Volunteer opportunities with Akazul: Community, Conservation & Ecology, on Guatemala’s Pacific Coast - 2013

Background Information

Akazul: Community, Conservation & Ecology is a UK registered not for profit Community Interest Company (CIC) and has been operating its sea turtle conservation project in La Barrona, Guatemala since 2011. Akazul’s mission is “To utilise Guatemala’s sea turtles as a ‘flagship’ species, engaging coastal communities in conservation practices through science and education.” La Barrona is one of Guatemala’s key nesting sites utilized by olive ridley and a declining number of leatherback sea turtles and key to our long-term goal is conducting monitoring activities on the turtle nesting beach in order to further our understanding of Guatemala’s sea turtle populations. As well as sea turtle monitoring, Akazul provides a range of educational activities and community initiatives which are critical in encouraging local support for conservation.

Duties

Volunteer activities are mostly sea-turtle based (1^st July –December 31st) and activities include:

• Conducting nightly beach patrols, (minimum 4 hours per night)
• Assisting in scientific data collection and monitoring of nesting sea turtles
• Hatchery management activities including egg burial, hatchling release and post-hatching nest excavations
• Assisting in various community based conservation activities including, environmental education classes, capacity building workshops, social surveys and learning local skills
• We encourage volunteers to be proactive and are happy to discuss any potential project or research ideas you may have prior to arrival.

In 2013 we will be continuing to develop a number of successful community initiatives which volunteers are encouraged to help with, including;

• Sea turtle stewardship program
• Saving sea turtles through football
• La Barrona sea turtle festival

Requirements

Relevant experience / qualifications are helpful but not necessary. The most important requirements are to have an open mind, and to be enthusiastic and hardworking.

• Volunteers must be prepared to live and work in rustic conditions
• Much of the work will involve walking long hours on the beach at night, so volunteers must also have a good level of fitness and be prepared for sleep disruption
• In order to gain maximum benefit from project participation, we advise volunteers to make a minimum time commitment of four weeks (although we will consider shorter- term volunteers)
• Volunteers need to support themselves financially throughout their stay and are responsible for making their own travel and insurance arrangements
• Volunteer experience is greatly enhanced with a basic understanding of the Spanish language. There are many good schools offering language courses in Guatemala, including in and around Antigua, Xela and Lago de Atitlán.

Benefits/Costs

Volunteers need to support themselves financially throughout their stay. Volunteers are asked to pay a $50 (USD) registration fee prior to arrival at the project. This fee is used to help cover administration fees and the cost for volunteer materials including t-shirts and project guidebooks.

To stay at the Akazul project building costs $40 (USD) a week exclusive of food. To stay with a local family costs between Q75-Q100 ($10-$15 USD) a day including three meals. Please contact us for more information.

Additional Contact Information

Akazul: Community, Conservation & Ecology

34 Honiton Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 3ED, UK.

e-mail: admin@akazul.org
web: www.akazul.org