home the founders Gitza Gatti and Albert S Ingalls III.

* One cabin with 3 bunk beds, and linens
* One bathroom and two showers outside of the cabins.
* Kitchen with utensils to cook and dining area
* NO REFRIGARATOR
* Lounge area with hammocks and chairs.
* NO ELECTRICITY AND NO TELEPHONE

Contribution:

We ask $15 USD per day/per person
This will include lodging in hostel type accommodation and meals.

We serve costar Rican traditional food (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Costar Rican food is base on rice and beans with eggs, vegetables, chicken, pasta and fruit.

In addition, a surf school provides with surf lessons and board rental if interested.

Highlights: Romelia wild life refuge is in the beautiful country of Costa Rica, located 40 minutes on foot from the cozy town of Montezuma, this refuge is a deligh as there is no electricity and no streets you can enjoy of the fullness of nature.
Plus we have 4 kilometers of amazing pristine unexploited beaches with waterfalls that fall into the ocean,amazing sunrises and sunsets, good waves for surfing, wide variety of animals and trees makes this place a piece of paradise.

Qualifications: Looking for nature lovers!
We are seeking for interns that have a minor in management of natural resources, biology or any other that has to do with nature conservancy.
This to create volunteer programs; help apply for grants and species listings

Also interested on individuals who are nature lovers who want to come and volunteer to put our project on the go.

We rather have college students!

Cost in US$: 15 per day

We serve costar Rican traditional food (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Costar Rican food is base on rice and beans with eggs, vegetables, chicken, pasta and fruit.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: 21 and over, nature lover, self motivated, hard worker, easy going, friendly, humble.

Age Range: 21

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and 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 of 5

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Refugio Mixto de Vida Silvestre Romelia's Mission Statement: Refugio Mixto de Vida Silvestre Romelia (R.M.V.S.R) Romelia is a mixed wild life refuge, located on the south of the Nicoya Peninsula, near the town of Montezuma. R.M.V.S.R is also part of the Corredor Biologico Peninsular (Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, Cur Mixed Wild Life Refuge, Nicols Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve and Karen Mogensen Wild Life Refuge.) At Romelia, we are committed to preserve this area as pristine as it is, so that future generations get a chance to enjoy nature in its wild. Also, will reinforce in conservation projects such as sea turtle nesting and planting more wild fruit trees to increase the wild animal population and control the hunting for agouti and deer.

Year Founded: 1998