Conservation Host Organizations (the following project list is updated regularly):

WIDECAST - Gandoca is a non-government and non-profit organization that has been working for the conservation and sustainable development of the Talamanca Region of Costa Rica since 1978. WIDECAST seeks to integrate conservation of the sea turtles and their eggs with sustainable development through the commitment and participation of the local community, in close collaboration with national and international volunteers and scientists. These projects will put into practice methods aimed at eliminating the destruction of sea turtle nests in Costa Rica and strengthening the processes that seek to stop the slaughter of nesting turtles.

WIDECAST- Carate (Sea Turtle Conservation Program)
Located on the remote and paradisiacal Osa Peninsula, close to Corcovado National Park, this project allows you giving your time and energy to do hands-on work with local sea turtle populations, bringing a crucial support to the conservation effort, while personally gaining an extraordinary experience in the tropics.

Proyecto Carey is a research project focused on the conservation of endangered species of frugivores ("fruit eaters") in the Osa Península, Costa Rica, and their role in the regeneration of tree species through seed dispersal. The information gained will be used to help establish wildlife conservation priorities and strategies within the Osa Península, and to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy populations of spider monkeys and other frugivores in the area.

Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve hosts a research project focused on the conservation of natural resources in this Reservation located in Talamanca, Costa Rica. The project looks at the importance of different groups of birds and plants as indicators of ecosystem health and aims to develop alternative activities for the sustainable use of biodiversity. These are mainly through specialized ecotourism, volunteer participation and cooperation with researchers. By combining scientific research and community development, Kéköldi Project hopes to contribute to the sustainable development of the community while conserving the integrity of the Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve.

Ostional Sea Turtle Conservation. Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Ostional has long been known for the “arribadas” (mass nesting) of the Olive ridley turtles; however, more recently this site is also being considered as one of the most important Leatherback nesting beaches on the Pacific coastline of the Americas. Currently, ISV Costa Rica is working together with the Ministry of Environment, as well as with the community of Ostional to help conserve the Leatherback turtles that nest at Ostional through monitoring, research and protection of nests.

Wildlife Survey in Golfo Dulce. Surrounding by pristine tropical fiords, this is researching of the living marine and wildlife resources in Osa Peninsula implemented by Vida Marina Foundation.  The present project on the determination of habitat use of indicator species in land and marine habitats such rainforest frogs and spotted dolphins, will constitute an important asset to the understanding of the ecological dynamic of Osa’s ecosystems. This project will provide a head start towards achieving a comprehensive baseline in the development of management strategies for the area.

San San Pond Sak (Sea Turtle & Manatees Conservation Program, Panama) Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, immerse in lush greenery and surrounded by pristine water mirrors, this non-governmental, non-profit organization has been devoted since 2005 in the protection of sea turtles and manatees with the support of Panamanian and international researchers and foundations. The populations of manatees on this wetlands are the largest in all Central America and you’ll be monitoring them while paddling a canoe during the days, and also will be patrolling the beach at night in search of nesting turtles and their eggs.

Please note: Projects are available on specific dates only. Hence, depending on each participant’s assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Participants are asked to please be flexible in their project preferences; these are ALL great projects in amazing locations with significant conservation and educational value.

Project Locations:

Community Development Host Organizations (the following project list is updated regularly):

Alianza Garabito. A community alliance formed by members of Garabito de Aguas Zarcas, a village in the Zona Norte region of Costa Rica whose main objective is to establish a sustainable income for the community, while protecting the local environment, in particular, the water resources of the area. The long-term goal of the community is to become an example of a successful, sustainable-developed community, in which all the families enjoy healthy lifestyles and employment opportunities.

APROSAMA, San Marcos. The Association of Agro-forestry Producers and Environmental Management, located in San Marcos de Cutris, was legally constituted as a non-profit association in 1992 with the mission to improve people’s quality of life in the Northern Region of Costa Rica. In order to achieve that, APROSAMA has created and implemented projects in three strategic areas: sustainable production; environmental management and education; and agro-ecotourism maintaining the local culture.

