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Title | Playa Tortuga Conservation Volunteer Project, Costa Rica |
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Description |
Live in a tropical rainforest reserve on the Pacific coast, and take part in sea turtle research and monitoring, butterfly and bird research, reforestation, mammal monitoring, sea otter research, water quality studies, environmental education and more. Individuals, groups, students doing research and families all welcome. The ProjectVolunteers work within a non-profit biological research and education centre, and all food, lodging, training and research will take place within the reserve. Projects run all year round, except for the sea turtle programme, which runs from July to January only. Volunteers will take part in the projects below:
Sea Turtle Conservation ProgrammeOn the South Pacific beaches of Osa Costa Rica there are 4 potential species of sea turtles which can be seen nesting at different times of the year Lora (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). They are all in danger of extinction. Playa Tortuga beach is an olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting beach although it is possible that other species occasionally arrive. The nesting period extends from July to December, with the peak of nesting in the months of September and October, during this period it is possible to observe an individual, every other night. Sometimes two or three. In the past two seasons we have successfully protected over 140 nests and released 5,000 plus hatchlings, each nest contains on average 100 eggs. A percentage of nests are moved to the nursery/hatchery where they are observed and protected 24/7. In the hatchery important data about the biology of the turtles nests' is gathered, such as the incubation period, nest temperature and how this influences the sex of the hatchlings, as well as observing environmental factors such as precipitation and physical environmental factors. Responsibilities:
Neotropical River Otter ProjectThe aim of this project is to study the habitat uses and dynamics of the Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis). Otters are characterized as having home ranges primarily on healthy rivers passing through dry forests and rainforests. As such, this project works closely with the river quality testing project, and is conducted in the same regions. Volunteers will: • Obtain evidence of the presence of river otters in the Balso river. Mammal Inventory ProjectWithin the Reserva, there are more than 11 species of mammals - the most common being raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, weasels, River Otters, Tayra and Monkeys. Capuchin Monkeys are easy to find into the Reserva forest, others such as Anteaters, Oposums, and Sloths are also common in the area but hard to observe. There is also evidence of an Ocelot (detected by trail cameras) in the Balso River. The trail cameras are an excellent tool to determinate the presence, abundance and the density of mammals in the area. The mammals are important for the forest dynamic balance, and by getting data on their behaviour (diet) and local movements offers information that can be used in reforestation plans for the coastal area to establish Biological Corridors. Environmental Education ProjectThe necessity for future generations to understand the importance of environmental conservation and natural resources management is essential. It is part of the Reserva's core mission to educate and actively involve the youth and community at large in these areas ,through conducting workshops and activities for children and their families from schools in the region. All the running projects at the Reserva have been projected into environmental education programs, through lectures, guided tours, field trips and volunteering with schools such as Tortuga Elementary School, Puerto Nuevo Elementary School, Flor de Bahía Elementary School and Escuela Verde. We have also made site visits to several schools of the schools of Cortes district, Punta Mala, and San Isidro, where we have conducted participatory workshops and field trips. To this end, we have proposed an Environmental Education Program, which consists of a yearlong curriculum of modules based on the different conservation projects and natural resource management projects that Reserva is currently working on. As such, the school children of the Térraba Grande Circuit are vital participants in our efforts to create and ensure a healthy coastal environment managed by a population with a strong sense of the importance of long term eco-sustainable development and management of natural resources. Volunteers will have an the opportunity to be part of the workshops, prepare materials, make crafts, conduct and work with children of the schools during the workshops, and participate in the maintenance of our Butterfly garden, data collection, care of pupae, feed and release butterflies, as well as the opportunity to help us care for the plants.
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