Description

Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in the following activities:
* Receive training in working with marine turtles.
* Mount nightly protective beach patrols to protect marine turtles.
* Aid in beach cleaning activities
* Identify and record turtle trails.
* Look for and find turtle nests.
* Count the eggs and relocate them to a more secure location (nursery).
* Monitor turtle nests.
* Aid the baby turtles in their return to the ocean.
* Aid in taking the temperature of the nests.
* Aid in biometric measurements (length and width).

Highlights

The sea turtles that come to the beaches of Costa Rica have been poached for years. Many of these turtles are now on the endangered species list and if efforts to preserve these turtles are not implemented some types of sea turtles will become extinct.

The turtle nesting season here lasts from March to May.
There are numerous reasons volunteers are needed; three of the reasons in the forefront are:
* To make the community of Gandoca aware of the need for, and to bring them to aid in, the protection of the marine turtles that come to nest in their community.
* To begin and execute a methodology of control and protection of the marine turtles.
* To promote educational activities within the Gandoca community and neigboring communities, in order to incorporate the social activists in activities that contribute to the protection and recovery of the environment.

This placement needs volunteers because the community members on their own cannot handle the amount of work needed to protect the numbers of sea turtles which nest at Gandoca. Sea turtle populations thrived until recent times. Human interference has become the main cause of recent declines; anthropogenic activities impact every stage of their life cycle. Historical and modern threats to species survival include direct harvest, mortality associated with fisheries and other factors, and damage to nesting and foraging habitats. The inclusion of all sea turtles on endangered species lists reflects past exploitation and the need for better management. Direct harvest is historically the biggest threat because the impacts do not become evident until the population of the nesting beach has become dangerously close to extinction. At least 20 to 40 years can pass after harvesting begins before the number of females nesting on a beach annually starts to decline. It can appear that a population is stable and abundant when there is a large aggregation of nesting turtles, but this does not reflect reality. In theory, small harvests could be sustainable, but in practice nesting ground harvests are difficult to control and interfere with reproduction. Turtle habitat is being eliminated by human environmental modification. On nesting beaches habitat is lost through unregulated coastal development, structures have caused erosion to be exacerbated and access of turtles to beaches to be impeded, and nesting and nocturnal sea finding abilities are disrupted by artificial lighting. Pollution such as oil, plastics and non-biodegradable debris and industrial urban waste and agricultural run-off all degrade turtle habitats.

Qualifications

Not essential background but the ability to work in a tropical environment, good health, and a desire to aid in the conservation of marine turtles, and natural resources in general.

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
• 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

Group work and proactive person.

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