Wildlife Conservation Expedition In Costa… (trip)
Wildlife Conservation Expedition In Costa Rica
- Costa Rica
- Volunteer Vacations
“The difference with doing it with GVI is that you have a purpose and an involvement that you may not… ”
| from $2,895* per person | 35 Days | Year-round |
| Basic accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Global Vision International | 18 people max | |
Volunteer on this unique marine and rainforest conservation program in a wildlife hotspot
Taking part in this wildlife conservation expedition gives you the chance to be an active member of GVI’s research team in the Costa Rican rainforest and work on a variety of long-term terrestrial, marine conservation and community education projects. Activities you can be involved in include: conducting turtle population and jaguar predation surveys; jaguar and other mammal camera trapping and helping with mammal and bird studies around the beach, canals and rainforest of the area.Run in conjunction with partners such as the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy, the expedition is involved in long-term conservation efforts. Volunteers receive continuous hands-on training on all aspects of the rainforest and coastline research.
College credit may be available for those attending this expedition. Consult GVI’s college credit page for helpful tips and advice
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Locations visited/nearby
Costa Rica
3 testimonials about this trip
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Reviewer: Jonathan Groom
located in
UK
The difference with doing it with GVI is that you have a purpose and an involvement that you may not get anywhere else. Sure you can go to Costa Rica and see a Leatherback on a tourist tour and go for a walk in the forest, but with GVI you actually get to immerse yourself in that environment, to study it and experience it! The work with turtles and other animals not only gives you a chance to see them, but to become involved in their life (I guarantee that you will be moved in some way when you get your chance to count the eggs of a nesting turtle – it’s like being a midwife!) and to help to contribute to the knowledge base that helps to protect them.
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Reviewer: Sarah Shotwell
located in
USA
The best thing about my trip was the friends I gained. I don’t think we often imagine having such good friends from all around the globe in our lives. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, and when you have shared that with people, bonds are sure to form. Also, experiencing a taste of other cultures increases awareness and is such a benefit to life.
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Reviewer: Jack Roper
located in
UK
I would recommend GVI to anyone because it caters to all people, and looks after its volunteers from the moment they arrive in the country, until they leave. I would further recommend GVI as I am a great believer in its work, and the fact that it could not survive without its volunteers and all their support, which results in its volunteers leaving their projects or expeditions with a great sense of satisfaction.
3 testimonials about the provider, Global Vision International :
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Reviewer: Carolyn
located in
United States
I've been to Guatemala 3 times now, with GVI--and I'll go back. I've tutored English, taught Fifth graders in Spanish, and built stoves. Each volunteer stint has been amazing. I entered in to worlds so different from mine at home. The children, the families, the host families, the other volunteers were all amazing each time I have gone. Everyone gives their all, works and plays together. I'm over 60 and though most of the volunteers are a lot younger, the sense of community was great. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful way to dig in deep and give, while gaining so much more than you give. Can't wait to go again and see the kids in the schools, the families, GVI staff, and meet a new group of volunteers.
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Reviewer: Haley
located in
United Kingdom
I can't believe it's been a month since I returned from my 10 weeks in South Africa. I had the most incredible time working at the Ikhayalethemba Sanctuary and can't wait to go back! The children are incredible, and I can't even begin to explain how amazing the program was. I spent my entire year volunteering around the world. I was initially working with a different program which was very cheap and it showed. I didn't realize until I started with GVI how much I was missing in my other programs. While GVI does initially seem a little pricey, you really see where your money goes. I wouldn't have it spent any other way. I felt so safe, happy, and stress-free during my entire 10 months in Cape Town. Unfortunately, all volunteer programs don't have that luxury. So, I just want to thank GVI for asking for the money necessary to do the amazing things they are doing for our world and for the people who want to volunteer to make it better! I can't wait to be a part of it again very soon!
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Reviewer: Lisa
located in
United States
Volunteering with GVI was definitely one of the most incredible experiences of my life! I spent 10 weeks doing the Wildlife and Community Expedition in Kenya, and loved every bit of it! Before I left, the staff were very helpful over the phone and by email, and were quick to reply to any questions or concerns I had. Once I arrived in Kenya, the staff there were also super friendly and knowledgable, and really played a big part in making this whole experience wonderful. We got great training and I always felt confident going into the field. It didn't take long before the small village of Shimoni felt like home, with the kids greeting you with "Jambo!" and high-fives every time you went by. From teaching english at the primary schools and singing songs with fifty kindergarteners to teaching chicken farming to ex-poachers in Tsavo, every bit of the work we did was rewarding. Snorkelling the beautiful reefs of the Kisite-Mpunguti marine park was absolutely incredible and seeing a pod of bottle nose dolphins was always exciting. Days in the forest could be tough, but no day was ever boring, and you could always feel like you accomplished a lot at the end of the day. I really feel that GVI is making a difference in Shimoni and Mkwiro, and would do the expedition again without hesitation. I definitely recommend this project for anyone looking for an adventure and an amazing experience!
Itinerary
What Difference Does This Expedition Make?
The work carried out by GVI Costa Rica takes a holistic approach to the conservation of the area, helping to monitor every ecosystem of this incredibly diverse area: forest, canal, beach and sea. We continue to increase knowledge of jaguars and their predation of marine turtles, through active management have achieved massive reductions in marine turtle nest poaching, and help monitor populations of birds, marine turtles and large mammals. Data collected by GVI has also been used by MINAE in the latest management plan for the wildlife refuge. Our National Scholarship Program has helped several nationals gain employment in ecotourism and conservation.
Highlights
Getting the chance to go on this unique adventure in a Costa Rican National Park; enjoying life at the research station; learning about the wildlife and their habitat; seeing unique wildlife in marine and coastal rainforest environments, including sea turtles, monkeys, neo-tropical birds and amphibians; exploring the area by boat and canoe, including remote Caribbean beaches, gaining a wide variety of skills, including learning survey techniques and gaining real field experience, joining the research team to undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nesting sites during turtle season; participating on jaguar surveys; setting up and checking camera traps and tracking in the rainforest.
Skills And Qualifications Received
Amongst many others: First Aid & CPR training (certification optional); GPS, marine radio and camera trap use; wildlife identification skills; Tropical forest ecology; wildlife biology and conservation; time management; interpersonal skills; cooking for large groups; canoe skills. Numerous scientific techniques are taught depending on season and what work is being conducted, these can include: collection of biometric data; transect work; direct counts; incidental observations; tourist & human impact surveys; camera trapping; track identification; work with endangered and critically endangered species; and data entry.Location
If you are looking to go on an adventure to explore rainforests and tropical beaches seeing mesmerising terrestrial and marine wildlife, this is definitely the programme for you! The biological station is surrounded on three sides by stunning National Park rainforest and the Caribbean Sea and beach to the front, which is the largest rookery in the Western Hemisphere for the endangered green sea turtle. You will spend your time surrounded by the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of the rich canals, tropical rainforest and Caribbean beaches. There is no road access to the region, so all transportation is via canoe and motor boat, through the stunning canals and rivers surrounded by tropical rainforest and its associated wildlife.Field Conditions
Accommodation is pleasantly rustic and dormitory-style, in a beautiful clearing of the forest which has wildlife viewing opportunities that are second to none! All food will be prepared by the expedition team on a rotational basis, and basic but typically local food will be the staple diet. There is a generator for electricity part of the day in the main buildings, hand washing laundry facilities, and running (cold) water, which means there are flushing toilets and refreshingly cool showers.More information from Global Vision International :
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www.gviusa.com/programs/wildlife-expedition-costa-rica/… - Company profile, experience, and history
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