Program Details
2 Weeks From
R 22,865
Code: CRJL0498P
Bird Research in Costa Rica
Assist in the protection and study of both aquatic and forest birds, whilst living and working in Costa Rica’s rainforest.
Program Information
Discover the rainforests of Costa Rica and assist in the protection of Costa Rica’s numerous and diverse bird species. Conduct surveys in both the rainforest and along the canals of the National Park, gathering data for use in a long-term wildlife conservation effort along Central America’s Caribbean coast. Develop new skills and an in-depth understanding of the rainforest and its ecosystem on this unique tropical adventure.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Overview
Assist in the protection and study of both aquatic and forest birds, whilst living and working in Costa Rica’s rainforest.During your stay you will not only learn conservation techniques focusing on the bird species of Tortuguero National Park, but you will join a team contributing to the development and management of long term wildlife conservation efforts along the Central American Caribbean coast.
You will learn how to distinguish between the different species of birds in the park, and be responsible for both the collection of data on the species and the input of this data in our system. We share this data with the Costa Rican government, who then use it to modify their conservation policies in the park.
Even though bird-related research will be the main part of your activities, during your time you will gain a holistic understanding of the Costa Rican rainforest and its ecosystem by conducting important research on turtles (seasonal) and jaguars. You will receive additional training across a wide variety of subjects and gain a plethora of skills that will help you further your ability to operate professionally in the field.
Through unique and hands-on training you will have the opportunity to understand the rainforest and the variety of wildlife that depends on its future.
Highlights include:
- Getting the chance to go on this unique adventure in a Costa Rican national park;
- Enjoying life at the research station;
- Learning about wildlife and their habitat;
- Seeing unique wildlife in marine and coastal rainforest Caribbean beaches and tropical rainforest;
- Seeing endemic and protected species;
- Joining the research team to undertake research inside a protected area;
- Exploring this wonderful Central American Country.
Testimonial
It was great to be in such an amazing location with people from all over the world and from all walks of life. Everyone wanted to get something different out of the trip, but essentially we all shared a common interest in conservation. It was brilliant to experience a completely different way of life in an environment so alien to my own. Everything I had studied at school suddenly became a reality and it was awe inspiring. I loved having the opportunity to work with such creatures as majestic and mysterious as marine turtles and know that few people will get the chance to have direct contact with them in their natural habitat. I was also pleased that we had the chance to see the country; I would have been disappointed had I not been able to visit other places in Costa Rica and not been able to participate in activities such as white water rafting and ziplining that the country is renowned for.
Program Details
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Project Life
You will live and work at the base in Jalova, carrying out program activities on the canals and forests in the area. With Tortuguero’s amazing scenery, incredible beaches and beautiful forests as the backdrop you will hone your research skills collecting important data.Through the recording, processing, and analysing of data, you will also get to grips with the technical aspects of field based research. Making lifelong friends, and invaluable contacts in the research world, you will live on our small but comfortable base with fellow volunteers, forging a tight-knit group experience you will never forget.
Project Details
The key focus of this project are the 30 target species identified by MINAE (the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment), which can be used as indicators of the health of the National Park as a whole. You will learn how to identify these species, noting key aspects such as gender and breeding behaviour, as well as how to input the information collected on these surveys into our database.You should also expect to be involved in further research projects according to requirements on the ground at any time. This could include marine turtle monitoring of nesting green, leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles, or even jaguar conservation, with a focus on the setting up of camera traps throughout the park and the monitoring of prey species.
Due to the fact we are working in a national park, we need to have a special scientific permit to conduct research so you will be asked for some papers to be able to process it. Thankfully it is a fairly simple process, so please talk to us about it before planning your trip.
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
The Team
Thjis Claes
Bird Poject Leader
Meet Thijs, our resident bird expert and project leader. Thijs was first attracted to GVI by the perfect mix of education, wildlife, science and communal living that we offer. He holds a Master in Biology (with a focus on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem stability) and this knowledge comes in handy while in the field.
Thijs has explored deserts and swamp areas in southern Africa during a group journey, he has completed a Leadership and BST internships at GVI Jalova, and has volunteered for a scientific laboratory, governmental organisation and nature organisation. What is the best part about working for GVI? "Being in close contact with wildlife, the possibility to continuously learn and working in a close team towards valuable educational and sustainability goals."
Thijs has explored deserts and swamp areas in southern Africa during a group journey, he has completed a Leadership and BST internships at GVI Jalova, and has volunteered for a scientific laboratory, governmental organisation and nature organisation. What is the best part about working for GVI? "Being in close contact with wildlife, the possibility to continuously learn and working in a close team towards valuable educational and sustainability goals."
Danny Guy
Jaguar Project Leader
Meet Danny, our nature loving jaguar project leader! Danny has some extensive volunteer and travel experience, including volunteering at Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa, and travelling to see and experience animals in the wild (South Africa, Kenya, Rawanda, Tansania and Borneo) where him ad his team usually camped in tents with basic equipment. He also completed a wildlife internship at Jalova Tortuguero with GVI and he was especially interested in gaining more hands-on experience through this experience.
