During 2007 ISV’s participants supported a number of Conservation and Community Development projects across the country, mainly improving life standards of local villagers and producing valuable data on scientific researches. In addition to achieve the following material facts, many of the most rewarding achievements imply intangible tasks, especially regarding the social impact into the communities and more than 120 host families. Participant testimonies reflect a life changing and heartwarming experience that proved culturally educational and fun. At the same time, participants made an amazing contribution to positive community development and the conservation of several endangered species of flora and fauna.
Tasks accomplished in Costa Rica by ISV groups during 2007 are:
Project
# Students
# Groups
Conservation / Scientific Research (6 different Projects)
320
28
Tasks Accomplished
7.075 km / 4.4 miles of trails built
5554 m2 (59780 ft2) of garden area planted / cleaned
530 kg ( 1166 pounds) of fruit / vegetables harvested
8570 Turtle eggs relocated
98 Turtle nest protected
865 Hatchings released
40 Exhumations of turtle nests ( surveyed egg chambers)
2443 km ( 1518 miles ) of beach patrolled
1500 hours of Hatchery guard
243 sightings of Manatees
764 Raptors sightings
317 Birds banded
100 hours of Mist netting
12 repaired Mist nest
162 Seeds tracked in the Rain Forest
1 m3 ( 35.31 ft3 ) of Debris place in trails to avoid erosion
7500m2 / 80730 ft2 Surveyed for seedlings
364.1 km (226.1 miles) of forest survey for fruit production
2790 Saplings planted
805 Seeds Plated
51 Dolphins Sightings
1427 Dolphins’ behaviors registered
4356 Km2 ( 1682 square miles) of sea surveyed for Dolphins
Project
# Students
# Groups
Community Support (13 different Projects)
248
26
Tasks Accomplished
1432 m2 (15410 ft2) of Facilities Built
622 m and 450 m2 Building painted / tiled
972 m2 (10460 ft2) of Drains cleared
5 Greenhouses made
2 Biodigestors made
6 Septic Tanks made
3 Schools Painted
5 Murals made
54 Signs built and painted
656 m / 714 yd of fence made
6 African beds made ( to dry the coffee beans)
9000 pounds of construction material carried
871 blocks carried to build
18 Bags filled with dirt to plant
210 wheel barrows carried with compost
350 Tamales (Costa Rican typical dish) made and sold
103 People received English Lessons
688 People directly involved with the projects
