Description

The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is situated at the extreme southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. With its unique combination of climate and geographical location, it ranks among the most beautiful nature reserves in Costa Rica.

Cabo Blanco, holds a special place in the history of National Parks in Costa Rica. It was the first protected area of the country, established in 1963.

The reserve has 1250 hectares of land. It extends one kilometer from its shoreline protecting the surrounding water and marine life. Since the times of the Conquistadores it has been known as the "White Cape" because encrusted guano covers the rocks in dry season. This sea bird sanctuary, off limits for visitors, is inhabited by large numbers of brown pelicans, frigate birds, laughing gulls, common terns and Costa Rica's biggest community of brown boobies birds. Brown Boobies are spectacular divers, plunging into the ocean at high speed. They mainly eat small fish or squid which gather in groups near the surface and may catch leaping fish while skimming the surface. Although they are powerful and agile fliers, they are particularly clumsy in takeoffs and landings; they use strong winds and high perches to assist their takeoffs.

Volunteers will stay in a wooden dorm house a 100 meters away from the rangers house. The dorm building has 4 bathrooms, 2 toilets and a hand wash area with a cover solar dryer. There is a total of 6 bedrooms with 2 bunk beds in 4 bedrooms and 3 bunk beds in the other 2 bedrooms. There is electricity and drinkable water. At the ranger house, is located the living and meal areas. The common area has a TV with a DVD player and a library.

Highlights

Costa Rica is a country that has in its small territory, about 5% of the planet's biodiversity, with the advantage of this natural treasure comes the protection by the National System of Conservation Areas, covering 25% of the national geography . There are 160 protected areas, of which 27 have been designated as national parks. Other areas are designated under different management categories such as wildlife refuges, biological reserves, national monuments, forest reserves, wetlands and protected areas. The Costa Rican progressive environmental policies and eco-tourism in the National Park System have been taken as a model of development in other countries.

According to the digital magazine, Eroski Consumer, Costa Rica ranks third as one of the most ecological countries in the world. This release is based on the results of the Environmental Performance Index 2010 from the Colombia and Yale Universities in the United States. Costa Rica was ranked third for its natural wealth, which allows it to survive, in large part, off of eco-tourism. It has also avoided deforestation, which has devastated other Latin American countries and, therefore, scored well in foresting agriculture and fishing categories.

However, despite the fact that Costa Rica has a strong natural resources and conservation policy, supporting the protected areas there is a strong lack of staff because government can not afford to keep each place actively operating and adequately supplied with enough personnel.

This placement needs volunteers to protect one of the last remaining areas of dry tropical forest in transition to wet tropical forest in Costa Rica. Development of a program of maintenance for the park's trails is also crucial. They are important because:

1- on the Cabo Blanco island exists the greatest number of brown booby birds in Central America
2- it was the first protected area that was implemented in Costa Rica.
3- it is a place of transition between dry forest and wet forest.
4- it contains the most important pelican population of the Nicoya Peninsula.
5- it is a clear example of forest regeneration.
6- there is a healthy population area for the conch sea shell called Cambute and an important reproduction area of the nurse shark.

Qualifications

The Cabo Blanco Reserve has three stations, Cocalito, San Miguel, and Cabuya, and volunteers may be assigned to any one of these three. The tasks involved include the following:

* Repair and maintenance of the entrance road to the sector Estación Biológica San Miguel. This work is difficult, involving moving rocks to refill the road. Some portions of the road will also use cement. This work has to be done very frequently because the rain often destroys the road.
* Repair of trails for vistors to the Puesto de Cabuya. Work here is also hard and volunteers must walk 3 kilometers every day. The work includes making drainpipes, fixing and building bridges.
* Maintenance of the bridge at the entrance to the Administration Area. This bridge is located along a sharp bend and every year rocks must be moved so that the water does not harm the bridge.
* Planting of native plants, maintenance of green areas, and repairing trails.
* Assisting at the park entrance, tourist information and attention.
* Green cleaning house volunteers.
* Clean the beach.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2,595 for 4 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Volunteers to perform these tasks should be people older than 18 years old with basic knowledge of Spanish. They should be very dynamic people with an appreciation for nature.

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998