Period
The project runs from April 15th to September 15th, 2012.
Location
The project takes place in two different locations: Natural Reserve Estero Padre Ramos, Nicaragua, and Biosphere Reserve Jiquilisco Bay, El Salvador.
Background Information
We strongly believe that communities are fundamental to long-term sea turtle conservation efforts. By working closely with local community members that depend on turtles for their livelihoods, we harness their vast knowledge of these creatures and thus maximize conservation efforts. Most threats to hawksbills are related to human activities and by working with these stakeholders to actively generate socio-economic alternatives we convert former turtle “poachers” in turtle heroes, while providing direly needed economic benefits to families in need.
The volunteer program was also initiated to extend the unique opportunity to participate in our work to the public, while also moving the program towards financial sustainability. Volunteers are critical to the success of the project, serving as personnel to ensure improved conservation efforts, while also generating funding essential to local community members and the project.
Volunteer contributions also assist in building a sense of local pride and increasing awareness, demonstrating the importance and benefits of protecting hawksbills and marine resources in general. Aside from working directly with the turtles, volunteers also have opportunities to get involved in other local ecological and social issues, providing unique cultural and educational experiences for both volunteers and locals alike.
Duties
Turtle volunteer duties include:
* Nightly watches (around four hours) to observe nesting turtles and emerging hatchlings. On the night patrols, you will find sea turtles and help to protect their nests from illegal extraction, learn to identify turtle tracks and handling adult turtles, which include restraining, measuring, applying flipper tags, and checking for injuries.
* Sunrise surveys by boat are conducted to count and recover nests not encountered during night patrols. During the trip staff visit all the remarkable places where nesting activity occurs around the program area to ensure all events have been quantified. Typical length: 1-2 hours. This is a optional activity for volunteers were patrolling the night before.
* Morning/Afternoon Hatchery shift: 8 hours. Three shifts per day. People involved in hatchery shifts during the day will have the option participate in night patrols as well. There, you’ll assist local leaders to gather scientific data and care sea turtle nests: relocate the eggs to our hatchery, count the number of eggs and camouflage the nests.
* Excavation of hatched nests to know the reproductive success and test our methodology.
*Beach cleaning and hatchery building.
*Cleaning the equipment used during the night patrol and preparing the bags for the next shift.
*Environmental education activities (workshops, school classes, recreative dynamics).
* Keeping volunteer facilities clean.
* Releasing baby turtles into the ocean.
Requirements
• Physically in good condition and good health
• Minimum age of 18
• Travel & Medical insurance
• Being able to work in remote areas under basic conditions
• Available to volunteer for a minimum of 1 week
• Able to converse in Spanish is advantageous, but not a requirement
Applicants are not required to have prior experience working with sea turtles because during the first days you will receive a full training in biology of sea turtles and field methodology. We are looking for people self-motivated, conservation-minded, and able to get along well with others. A positive attitude, diligent work ethic, and a love for the outdoors are a must. Any health problem must communicate before making any application.
Safe and basic accommodation is available with our newly established eco-tourism conservation programs at both project locations. The turtle conservation projects at these sites have functioned for multiple years, but the volunteer opportunities are new. Shared rooms with 2 or 3 volunteers maximum per room. Private rooms available as well for additional fee.
Benefits/Costs
The cost of participation is as follows (US Dollars):
• 1 week $280
• 2 weeks $525
• 3 weeks $750
• 4 weeks $950
• Additional $200 x week
This fee includes:
• Pre-departure orientation.
• Welcome meeting and arrival orientation at the project office.
• Three full meals a day
• Accommodation
• Training course on sea turtles by long term experienced staff).
• Support: In-country team & 24 hour emergency support
Remind: volunteering on our program is hard work; an opportunity to make a difference, participate in scientific research, and meet new people.
Additional Contact Information
dmelero@hawksbill.org
This project does have fees. Do you think $30US a day is reasonable for food and accommodation and participation in a well organized program?