Community-based Hawksbill Volunteer Conservation Project

Volunteer to help us conserve one of the most endangered sea turtle populations on the planet. There truly is not a more rewarding sea turtle conservation program opportunity than this!

This volunteer project was initiated with the aim to extend the unique opportunity of volunteers participating in the protection of hawksbill turtles. The project’s objective is to examine the population dynamics of the hawksbill turtle on the most important hawksbill nesting beaches of the eastern Pacific Coast. The sea turtle monitoring program runs in the hawksbill nesting season from April till September 2012.

This unique volunteer program is one of the best opportunities to participate in a small-scale based conservation project. We strongly believe that communities are fundamental to the long-term conservation of sea turtles. By working closely with local community members who depend economically on the conservation of turtles, we harness their knowledge and maximize conservation efforts.

Applicants are not required to have prior experience working with sea turtles. During the first days of your stay, you will receive a full training in biology of sea turtles and field methodology. We are looking for people who are independent, self-motivated, conservation-minded, and who are able to get along well with others. A positive and hard-working attitude and a love for the outdoors are a must. You should be reasonably fit, able to walk for several hours on the beach.  Any health problem must be communicated before making the application. Minimum age: 18. Basic Spanish skills are a plus.

Upon arrival at the project site, volunteers will be introduced with a brief project orientation and training, before being
immediately involved in conservation activities. Volunteer duties and activities include: Beach patrols to encounter, measure and tag nesting hawksbill turtles; egg collection for relocation to project hatcheries;  monitoring of project hatcheries: nest burial, temperature measurements, hatchling release and post-hatching nest excavations; early morning boat patrols of the estuary to document hawksbill nesting that might have been missed during the previous night patrol.

Aside from working directly with the turtles, volunteers also have the opportunity to get involved in other local ecological and social projects, providing unique cultural and educational experiences for both volunteers and locals.

The participation fee is as follows(US Dollars): 1 week $280; 2 weeks $525; 3 weeks $750; 4 weeks $950; additional $200
per week.

The participation fee includes: Pre-departure orientation (information package); Welcome meeting and arrival orientation at the project office; Three full meals a day; Accommodation (a safe and comfortable volunteer house); In-country orientation/ training (turtle biology and conservation) by experienced staff members; In-country team & 24 hour emergency support; Registration fee.

Are you 18 years of older, physically in a good condition and do you have heart for turtles? Join us and participate in one the most exiting turtle volunteer programs of the eastern pacific coast!

For more information and how to apply, visit our website http://www.hawksbill.org/volunteer.html or email us volunteers@hawksbill.org.