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.

Volunteers are needed to help protect one of the most important marine environments in the area and its important coral reefs. This park is the home to an incredible marine ecosystem and without preservation efforts could be destroyed.

Ecotourism is of prime importance to this park.

Volunteers can help with the following tasks:

1. Maintenance of the park’s trails.

2. Cleaning and protection of camping areas.

3. Maintenance of park facilities, which may include hosing down bathrooms/showers.

4. For those who speak Spanish, dealing with the public.

5. Cleaning and collection of garbage from the beach and camping areas.

6. Helping out at other nearby parks, by helping build turtle egg hatcheries or other infrastructure.

A typical work week at this placement is Monday to Saturday. Sundays are usually the only days that volunteers are not needed to work. If a volunteer would like to take a two day weekend this can be arranged with the placement coordinator upon arrival.

Volunteers typically work 6 hours a day at this placement. Hours will vary based upon the types of projects required and weather.

The volunteer must be prepared to work in a hot, humid climate.

Must have patience, motivation, dedication.

Those who do not like hot temperatures, rural settings, or physical work may have a hard time on this placement.

URL: http://www.basecampvolunteerabroad.com/sites/bc-volunteer-abroad/place_details.cfm?pl_id=247
Tags: conservation, Costa Rica, volunteer, volunteering
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