***Please
note***- There are risks involved in "do it yourself
volunteering" where by you apply to volunteer direct
and miss out a sending company. Please research a company
thoroughly prior to applying and get feedback from past
volunteer participants.
Five
Placement
Organisations -
Amigos
de las Aves - Wildlife Conservation
ASVOCR - Community Work
La Tortuga Feliz - Turtle Conservation
Rainforest
Biodiversity Group - Conservation & Community Work
Rainsong Sanctuary - Wildlife
Projects
Amigos
de las Aves is a Costa Rican non profit organization dedicated
to the conservation of the two endangered species of macaws
found in Costa Rica, the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) and the
Great Green or Buffon’s Macaw (Ara ambigua).
The
breeding centre for Great Green and Scarlet Macaws and also
the Refuge, is situated in Alajuela, and is where all the
'release' birds come from. This is where the chicks are
raised, the home of the breeding birds, and the birds awaiting
release.
This
is also the site of the Refuge Centre, where local species
of birds are kept. Some of these birds are taken from the
wild by poachers and most are confiscated by MINAE . Some
of these birds are seriously traumatised, unable to cope
with living outside of a small cage, but we endeavour to
make their remaining life as comfortable as possible - although
some are really beyond help.
You
will be 'person Friday' - feeding birds, maintaining aviaries,
making toys, observing behaviours, moving birds, monitoring
nestboxes, environmental enrichments, observing babies,
walking dogs, washing, cleaning, scrubbing, perching, improving
aviaries, feeding and playing with the refuge birds and
more.
Contact
Website: www.hatchedtoflyfree.org
In this
program, the participants can contribute with the conservation
efforts in the country and at the same time, get to know
the health of each Protected Area. Besides, it is an excellent
alternative for the holidays or days off.
This
program also allows each student to complete their Community
Work (from school or College) in a National Park. The minimum
participation time is 15 consecutive days; each person chooses
the Project in which he wants to collaborate and the starting
date.The
participant needs to pay a fee to cover for his meals. The
occasional volunteer program is open all year long, but
the sea turtle projects depend on the arrival of the cetaceans.
It
is very important for any participant in the program to
let us know of any medical condition, such as allergies,
special medications, if he is vegetarian or, any other consideration
from a health and safety perspective. That
information will not limit the participation in any way
but it will allow us to take the right actions and prevent
any situation on your welfare and satisfaction's benefit.
It is also very important to know that you need to have
medical insurance to participate in the program.
Short
and long term placements are available.
Contact
Website: www.asvocr.org
E-mail:
info@asvocr.org
Phone: (506) 258-4430 • (506) 223-4260
Fax:
(506) 223-4518
Address:
P.O. Box: 11384-1000 Costa Rica - Our office is located
on San José, Paseo Colón. Street 36, between 3th and 5th.
Avenue.
La Tortuga
Feliz is a non-profit organization whose main goals are
the protection of sea turtles and the improvement of the
living conditions and education of the local inhabitants.
The
project is situated on an isolated Caribbean beach in Costa
Rica, 1 km north of the mouth of the Pacuare River. It covers
10 km of coastline and has a total surface of 800 hectares.
The
beach is part of the 50 km stretch between Tortuguero National
Park and the harbour of Limón. The area is not only unique
in every way, but is also famous as being the nestingsite
where the four largest spieces of Marine turtles (Leatherback,
Hawksbill, Loggerhead and the Green Turtle) come to lay
their eggs.
Contact
Website: www.latortugafeliz.com
|
Rainforest
Biodiversity Group
|
The
Rainforest Biodiversity Group is looking for people with
an interest in volunteering in Costa Rica from October to
the end of December. Volunteers will help build infrastructure
within 6 newly established nature reserves to prepare them
to be a part of Costa Rica’s newest nature tourism venture,
the Costa Rican Bird Route.
Work
will entail creating and/or maintaining trails, constructing
benches and cabins, posting signs, assisting with the implementation
of specific Action Plans written for each site, helping
gather information for the creation of brochures which includes
wildlife observations, and other various tasks.
There
is also the possibility of getting involved with local environmental
education efforts. Detailed site profiles are currently
be created. Free board can be provided by all of the sites,
but only three of the six sites are able to cover food costs
for the volunteers. At these locations, volunteers should
expect to pay a small amount to their host for food costs.
All other expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer.
A stipend will not be able to be provided.
We are
looking for individuals who are able to commit to a minimum
of four weeks to a given site. Our goal is to place two
volunteers at each site, but 2 of the sites only have living
accommodations for one volunteer. Couples are welcome to
apply. We
are looking for people with Spanish speaking skills, construction
experience, a spirit of adventure and a serious interest
in having an effect on rainforest conservation and sustainable
tourism development.
If you
would like to be a part of this exciting project that will
preserve important rainforest habitat, please send a cover
letter and resume to Holly Robertson of the Rainforest Biodiversity
Group.
Contact
Website: www.greatgreenmacaw.org
E-mail: holly_robertson1@yahoo.com
Phone: 011-506-387-3607
Address: Rainsong Sanctuary Apdo. 182-5361, Cobano
de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Since
March of 2005 we have been taking in injured or abandoned
wildlife. We have also treated and released numerous animals
& birds
Those
with permanent handicaps are being cared for in comfortable
habitats. We spend many hours each day caring for the wildlife
in the rescue center. The volunteers help us with this.
We are continually in the process of clearing brush, landscaping,
and building more animal habitats for the hospital and breeding
areas.
We have
a tremendous amount of work to do, and usually have 2-6
volunteers helping. We can always use more, so please contact
us if you would like to help. Our project is unique, so
you will have the pleasure of knowing that your efforts
have had a major impact on a world renowned project. Volunteers'
tasks are assigned according to their talents and preferences.
Contact
Website: www.rainsongsanctuary.com
E-mail: rainsongwildlifesanctuary@gmail.com
Phone: 011-506-387-3607
Address: Rainsong Sanctuary Apdo. 182-5361, Cobano
de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
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