Playa Tortuga Conservation Programme, Costa Rica

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Live in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica and become a conservation volunteer working on a range of projects. Working within a non-profit biological research and education centre, there are four projects for volunteers to choose from:

• Sea turtle conservation programme
• Mammal inventory monitoring project
• Crocodilian monitoring
• Environmental education and butterfly project

Sea Turtle Conservation Programme

• 4 potential species of turtle to be seen nesting at different times of the year
• Opportunity to learn about the biology of sea turtles
• Be part of a scientific research project
• Assist project biologist with turtle data collection, monitoring (tagging) and management (including hatchling releases)
• Relocation of eggs to hatchery or safe location on the beach. This is done when it is determined that eggs are threatened by beach erosion, tides, excessive driftwood or poachers.

Mammal Inventory Project

• There are more than 11 species of mammal on the reserve
• Anteaters, Oposums & Sloths are common in the reserve
• Data on their behaviour and local movements offers information that can be used in reforestation plans to establish biological corridors.

Crocodilian Monitoring Project

• Collect infomation about the Crocodilians at the reserve (distribution, relationship with environment, human impact on their ecosystem)
• Consists of nocturnal monitoring by kayak or walking

Environmental Education Project

• It is part of the reserves core mission to educate and actively involve the youth and community through workshops and activities
• All projects have been projected into the environmental education project, through lectures, guided tours, field trips and volunteering with schools
• The aim is to create environmental awareness & stewardship among its visitors
• Be part of the workshops, prepare materials, make crafts, conduct and work with children of the schools during the workshops
• 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
• Basic level Spanish would be useful for this project