Volunteers and projects for the Support of the Conservation Areas

                        Volunteers and Projects

                        for the support of Conservation Areas

A volunteer is an individual who dedicates his time and actions to following an ideal, whose only reward is having contributed to the improvement of the quality of life and to the environment of one's peers.

                        Mission

"Volunteers and Projects for the support of Conservation Areas" is a program which collaborates with the Costa Rica National System of Conservation Areas. It allows those interested the possibility of knowing and supporting national parks, biological reserves, wildlife refugies, forest reserves, and others.

Principal Activities

Promote the participation of both national and foreign individuals in volunteer programs within specific projects and activities, in which they may not only collaborate, but also acquire knowledge of the country's biodiversity.

                        Models of Participation

1-National Volunteers:

A-Organized Groups:

These are made up of groups belonging to high schools, universities, and other insitutions looking to develop specific projects within a protected wilderness  area, carrying out activities such as the repair and construction of trails, maintenance of buildings, beach clean up and other activities.

B-Professional Practices:

This is space geared toward advanced students who wish to complete their professional practice (TCU) in a protected wilderness area by carrying out an environmental investigative project, or teaching, social, architectural, or ecotourism projects -- or any other project that may have as its objective and designed area of study the assigned zone or area.

C-Regional Groups: 

These groups are those located near a protected wilderness area who wish to contribute by supporting and protecting the zone. These are therefore encouraged to meet together as a group in order to receive training in such fields as environmental education, protection, and service to the public, among others.

These groups provide support on weekends, vacation times, and other free days throughout the year.

2-Foreign Volunteers:

This includes individuals or organized groups that belong to high schools, universities, academies, and other institutions that develop specific projects within a protected wilderness area in diverse programs, which may include: the protection of sea turtles, repair and construction of trails, maintenance of buildings, beach clean up, and other activities.

A-Individual Participation:

This is that in which the volunteer may execute a TCU-type project, or collaborate with different Programs and activities established for the area, such as: the monitoring of species of flora and fauna, protection and control of sea turtles, and support for the daily activities of the protected wilderness area.

B- The carrying out of support projects within the field of investigation on a short- or long-term basis within the fields of biology, ecology, environmental science, and many others, such as the study of flora and fauna, support capacity of a national park, environmental impact studies, low density studies, and others.

           TIME PERIOD FOR PARTICIPATION

           The minimum time period for participation is two weeks. In the case of investigative projects, the time will depend on the project itself (minimum of one month).

PROTECTED WILDERNESS AREA IN WHICH ONE MAY DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE

Each participant will be given options regarding areas which are requesting volunteers in order to choose their preference. A list of specific projects will also be supplied to the participant, with the duration and area in which projects may be carried out so that the interested person may choose according to his/her expectations.

TIME PERIODS IN WHICH ONE MAY PARTICIPATE

Projects and activities are available throughout the year.

For more infomation, contact Cecilia Mesén at:

Telefax: (506) 2222-74-57

E-mail: voluntarioscr@racsa.co.cr

Office: San José, between 6^th & 10^th Ave, on 30^th Street, House # 651, in front of San Judas Tadeo High School.

Or Clara Padilla at.

Telphone ( 00506 )- 2253-76-80, fax: (00506)-2253-76-83

E-mail : cpadilla_wcscr@racsa.co.cr.

Office:  1^st Entrance to Los Yoses, 50 m South of the Los Yoses Building, Office #3.