Overview
Wildlife Conservation Expedition in Costa Rica

Taking part in this wildlife conservation expedition gives you the chance to be an active member of GVI’s research team in the Costa Rican rainforest and work on a variety of long-term terrestrial, marine conservation and community education projects. Activities you can be involved in include: conducting turtle population and jaguar predation surveys; jaguar and other mammal camera trapping; helping with mammal and bird studies; and teaching English and environmental education.

Run in conjunction with partners such as the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy, the expedition is involved in long-term conservation efforts and community education programs. Expedition members receive continuous hands-on training on all aspects of the rainforest and coastline research. It is not all volunteer ‘work’; the expedition also includes a Canopy Tour and you can arrange other excursions as well. College credit may be available for those attending this expedition. Consult GVI’s college credit page for helpful tips and advice.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

The friends I made. The sense of being totally at home in the rainforest - a completely different environment than the one I usually live in! Learning new skills and absorbing new information. Walking along a beach in the pitch black with waves lapping on one side of you, a sand cliff on the other, sheet lightening flashing through the sky and the anticipation of seeing a Leatherback for the first time. One of the best and most rewarding experiences I have had!

Alice Greenland, London, UK

What Difference Does This Expedition Make?

The expedition has had direct short-term results, including the decreasing poaching rates on marine turtles and their nests, and increasing knowledge of jaguar predation of turtles in Tortuguero National Park. Expedition members also help community members to access the tourist revenues through English language lessons and capacity building, and support conservation within the area through environmental education and awareness programmes.

Highlights

Getting the chance to go on this unique adventure in a Costa Rican National Park; enjoying life at the research station; learning about the wildlife and their habitat; seeing unique wildlife in marine and coastal rainforest environments, including turtles, monkeys, neo-tropical birds and amphibians; exploring the area by boat and canoe, including remote Caribbean beaches, joining the research team to undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nesting sites; participating on jaguar surveys; setting up and checking camera traps, interacting with the local community on the GVI community education programmes.

Skills And Qualifications Received

Amongst many others: First Aid & CPR training (certification optional); GPS, marine radio and camera trap use; wildlife identification skills; Tropical forest ecology; wildlife biology and conservation; time management; interpersonal skills; cooking for large groups; canoe and kayak skills. Numerous scientific techniques are taught depending on season and what work is being conducted, these can include: collection of biometric data; transect work; direct counts; incidental observations; tourist & human impact surveys; camera trapping; track identification; work with endangered and critically endangered species; data entry; manipulation and presentation.

See Requirements And Training page for more information

Location

If you are looking to go on an adventure to explore rainforests and tropical beaches seeing mesmerising terrestrial and marine wildlife, this is definitely the programme for you! The expedition base is situated next to a waterway with a boat dock, and is surrounded by lush rainforest that is the home to monkeys, caiman, otters and other wildlife, which (depending on your luck) can be regularly sighted from the base. Across the waterway (a short canoe ride away), there is a nearby beach. There is no road access to the region, so all transportation is via kayak, canoe and motor boat, through the stunning canals and rivers surrounded by tropical rainforest and its associated wildlife.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Field Conditions

Accommodation is pleasantly rustic and dormitory-style, in a beautiful clearing of the forest which has wildlife viewing opportunities that are second to none! All food will be prepared by the expedition team on a rotational basis, and basic but typically local food will be the staple diet. There is electricity in every building, laundry facilities, and running (cold) water, which means there are flushing toilets and refreshingly cool showers.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Internships

A ten week internship is available for qualifying expedition members.

See Internships page for more information