Reptile and Amphibian Diversity Research in the Costa Rican Rainforest

Overview

You will be joining a team of international participants as an expedition member, stationed on base camp in the Tortuguero National Park of Costa Rica.

As a participant on this program you will conduct surveys and gather data on a variety of reptiles and amphibians that form part of the rainforest ecosystem. While the focus of the project remains reptile and amphibian diversity research, depending on the needs at the time, you will also participate in research on other species, including Jaguars, Aquatic Birds, or even Sea Turtles (dependent on nesting seasons).

You will be making a difference to the ecosystem of the rainforest while also learning a range of practical skills and knowledge that can boost a career in this field.

Highlights
- You can look forward to some of the following highlights:
- Spending time in the Costa Rican National Park is an adventure in itself;
- Learning about the wildlife and habitat in the local area;
- Seeing unique wildlife in marine and coastal rainforest environments, including sea turtles, monkeys, neo-tropical birds and amphibians;
- Exploring the area by boat and canoe, including remote Caribbean beaches;
- Gaining a wide variety of skills, including learning survey techniques;
- Gaining practical field experience

Program Details

Project Life

This project is the essence of remote adventure, as there is no road access to the base. You will truly be surrounded by the natural beauty of Tortuguero’s Caribbean rainforest, with all transport on the green canals taking place via canoe or boat. While challenging, the work will be extremely rewarding, having a direct impact on the research field and projects taking place in the local community. You will also be receiving extensive training and gain practical experience in the field, which could be a springboard to a future career in wildlife conservation

On all GVI projects, we work hard and play hard too, with enough time being allocated to relaxation too. The base is small but comfortable, and provides the perfect environment for you to get to know your fellow participants from all over the world. Camp duties are shared rotationally amongst all the members of the expedition team.

GVI’s programs aim to create global citizens who are passionate about sustainable development and make a concerted effort in the fields of conservation and community development all over the world.

Project Details

This program will provide a solid base for personal training and development, while getting you immersed in ongoing wildlife conservation efforts in the field.

The Reptile and Amphibian diversity research program focuses on
- Sourcing, logging and analysing long-term trend data,
- As well as conducting assessment surveys in specific habitat areas.

You may also be asked to assist with research in a variety of key areas in the field of conservation, including:
- The study of jaguar predation of sea turtles,
- Assessment of any possible impact on turtle populations,
- Jaguar tracking and prey monitoring,
- As well as turtle nesting studies and conservation (during the nesting season).

How This Program Makes a Difference
The programs carried out by GVI’s base in Costa Rica has provided critical data to the Costa Rican government to help them make informed conservation decisions, to ensure the survival of the biodiversity of this unique area of the rainforest. A practical example of this from over the years, includes the fact that our work has been used to achieve massive reductions in sea turtle nest poaching, increasing overall marine conservation efforts in the field.

GVI works closely with the Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET), and partners with world-renowned organisations such as Sea Turtle Conservancy and Panthera, to provide data and collaborate on conservation efforts in Tortuguero. GVI program participants allows for more areas to be surveyed in greater detail, expanding the wealth of knowledge available to improve and build on current conservation efforts all over the world.

Jalova's short, mid, and long-term objectives:
All of GVI’s programs have short, mid and long-term objectives that are directly linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualize their contribution to the UN SDGs.

Upon arrival to base, you will be educated about the history of the UN SDGs. You will learn about the specific goals of your location, the long, mid and short term objectives, as well as gain clarification on how your involvement contributes to these goals on a bigger scale.

Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to act as active global citizens after completion of your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

In terms of the long-term objectives you will be contributing to in Jalova, these are the most prominent to keep in mind:
1. Increasing scientific knowledge of Tortuguero National Park;
2. Increasing awareness of GVI’s projects in Jalova and the ecological value of the Tortuguero National Park;
3. Building local capacity to support long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable community development in Costa Rica; and -
4. Continuing to minimise our environmental impact on TNP and raise awareness of environmental issues amongst all volunteers and visitors.

What's Included

What's Not Included

Exploration

Volunteering with GVI not only allows you to participate on programs assisting endangered ecosystems, but also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your downtime, or further afield either before or after your program. Many decide to travel after completing a program, solidifying the lifetime friendships established on program.

Our long term field staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. Remember to ask about discounts on local activities and side trips through your association with GVI.

See below, where our Jalova field teams have helped us put together the following information on trips and travel options in Costa Rica.

Optional Side Trips
Given your isolated location, a lot of your down time will be spent on base. The rainforest is not exactly a place to go wandering! There are however still possibilities to travel in the immediate area, to make sure you make the most of your time in Costa Rica. These include a visit to Tortuguero Village, where you can browse through souvenir shops, visit the local bakery and experience what life is like in the local community.

Longer term participants, who will have the opportunity to take longer weekend breaks, the opportunity exists to head off base and further explore the Caribbean region of Costa Rica. Hiking, snorkelling, fishing, or canopy and zipline tours are just some of the activities that are available for you to book in the area. For something a bit more physically intense, you could raft on the white waters of the famous Pacuare River (on class III to IV rapids) over the course of one or two day trips. If the more adventurous activities are not for you, you could always explore the option a relaxing day in the laid back Caribbean village too.

Further Travelling Opportunities
Costa Rica is an amazing country with an abundance of travel opportunities further afield. The following is just a snapshot of the many possibilities you can explore. Feel free to reach out to GVI’s support team to learn more about the opportunities available to you.
- Admire the famous and active Volcan Arenal from a distance and relax in the natural hot springs;
- Surf the Salsa Brava – a hotspot of the Caribbean for the advanced surfer;
- Ride horseback on the beach in Puerto Viejo or simply enjoy miles and miles of beautiful beaches sun kissed by palm trees;
- Spot migratory raptor birds in the Talamanca Mountains;
- Visit indigenous villages to learn more about their amazing culture;
- Discover the cloud forest at Monteverde;
- Visit the hummingbird gallery;
- Enjoy the locally made ice cream and other fresh dairy products;
- Walk among the treetops on the hanging bridges;
- Enjoy the organised wildlife tours of Braulio Carrillo National Park;
- Travel across the country to discover the beautiful Pacific Coast with its hidden white sand beaches;
- Visit Volcan Irazu and discover coffee farms on the way back to San Jose