APECH, San Jerónimo. El Chirripó Producers Association (APECH), located in the slopes of Chirripó National Park, unites local producers to provide agricultural and social development alternatives for the surrounding community. Their main activity and source of income is the production of citrus fruits. APECH is helping to design and implement an agro-ecological program to enhance the Association's organic agriculture, environmental education, and reforestation programs.

ASJUESDE (Community Support Project in Isla Venado)
Located in a tropical Island on the Nicoya Golf, this project is committed to the protection and conservation of the Island’s Natural Resources and generates productive options that would allow its inhabitants to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner.

ASOMOBI, Biolley. The Organized Women’s Association of Biolley (ASOMOBI) was established in 1996 by a group of 15 women from Biolley,a community located in the slopes of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. ASOMOBI was created to generate productive options that would allow its members to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner, and through these opportunities, the organization also served as an alternative for the locals who would otherwise migrate due the lack of jobs in the area. Members of the Association are currently involved in the coffee process and production, aswell overing ecotourism services.

ASOPROLA, Altamira. The Association of Producers, La Amistad (ASOPROLA) develops projects that allow the region’s inhabitants to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner. They develop environmental education programs to promote natural resource conservation in the area, as well as sustainable community development.

Canaan (Community Support Project in Perez Zeledón)
Canaan is nestled in the slopes of Chirripó Mount (the highest in the country) and is surrounded by pristine torrents and gorgeous canyons covered with rain forest.  The Development Association members pursue to provide agricultural and social development alternatives to dairy communities of Canaan and Los Angeles.

Ecomuseo San Vicente (Community Support Project, Nicoya)
This project was created in order to promote art crafts made in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner, as well as rescue the cultural heritage of an activity developed since pre-Colombian times through ancient ceramic replicas.

El Yüe, Organic Farmers. The Association of Producer Families El Yüe was established by 12 women from three small communities in the Province of Limon, who were concerned about the unsustainable use of the natural resources in this region. Their goals include increasing the number of families working as organic farmers in the region, the development of alternatives to improve their quality of life through sustainable and environmentally friendly means, and improving the health of their communities by producing pesticide-free products.

Las Orquideas (Community Support Project in Zapotal)
This project was created in order to generate alternatives that would allow local women to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner, as well as protecting the integrity of the local forests while offer accommodation and food to visitors in a spot into the woods.

Por la Mar (Community Support Project in Tárcoles)
Surrounded by tropical mangrove forest plenty of wildlife, this project has the vision of supports the community of Tárcoles and the associated responsible fishery that contributes the biological and cultural conservation of coastal and marine resources, as a benefit to local families and future generations.

PROTURCO (Community Support Project, Santa Cruz L.C.)
This community is nestled in high lands of Los Santos Zone, were develops projects and programs related with agriculture-tourism, and the promotion and use of these activities for the community as another source of revenue, avoiding the high dependency of the marketing of two products: gourmet coffee and avocado.

Quizarrá Forest Conservation Committee, (Cocoforest). Located in the village of Quizarrá, in Pérez Zeledón County, the organization’s mission is to protect areas surrounding Los Cusingos Sanctuary for Neotropical Birds, and the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor. This will help to counter the loss of forests due to logging and farming, enhance the remaining areas of evergreen tropical rain forest, promote environmental education, and develop environmentally sustainable employment opportunities in the community.

San Juanillo Fishermen Association (Community Support Project)
Settled in one of the most beautiful beaches of Northern Pacific coast, this project allows you to help the community through the improvement of communal facilities and the quality of their inhabitant's lives.

Santa Elena de Pital. The Asociación de Mujeres Amigas (The Association of Women Friends) was founded in June 1995 by a group of women in the community of Santa Elena de Pital who were looking to improve their educational opportunities and provide a more just income for their families as well as encourage the development of their community through various projects. Their mission is “Constant improvement, protection of the remaining patch of forest, and the conservation of flora and fauna”, and their vision is to achieve an improved standard of living for themselves and their families. 

Please note: Projects are available on specific dates only. Hence, depending on each participant’s assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Participants are asked to please be flexible in their project preferences; these are ALL great projects in amazing locations with significant social/developmental and educational value.