ICAPO´s Community-based Hawksbill Conservation Projects
Focus: Conservation, Marine Biology.
Become a Fan. 
Follow Us. 
Subscribe To YouTube.
Project Description
We strongly believe that communities are fundamental to long-term sea turtle conservation efforts. By working closely with local community members that depend on turtles for their livelihoods, we harness their vast knowledge of these creatures and thus maximize conservation efforts. Most threats to hawksbills are related to human activities and by working with these stakeholders to actively generate socio-economic alternatives we convert former turtle “poachers” in turtle heroes, while providing direly needed economic benefits to families in need.
The volunteer program was also initiated to extend the unique opportunity to participate in our work to the public, while also moving the program towards financial sustainability. Volunteers are critical to the success of the project, serving as personnel to ensure improved conservation efforts, while also generating funding essential to local community members and the project.
Volunteer contributions also assist in building a sense of local pride and increasing awareness, demonstrating the importance and benefits of protecting hawksbills and marine resources in general. Aside from working directly with the turtles, volunteers also have opportunities to get involved in other local ecological and social issues, providing unique cultural and educational experiences for both volunteers and locals alike.
Volunteer Information
Costs & Benefits
Requirements
Contact information
Project Summary
Time period: April 15th - September 15th
Volunteers are asked for 8 hours work a day/night with a minimum of one day off per week. The main duties expected of volunteers includes: night patrols (walking) to encounter hawksbills and their nests, hatchery shifts to monitor nests and release hatchlings, morning boat patrols to quantify nesting in areas around the program area, and community activities related to community activities (educational, clean-ups, etc).
We have two project locations:
- Estero Padre Ramos Nature Reserve, on the northwest coast of Nicaragua. The volunteer facilities are in the community of Padre Ramos (Department of Chinandega), approximately three and a half hours from Managua.
- Jiquilisco Bay Biosphere Reserve, on the southeast coast of El Salvador. The volunteer facilities are in the community of La Pirraya (Department of Usulatan), approximately three hours and half hours from San Salvador.
The cost of participation is as follows (US Dollars)
1 week $280
2 weeks $525
3 weeks $750
4 weeks $950
Additional $200 x week
What’s included:
Pre-departure orientation.
Welcome meeting and arrival orientation at the project office.
Three full meals a day
Accommodation
Training course on sea turtles by long term experienced staff).
Support: In-country team & 24 hour emergency support
What´s not included:
Flights
Medical & Travel Insurance
Visa costs
Travel Package (in-country transportation to/from project site) available for additional fee.
Physically in good condition.
Being able to work in remote areas under basic conditions.
Minimum age is 18 years old.
Travel & Medical insurance.
Available for a minimum of 1 week.
Able to converse in Spanish is advantageous, but not a requirement.
ICAPO´s Community-based Hawksbill Conservation Projects
Reparto San Juan
Esperanza St, nº578
Managua, Nicaragua
Tel: 505 85648061
Email: volunteers@hawksbill.org
Website: www.hawksbill.org
Location: Managua, Nicaragua
Average cost per day: $30
Focus: Conservation, Marine Biology
Skills needed: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, Spanish would be useful.
