Costa Rica Volunteering-Conservation-Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve

Description

Minaet is the government institution in charge of the enviromental issues in Costa Rica

Why does this organization need volunteers?

Costa Rica is a country that has in its small territory, about 5% of the planet's biodiversity, with the advantage of this natural treasure comes the protection by the National System of Conservation Areas, covering 25% of the national geography . There are 160 protected areas, of which 27 have been designated as national parks. Other areas are designated under different management categories such as wildlife refuges, biological reserves, national monuments, forest reserves, wetlands and protected areas. The Costa Rican progressive environmental policies and eco-tourism in the National Park System have been taken as a model of development in other countries.
According to the digital magazine, Eroski Consumer, Costa Rica ranks third as one of the most ecological countries in the world. This release is based on the results of the Environmental Performance Index 2010 from the Colombia and Yale Universities in the United States. Costa Rica was ranked third for its natural wealth, which allows it to survive, in large part, off of eco-tourism. It has also avoided deforestation, which has devastated other Latin American countries and, therefore, scored well in foresting agriculture and fishing categories.
However, despite the fact that Costa Rica has a strong natural resources and conservation policy, supporting the protected areas there is a strong lack of staff because government can not afford to keep each place actively operating and adequately supplied with enough personnel.
This placement needs volunteers to protect one of the last remaining areas of dry tropical forest in transition to wet tropical forest in Costa Rica. Development of a program of maintenance for the park's trails is also crucial. They are important because:
1- on the Cabo Blanco island exists the greatest number of brown booby birds in Central America
2- it was the first protected area that was implemented in Costa Rica.
3- it is a place of transition between dry forest and wet forest.
4- it contains the most important pelican population of the Nicoya Peninsula.
5- it is a clear example of forest regeneration.
6- there is a healthy population area for the conch sea shell called Cambute and an important reproduction area of the nurse shark.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

The Cabo Blanco Reserve has three stations, Cocalito, San Miguel, and Cabuya, and volunteers may be assigned to any one of these three. The tasks involved include the following:
1. Repair and maintenance of the entrance road to the sector Estación Biológica San Miguel. This work is difficult, involving moving rocks to refill the road. Some portions of the road will also use cement. This work has to be done very frequently because the rain often destroys the road.
2. Repair of trails for vistors to the Puesto de Cabuya. Work here is also hard and volunteers must walk 3 kilometers every day. The work includes making drainpipes, fixing and building bridges.
3. Maintenance of the bridge at the entrance to the Administration Area. This bridge is located along a sharp bend and every year rocks must be moved so that the water does not harm the bridge.
4. Planting of native plants, maintenance of green areas, and repairing trails. 5. Assisting at the park entrance, tourist information and attention.
6. Green cleaning house volunteers.
7.Clean the beach.

Requirements:
Volunteers to perform these tasks should be people older than 18 years old with basic knowledge of Spanish. They should be very dynamic people with an appreciation for nature.

Requirements

Language

English

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.

Cost (per person)