Description

International volunteers will participate in a program to protect the marine turtles, working in tight collaboration with the local population of the beautiful virgin Colola beach on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The project aims to ensure the reproduction of the turtles and preservation of the species for the future. There are two species of turtles arriving to this area: the Negra (Black Turtle) and the Golfina (Olive Riddle Turtle). The people involved in the project will help by collecting eggs, burying them in the turtle camp, taking care of the baby turtles and collecting some statistical data.
Groups of international volunteers will be involved in the project as staff members, which means that they will be very involved in the project and the work.
The goal of this project is to protect the turtles and to help run preservation activities focused on protecting endangered species, at the same time promoting international cooperation and international solidarity.

The main work consists in collecting turtle eggs, burying them again in a secure place, and getting the baby turtles back safely to the sea. This must be carried out at night since the turtles do not go out of the ocean during the day (because of their natural predators, it is safer for the turtles get out of the ocean in the dark). In collaboration with local indigenous people from Colola, the volunteers will seek for the turtles and take care of the eggs and the baby turtles. Locals are very friendly and working with them is very pleasant as they explain to the group what to do.
We need very motivated volunteers who really want to get involved in the work for protection of the turtles and are willing to interact with the local people and their culture.

There are also some extra activities to be done with the local people in order to help improve the town such as setting names to the streets or helping to arrange a multi-purpose playground for the children, and maybe some cleaning tasks, but this depends on the volunteers' initiative. The local people are very open to participate in other activities and the volunteers can also propose their own initiatives, so your ideas are welcome.

Colola is a small town located on the Michoacan State coast, between Maruata and La Placita towns. It's a remote place that offers an excellent opportunity to be close to nature, on a virgin beach, with no tourism around. The closest city is Tecoman at 200 kilometers, but other villages such as La Placita that are closer (45 minutes by bus) can offer Internet connection.

There is an extra fee of 210 Euro for participation in this workcamp, intended to support the hosting organization.

Qualifications

Very motivated volunteers who really want to get involved in the work for protection of the turtles are needed for this project.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD 290

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Marine Conservation
• Wildlife Surveying

Typical Volunteer

Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range

18 and over

This Program is open to

American and Canadian Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement

CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.