Turtle Conservation Project - Caribbean Coast, Pacific Coast, Northwest Coast or Osa Peninsula

Project Summary

Millions of sea turtles return annually Costa Rican beaches to nest. Our volunteer project sites are chosen due to the influx of turtles to these areas. The nesting season for the different species of sea turtles varies, which is why we offer multiple sites and varying dates. Volunteer patrols of beaches/nesting sites helps protect turtles and eggs from poaching. Volunteers also gather valuable research information and newly hatched turtles. The turtles are either encouraged to reach the sea safely or they are collected so that they can grow stronger and be released at a later date.

Skills/Qualifications Needed

Project at A Glance Location: Caribbean coast, Pacific Coast, Northwest coast or Osa peninsula depending on the project Start Point: San Jose End Point: San Jose Duration: 2-12 weeks Hours: approximately 42-45 hours per week Food: Provided by the site Room: Depends on the site-most are in the biological stations. Date: First and Third Monday of each month, dates depending on the site. Caribbean: Gandoca-February 15 to August 15 Cahuita-February 15 to October 31 Tuba Creek beach-February 15 to August 15 Osa: August 15 to January 15 Guanacaste: September 15-January 15

• Volunteers need to be in good physical condition and to walk long distances (about 7-15 km per night) and be resistant to the hot and humid climate.
  
• No severe eyesight problems (work is at night with no artificial lights).
  
• No use of illegal drugs and no consumption of alcohol during working hours.
  
• Preferably non-smoking. Those who do smoke should do so only in open areas and never on nightly patrols.
  
• Be willing to work under difficult and uncomfortable conditions.
  
• Have awareness of mosquito and sand fly bite allergies.
  
• Speak fluent English.
  
• Must be at least 18 years old or have a parental letter of permission.
  
• Personal insurance (provided by IFRE).

Preferred Skills and Experience

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is appreciated Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping.

• Degree in biology, conservation or related subject.
• First-aid course or experience.
• Previous experience with sea turtle conservation efforts.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Typical night patrols run between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. even in the rain. An average patrol takes 4 hours, but if volunteers find turtles, it will take longer. Once a turtle is located, volunteers measure and tag the turtle. Eggs are then collected, relocated and the data is recorded.

Hatchery shifts take 6 hours. The tasks include relocating the nest, keeping predators at a distance, providing information to tourists, taking nest temperatures, measuring and releasing hatchlings.

Maintenance of trails and beach cleaning are additional volunteer duties.

Volunteers may occasionally be asked to work a longer than a normal shift due to extenuating circumstances. Depending upon the time within the nesting season, more time may be spent on one activity versus another.

Room/Food/Supervision

In Costa Arica, all volunteers stay with well-screened host families. Our host families are socially respected and are well versed in the art of hosting international volunteers. Host families offer a safe home, private rooms (occasionally rooms will be shared with other same-gender volunteers) and shared bathroom facilities with running hot water and a “western” style toilet. Volunteers have the ability to do laundry at the house or the host family may offer to do it for you for a nominal extra fee. You receive three prepared meals per day. If you will be out of the house during lunch hour, you can request a lunch "to go" that you can take with you or eat out on your own. Host families provide typical meals that are traditional to Costa Rica.

Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our volunteers every two weeks (when possible) and volunteers are always welcome at the local office. If project placement is local, we request that volunteers stop by the office once a week to keep us posted on how they are doing with their home stay and project. If project placement is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.