Contact: Guido Saborio guidosaborio@osaconservation.org
WWW Link: http://www.osaconservation.org/Volunteer.html
Period
September-December
Location
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Background Information
Friends of the Osa is a non-profit organization with a goal to preserve the Osa Peninsula’s globally significant biodiversity through research, conservation and education. Our Sea Turtle Conservation Program at Piro Beach has been in operation for more than 4 years, conserving and collecting scientific data of sea turtles nesting on this beach. There are two main species that visit our research site: the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivaceae) and the Pacific Green Turtle or Black Turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii). The Osa Peninsula, with 50% of Costa Rican species and the highest number of endemic species in the country, is an undeveloped paradise to enjoy solitary beaches and a stunning tropical forest.
Duties
The Research Field Assistants will be working with our Field Coordinator, a local person with more than 6 years of experience working with sea turtles on the Osa Peninsula. Night and early morning patrols are conducted on the beach as well as scientific data collection (number of turtles visiting the beach, following up nest history, turtle morphology, physical and chemical characteristics of the beach, along with other information useful in conservation work). The work requires lengthy walks on the beach and working almost all night long, depending on sea turtle activity. Also, the RFAs will be participating in educational activities and training and coordinating the work with volunteers. This season we are planning to have four people permanently on the beach: one field coordinator, and three research field assistants including a local person. This team will have the help of volunteers through our Environmental Educational and Volunteer Program.
Requirements
1. Demonstrable experience working with sea turtles projects or vast experience working in scientific data collection projects with others taxonomy groups.
2. Conversational Spanish. Basic Spanish is required since the RFAs will be working with local people.
3. Be in good physical and medical condition (No severe eyesight problems or severe allergies to mosquito and sand flies bites).
4. Be willing to work hard in challenging conditions.
5. Have a personal insurance policy.
6. Be prepared to experience working in a remote place in the tropics
Benefits/Costs
Research Field Assistantship (RFA) positions are voluntary and selected RFAs are expected to plan and finance their own travel to and from the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
Selected RFAs will receive food and board for the duration of their time working in the project. Travel between Piro Beach and Puerto Jiménez, the nearest town, will not be covered for the RFAs, unless it is part of an activity related with the project.