An Opportunity of a Lifetime-Volunteering in Costa Rica

Volunteers work with the endangered Olive Ridley, Leatherback Black and/or Green turtles along the gorgeous coastlines of Costa Rica. These species' populations are in sharp decline due to over-harvesting of eggs, beach development, fishing, pollution, and being killed for their meat and leather. The programs give you the chance to make an important contribution to the preservation of these species, assisting local communities who carry out conservation work and gaining first-hand knowledge into Costa Rica's biodiversity and culture. Volunteers provide support to biologists, biology interns and / or locals who are involved in managing the turtles nesting grounds. Volunteer work is varied and volunteers are able to develop a wide range of skills. Volunteers may take part in nightly beach patrols, monitoring nest temperatures, monitoring the hatcheries, digging nests, measuring beach profiles, and helping with reforestation. Volunteers work with a very poor local population as part of the project, in a very rural setting. The projects are located on gorgeous Pacific or Caribbean coast beaches, where swimming, surfing, and local culture flourishes.