The Maya Golden Landscape is the focal area of our work and is the last remaining contiguous broadleaf forest between the Maya Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. Within this region Ya’axché manages two protected areas, the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve (15,000 acres) and the Bladen Nature Reserve (100,000 acres), and encourages the wise use of natural resources by promoting best agricultural practices and land-use planning at local and national levels.
For more information check out our website: www.yaaxche.org
Position description
Volunteering at Ya’axché means being a full-time member of the team. International volunteers bring valuable expertise and are expected to be proactive and motivated about their work. In return, volunteers have the opportunity to experience truly pristine nature, while building their careers. Ya’axché’s most recent volunteer alumni have gone on to working in conservation with organizations such as FFI-Nicaragua, Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (Bonaire), and Round River Conservation Studies (Botswana).
Ya’axché promotes environmental education throughout primary schools of the villages in the Maya Golden Landscape. Currently, we are creating an environmental education curriculum that collates our environmental knowledge of the landscape and local ecosystems, along with locally-appropriate cultural values of nature. We are looking for an Environmental Education Volunteer to create the environmental education toolkit for schools. Two major tasks will include:
- Using previously-developed materials, as well as new research and innovative ideas to create a standardized curriculum for environmental outreach in schools (including presentations, hands-on activities, and testing tools). The curriculum will include 10 lessons with variations for two age groups.
- Pilot trial the lessons in primary schools with assistance of Ya’axché’s Education and Community Outreach Coordinator.
Duration of placement: 3-6 months
Starting date: as soon as possible
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in environmental education, natural resources management, environmental science, or a related field
- Experience with elementary, secondary and/or adult education methodologies and curriculum development
- Strong communication and presentation skills (including Microsoft PowerPoint and creative ideas for experiential learning)
- Excellent written and spoken English is essential and spoken Spanish, K’ekchi or Mopan languages would be advantageous
- Strong interest in environmental science and conservation
- Experience working with communities in developing countries or strong cultural sensitivity
Benefits of Volunteering with Ya’axché
- Free, shared housing at Golden Stream Corridor Preserve field station
- Opportunity to work closely with dynamic, multi-cultural staff
- Appreciation and reference for your dedication and hard work
- Adventure in a country with pristine ecosystems, world-class snorkeling and SCUBA
- In-depth, interactive cultural experience unattainable by tourists
Volunteer Personal Expenses
There are no program fees charged for this experience, but the volunteer is expected to arrange and pay for:
- Transportation to Punta Gorda, Belize, including airfare.
- Food, personal expenses, in-country travel, rent (if living in Punta Gorda instead of the field station)
- Passport, visa
To apply, please email Christina Garcia a letter of motivation, CV, and 2 contacts for reference.
christina.garcia@yaaxche.org. Please enter “Environmental Education Volunteer” in the email subject line.