Asociacion Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina
Focus: Conservation & Marine biology.
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Project Description
Every year, Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill turtles come to Barra de Parismina, Costa Rica, to lay their eggs on Parismina beach from March to October. Poachers steal the turtles and their eggs to sell on the black market for profit. Although this practice is illegal in Costa Rica, as it contributes to the depletion of the endangered sea turtle populations, it is hard to enforce without the help of the local community’s participation.
In April of 2001, a handful of local residents, along with the Costa Rican Coast Guard initiated Asociacion Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina, or Save the Turtles of Parismina (ASTOP). This community-based, non profit, conservation organization is dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their eggs from poaching, while initiating sustainable development and providing a viable alternative economy to poaching in the small Caribbean community of Parismina.
Prior to the formation of ASTOP, 98% of the Green turtles were killed for their meat and 98% of all three species of turtles?nests were poached on Parismina beach. Since the project started, poaching has decreased to 38%. In addition to saving 10,000 neonates annually, ASTOP economically supports approximately one third of the village. Because ASTOP is a true grassroots project, we have also been successful at redefining the cultural importance of turtle conservation.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the generous help of our volunteers. ASTOP welcomes individual and group volunteers from all over the world that want would like to help us protect sea turtles, and support our community. As a volunteer, you will work alongside our local turtle guides. On the nightly patrols, you will guard nesting turtles, learn to identify turtle tracks, count the number of eggs, record tag numbers and assist with relocating eggs.
Day tasks include monitoring the hatchery, cleaning the beach of debris, safeguard the hatchlings on their first journey to the ocean, and participating in nest exhumations.
Volunteer Information
Costs & Benefits
Requirements
Contact information
Project Summary
Volunteers are essential to the success of the project. Volunteering to save the sea turtles of Parismina, Costa Rica is a wonderful opportunity to help protect these endangered species. You will see giant female sea turtles nesting on our beach and baby turtles crawling out of their nests in the sand towards the ocean. It is an exciting opportunity to help a town that is rallying around its sea turtle population and to contribute to the growth and success of this grassroots conservation project.
The best volunteer opportunities correlate with our sea turtle nesting season: March September or October. We welcome individual and group volunteers. Volunteers can stay in homestays, hotels, cabinas, or camping areas. For groups, we recommend the group package, offering the unique opportunity to play an important role in sea turtle conservation, get involved with the community of Parismina, and discover the culture and natural environment in fun, interactive, and diverse ways.
Volunteers tend to get the most out of the experience if they have a week or more to commit, though opportunities are also available for those who have only a few days to spend in Parismina.
Varies from $15-25/day, depending on accommodation and length of stay, there is a $30 registration fee. Volunteers must provide their own transportation to site, see Accommodation Options and Fees for more details. Private rooms with local families including 3 meals a day, laundry are also an option, along with hotels and camping also. Field station is avaliable for long term volunteers.
Volunteers aged 18 and over or under 18 with adult supervision or permission letter. Physically able to walk approx. 10 km on beach in all types of weather in the dark. A commitment to turtle conservation and able to withstand heat and humidity, harsh conditions, English or Spanish speaking, Spanish encouraged, but not obligatory.
Asociacion Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina
Barra de Parismina
Siquirres, Limon
Costa Rica
Tel: ++506-2798-2220 or 2798-2280
Email: parisminaturtles@gmail.com
Website: www.parisminaturtles.org
Location:Limon - Costa Rica
Average cost per day: $15
Focus: Conservation & Marine biology
Skills needed: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and English and or Spanish speaking,
