Sea Turtle Conservation Project - Ranong Province, Thailand

  Thailand

• Phuket: 
Phuket

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Year round

Description: Fifty years ago, sea turtles thrived on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand, but today their numbers are dwindling rapidly. Founded in 2003 with support from the nearby Ranong Coastal Resources Research Station, this project is based on a biosphere reserve established to protect the most extensive mangrove forests remaining in Thailand. In addition to restoring the turtle population in the area, the project plays an important role in generating local understanding of the value of nature and its conservation, with the aim of actively involving the community in the protection of turtles and nesting sites.

Volunteer Responsibilities
You will help the research team monitor the beach for turtle nests, learning how to identify turtle tracks, find nesting turtles, and record tag numbers. When not working with the turtles, you can help care for macaques and gibbons at the nearby wildlife rescue center.

Highlights: Volunteers live in small huts near the work site. Rooms will be shared with two to three fellow volunteers. Bathrooms, showers and kitchen facilities are provided along with three meals a day. The work site also has internet access and satellite television.
The project is located about an hour from the town of Ranong in a very remote location near Baan Talae Nork, along the Andaman coastline.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be physically fit and able to walk or hike long distances. Team work is essential to this project, so working well with others is a must. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have an interest in wildlife conservation. An educational background in a related field (such as marine biology research) is preferred, but not required. Certain vaccinations are required before joining this project, your Greenheart Travel coordinator will give you more details.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Greenheart Travel's Mission Statement: Greenheart Travel is a division of the Center for Cultural Interchange. Founded in 1985, the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development and world peace. Greenheart is CCI's way of promoting the health and welfare of the earth and its people through cultural exchange, ethical travel, responsible consumerism, and community service.

Year Founded: 1985