Sea Turtle and Sloth Conservation

About the program

This wonderful project was created with the goal of helping to preserve the amazing sea turtle. The Turtle Conservation Program works to conserve the future of this majestic creature, which through decades of indiscriminate human plundering, has been drastically reduced in number to a point where it is now on the endangered species list. Sadly, without the help of widespread conservation efforts, including environmental, research and re-education programs, the great sea turtle could be lost forever. Working with several of the main species of sea turtles to inhabit the Pacific, the main focus of this project is to protect and nurture the clutches of eggs laid across vital beach nesting grounds during the nesting and hatching season (June - February) and work on conservation and research projects at other times. The aim is to create safer nesting grounds, increase understanding and ensure more hatchlings make it to the Pacific Ocean to allow for the continuation of the species.

Additionally the program uses volunteer resources to monitor local sloth populations to protect and preserve this important animal.

Goals of this Project:

• To save the sea turtle from extinction
• Work on projects to improve the environment for nests and to make the hatchlings journey to the Pacific Ocean safer
• Research these wonderful creatures so a greater understanding of how to save them can be gained
• Monitor and protect local sloth populations
• Enable interaction between international volunteers and their local hosts.

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Volunteer's role

Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Nightly beach patrols
• Preparing and maintaining the turtle nursery
• Monitoring the nursery 24/7 in nesting season
• Hatchling release
• Beach clean-up
• Reforestation activities
• Monitor and protect local native species including sloths, parrots, macaws, alligators and more (during off-season)
• Cleaning and maintenance of the project living areas

Nesting season on the Pacific Coast, where this program is located, occurs from June to November. Hatchlings are released in large numbers from October to January.  Smaller numbers of turtles nest either side of these dates. March - July is the off-season.

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Requirements

Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years (17 with parental consent) and over who wish to give their time and energy to help protect and conserve the native wildlife of Costa Rica.

This project is best suited to those who are reasonably fit and able as it does require walking on the beach for extending periods and may involve carrying heavy sand bags and other physical tasks. However, the project is open to all and does not require participants to have specific education, qualifications or experience, as you will be shown everything you need to know by one of local project leaders. Importantly though, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!

What to bring:

• Dark clothing (including a black jacket)
• Red-light headlight or torch (for beach patrols - normally available at the centre but you may wish to bring your own)
• Rainwear
• Good walking shoes
• Alarm clock (battery powered) and a wristwatch.
• First-aid kit
• Insect repellant
• Towels - quick dry are ideal
• Waterproof Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Lightweight clothing
• A jacket for cool evenings
• Mosquito net
• Personal hygiene items
• Books, music, guitar, paints, cards, games
• Spanish pocket dictionary

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