Description

ASVO (Association of Volunteers for Service in Protected Areas)is a Costa Rican organization that is dedicated to maintaining and preserving national parks, communities and beaches throughout Costa Rica. The organization was started in, was founded on January 27, 1989 in the response to the growing realization that although Costa Rica is renowned for their natural resources and biodiversity, there was very little awareness around environmental protection by many people who lived in Costa Rica. Originally focusing on the preservation of national parks, the program eventually expanded to include sea turtle conservation, community education and habitat identification.

ASVO is a non-profit and non-governmental organization whose mission is to promote the importance of preserving the environment by operating a number of grass-root conservation projects and conducting a variety of educational workshops throughout the country. Over the years environmental issues such as deforestation, species extinction, forest fires, and climate change have been addressed by the members of ASVO as they have worked to expand their programs through the country.

ASVO places volunteers in national parks and other areas protected by the Ministry of Environment and Energy all over the country. The organization currently has stations in twenty-eight different locations all over Costa Rica, from Corcovado in the south to Guanacaste in the north. These projects are divided into four categories: Wildlife Refuges, Education and Communities, Sea Turtle Projects and National Parks.

The Matapalo Sea Turtle project needs volunteers to help protect the sea turtle nesting area of Playa Mata Palo, to help increase the number of sea turtles nesting successfully on the beach and the number of hatchlings which survive. The types of turtles which will be encountered on this project are largely green turtles, carey turtles and hawksbill turtles, with the occasional baula (leatherback turtle) as well. Poaching is a major problem in this area of the coast as well. The project works closely with the national coastguard (they sometimes have supper at the project!) to ensure that communication is open and as much security as possible is being provided to both turtles and to volunteers. Without the help of volunteers to keep the beaches clean and tidy, keep the hatcheries running, and to observe and document types of arrivals of turtles, the majority of turtles nesting on these beaches would fall prey to poachers. Volunteer presence is key to the survival and propogation of these species of turtles.

The project is extending their efforts to promote community awareness and interaction through projects with the clinic, schools, and other local people. They are always open to new suggestions, fresh ideas from people willing to implement them.

For a biology or conservation internship, the project would incorporate the volunteer as a coordinator. In order to do this, the individual will need experience in the field, and be fluent or intermediate in Spanish. An undergraduate or higher degree in biology or eco-management would be preferred. This individual will need to make a commitment of 3 months or more.

Tasks would include supervision and direction of the below items.

From June 1 to November 30:

1. Construction of the breeding grounds.

2. Beach signaling.

3. Patrol walks to protect nests and females, and for data collection purposes(Biometry, marking, etc.)

4. Transfer of nests and monitoring of the breeding grounds.

From December 1 to December 31:

1. Registry of breeding ground information.

2. Liberation of newborn turtles.

3. Nest exhumation.

From January to May:

1. Building of hatchery

2. Sifting sand for debris

3. Beach maintenance

4. Turtle patrol

From June 1 to December 31:

1. Maintenance and construction of infrastructure.

2. Beach cleaning.

3. Community projection.

Coordinators will get 4 – 5 days off in a row, once a month depending on the day’s schedule. The house will also change according to the number and type of volunteers present at the project. Expect to do night patrol for at least two hours every night or two.

Must have an ability to work in hot, humid conditions; be in good health, prepared to walk 10 km daily; and possess a desire to help in conservation.

Must have a degree in a related field to biology and conservation. Preferably have had previous experience organizing volunteers or other large groups.

Patience, motivation, dedication

Great interpersonal skills, highly organized, motivated by the desire to conserve endangered species.

Those in poor health or who do not enjoy physical work. Those who are not comfortable speaking to large groups of people or interacting with others in a supervisory role.

URL: http://www.basecampvolunteerabroad.com/sites/bc-volunteer-abroad/place_details.cfm?pl_id=813
Tags: conservation, Costa Rica, volunteer, volunteering
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