Playa Tortuga Conservation Programme, Costa Rica
An opportunity for volunteers to live and work in a biological research and education centre on the Pacific Costa Rican beach reserve of Playa Tortuga. Projects involve: olive ridley sea turtle research and monitoring, mangrove reforestation, flora and fauna inventories, water quality testing, working in the butterfly garden education project and environmental education in the local community.
Where?
Playa Tortuga is located just 3.5 hours from San Jose, in Ojochal de Osa on the Southern Pacific Coast Of Costa Rica. The Reserva offers an ideal environment for reseachers and volunteers. It is located in the tropical rainforest and just outside of 
Marino Ballena National Park. This park is named after the humpback whales that migrate there from August – October and December – April. Three species of dolphins are also commmon visitors to the waters. Visitors can explore miles of deserted beaches, mangrove forests and coral reefs.
The Project
Volunteers will work alongside 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 Programme
- Mangrove Reforestation
- Flora and Fauna Inventories
- Water Quality Testing
- Butterfly Garden Project
- Future projects
Sea Turtle Conservation Programme
On 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.
Training
As part of our volunteer programme, you will have the opportunity to learn about the biology of sea turtles, especially the Pacific Olive Ridley or 'Lora' (Lepidochelys olivacea) which is the most common on Playa Tortuga. You will see adults, babies and eggs, and learn about its life cycle. By helping this project you will be part of a serious scientific research project, which provides important data for the conservation of sea turtles. Upon arrival, volunteers will receive training about the research project in which they are participating, how to use the equipment, and what work they will do as well as proper behaviour in the field. The volunteer groups will always be working with experienced staff, who will be able to show volunteers proper scientific methods for working with turtles, hatchery work, handling nesting females, eggs and data collection.
Responsibilities:
- Care and protection of Hatchery and Camp
- Cleaning and maintenance of the Beach (Playa Tortuga)
- 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.
- Night patrols on the Beach- Turtle and Poacher Monitoring
Mangrove Reforestation
Mangroves are a fountain of life for marine and terrestrial animals and a very important filter system for pollutants and sediment. Volunteers will work alongside project scientists and other community organisations in the reserva and areas around the Tortuga River to analyse the ecological relationships that exist between the mangroves and adjacent areas. You can take part in conducting studies of forest/mangrove recovery/re-growth time. Volunteers also take part in reforestation activites with local schools.
Flora and Fauna Inventories
Volunteers will take part in flora and fauna inventories - one species for every day of the week - frog monitoring, land bird inventories, aquatic bird inventories, beach bird inventories, mangrove monitoring, fauna photography sessions and data analysis/reports preparation. The inventories are being conducted so that we may gain a clearer understanding of the biodiversity of species in and around the Reserva. It aids us in resources management and helps us identify potential study areas and species in need of conservation/protection work.
Water Quality Testing
Extensive work is being done in this aream- testing sites can include Terraba River, Tortuga River, Balso River, local streams, the Ocean (pollutants, changes in salinity, temperature, sedimentation), and homes in the Ojochal area. Studies of special importance are the effects of uncontrolled black and grey waste water, pesticides- pineapple plantations, banana plantations, and palm industry. Another study of paramount local and worldwide importance is - the effects of plastic - in the ocean and in local freshwater sources.
Butterfly Garden Project
The objectives of the Butterfly Garden project is the investigation of native species of butterflies (Siproeta stelenes, Caligo memnon, Heraclides thoas, Dryas iulia) in the reserve and all aspects of their reproducative cycle and plant foods. Environmental education workshops will also take place, whereby members of the local community will visit the garden and volunteers will help to conduct education tours and classes. Volunteers can also help to develop workshops for local schools.
Future Projects
Future projects may involve: Research on otters in Ojochal, the state of their and the population dynamics. In addition, there are plans to carry out research on the Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) to determine their foods, number of individuals, population viability, and so on. Volunteers would also take part in these projects once they are up and running.
2012 Dates
You can join for 1 week up to 12 weeks on any of the dates below:
24th February to 9th March 2012
9th to 23rd March 2012
23rd March to 6th April 2012
6th to 20th April 2012
20th April to 3rd May 2012
3rd May to 17th May 2012
17th May to 1st June 2012
1st June to 15th June 2012
15th June to 30 June 2012
30th June to 14th July 2012
14th July to 28th July 2012
28th July to 9th August 2012
9th to 23rd August 2012
23rd August to 6th September 2012
6th September to 20th September 2012
20th September 2012 to 4th October 2012
4th to 18th October 2012
18 October to 1st November 2012
1st to 15th November 2012
15th to 29th November 2012
Please email: Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for any questions with regards to dates, durations etc. - as we are very flexible with start/end dates if you wanted to arrive outside of the above dates listed.
Food & Accommodation
Volunteers live at the research centre - the property itself is on 42 hectares of reserve which borders the Pacific ocean and the Terraba. The facilities currently hold 15 people in the main centre, in addition to a private residence used for conferences and training. Facilities are of high quality. Volunteers live in large, spacious and clean rooms, all have fans and new orthopaedic mattresses. You also get free internet usage, 1 free laundry wash per week, a purified water system, education and a small research library area is also available for volunteers. There is a cook who will prepare three meals a day for the volunteers, and the food is of very good standard. We can accommodate vegetarians and vegans as long as you let us know in advance. Meals often include rice and beans, tortillas, salads, chicken, fish, beef, pastas, soups, cereals, sandwiches, cheese, fruits, veggies and fresh tropical juices.
Climate
Turtle Season (July-December) is rainy season here in the Southern Zone. The weather changes very rapidly. Humidity is very high (they don't call it rainforest for nothing!). However, we do get plenty of sun, it is frequently sunny until mid afternoon with rains coming in the afternoons for a few hours. Rains are often heaviest in September – and so are the turtles! By November and December we start to dry out and enter into our 'summer' dry season. Daytime temperatures range from the upper-70’s when overcast to low-90’s.
Working Conditions & Requirements
All volunteers should be at least 18 yrs old age. English is required and Spanish is very helpful, even if basic, but a small amount of Spanish would go a long way. A strong interest in conservation is required, as is good team work spirit and flexilibity. You should also be in good health and fit - you need to be able to work 2-3 nights per week (during turtle season) (rest the next day) and walk several kilometres on soft sand.
You will be allocated a free day every week, during which time you may decide to take surf lessons, photography lessons, go horseback riding, or explore one of many other local sights, or simply to use the day to rest. During the other six days of the week, it is expected that you will be fully engaged with the work schedule.
Costs
The cost for 1 week is £385 (£412 during turtle season), 2 weeks cost is £605 (£657 during TS), 3 weeks is £822 (£889 during TS), 4 weeks is £989 (£1057 during TS), 5 weeks is £1157 (£1225 during TS) and 6 weeks is £1325 (£1392 during TS). Please email Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for prices of other durations. This cost includes private, clean and spacious room, three meals a day, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, equipment (for patrols), guide during the volunteering, back up and support. Airfare and transportation to the project, lodging in San Jose, travel/medical insurance and personal expenses are not included in the cost. It is mandatory for you to take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of the project. Optional extras can include: Spanish lessons, surf lessons, photography lessons and horseback riding which can all be organised in the Reserva. There are also local shops and restaurants within walking distance.
How to get there?
Please email Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for more specifics. International flights to San José from Europe are usually either with American Airlines via Miami or with Iberia via Spain. Please remember not to look for San Jose in California, it is San José International Airport (Juan Santamaria) - code SJO. We can help to arrange your travel and accommodations in Costa Rica such as your hotel for the first and last night in San Jose, airport pick-up and drop off, and tickets (bus,air,or private shuttle) to and from the Reserva.
Feedback from ex-Volunteers
To read some feedback stories from volunteers who participated on this project, please click here.
To Apply
If you are interested in joining this project, you will need to fill out the online application form – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form with your deposit of £150. If for some reason, your application is declined, we will reimburse this deposit fully. However for those who are accepted, you will be required to pay the final balance 1 month before arrival. Once we have confirmed your place, you will receive an information package on the programme background and scientific objectives, your role as a volunteer, the work you will do, suggested items to bring, how to travel there etc. Upon arrival at the project, all volunteers are asked to sign a waiver/release of liability form.