He fondly recalls his favourite travel memory: "When volunteering in South Africa, after the day’s work, we were on our way back to our house when the big bull elephant stopped us just before our gate. We decided to watch him for a while as he proceeded to pull down one of the trunks of our fig tree treehouse. Once he’d pulled it down he called the rest of the herd up from the valley below. They stayed around the tree for the rest of the night and we had to drive around the back of our volunteer area and climb over the fence."
He fondly recalls his favourite travel memory: "When volunteering in South Africa, after the day’s work, we were on our way back to our house when the big bull elephant stopped us just before our gate. We decided to watch him for a while as he proceeded to pull down one of the trunks of our fig tree treehouse. Once he’d pulled it down he called the rest of the herd up from the valley below. They stayed around the tree for the rest of the night and we had to drive around the back of our volunteer area and climb over the fence."
Cormac Healy
Base Manager
Meet Cormac, our lovely Base Manager in Jalova, Costa Rica. This Scotsman is a rather eccentric guy and his fantastic sense of humour is one of his most appreciated characteristics. He achieved a Master's degree in History and Politics, and quite evidently can keep his own in any conversation on any topic.
His love for travelling started in his younger years already and since then he has explored New Zealand, Canada, the states, and South Africa! What is his one travel must-have? "A towel of course (for further information please read a Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy)."
Mac first joined our office team as a GVI Country Expert for Thailand and Costa Rica and he particularly enjoys getting the chance to meet people who are really passionate about volunteering. He thinks of himself as Carl Frederickson from the movie Up. "Just a bloke who enjoys sitting in a comfy chair; I think we can all relate to that." Mac, we absolutely agree!
His love for travelling started in his younger years already and since then he has explored New Zealand, Canada, the states, and South Africa! What is his one travel must-have? "A towel of course (for further information please read a Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy)."
Mac first joined our office team as a GVI Country Expert for Thailand and Costa Rica and he particularly enjoys getting the chance to meet people who are really passionate about volunteering. He thinks of himself as Carl Frederickson from the movie Up. "Just a bloke who enjoys sitting in a comfy chair; I think we can all relate to that." Mac, we absolutely agree!
Shayle Havemann
Director of Programs
Meet Shayle, our innovative and driven director for all our projects around the world. She has two honours degrees, one in Industrial and Organisational Psycology, and another in Developmental and Education Psycology. Shayle also has over 10 years experience in setting up, managing and evaluating environmental and community programs across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
She is well-practiced in facilitating meaningful and effective intercultural engagement and this makes her the perfect person for overseeing our operations in the multicultural country of South Africa.
When not attending meetings or planning her next endeavour, Shayle can be found spending time with her family or taking part in some or other exciting outdoors activity!
She is well-practiced in facilitating meaningful and effective intercultural engagement and this makes her the perfect person for overseeing our operations in the multicultural country of South Africa.
When not attending meetings or planning her next endeavour, Shayle can be found spending time with her family or taking part in some or other exciting outdoors activity!
Megan Brett
Incidentals Project Leader
Meet Megan, our Incidentals Project Leader in Jalova. She loves anoles, frogs, and all the other animals she can find in the jungle, which seems to be a good fit with what she is doing here with us at GVI. Megan has previous experience working on a dairy farm and with local conservation groups in New Zealand.
While working with GVI she gets plenty of chance to see and identify interesting animals. Costa Rica is quite a change from what she is used to but she loves the chance to use her training in zoology and ecology with a very different ecosystem than any she would find in New Zealand, her home country.
While working with GVI she gets plenty of chance to see and identify interesting animals. Costa Rica is quite a change from what she is used to but she loves the chance to use her training in zoology and ecology with a very different ecosystem than any she would find in New Zealand, her home country.
Laura Dix-Bowler
Business & Systems Analyst
Meet Laura. In addition to once being a promising figure skater, Laura is also a trained animal handler, and used to volunteer at a zoo in NYC. She likens herself to Blossom from the Powerpuff Girls, “She’s the brains of the operation”. We can’t argue there, HQ would fall apart without her!
She joined the Costa Rica Wildlife Expedition as a volunteer and immediately knew there was no going back to working for The Man. She became an ambassador and started planning her next trip when we sent her the Regional Coordinator vacancy. 5 weeks later she was in Cape Town!
Laura’s one travel must-have she recommends to volunteers? Coconut Desert Essence shampoo… “It smells amazing and it’s environmentally friendly. No-one should have to sacrifice their hair while travelling, even in remote environments.”
She joined the Costa Rica Wildlife Expedition as a volunteer and immediately knew there was no going back to working for The Man. She became an ambassador and started planning her next trip when we sent her the Regional Coordinator vacancy. 5 weeks later she was in Cape Town!
Laura’s one travel must-have she recommends to volunteers? Coconut Desert Essence shampoo… “It smells amazing and it’s environmentally friendly. No-one should have to sacrifice their hair while travelling, even in remote environments.”
Cynthia Arochi Zendejas
Costa Rica Country Director
Meet Cynthia, our Country Director in Costa Rica. She started out with GVI as one of our National Scholarship Program participants in 2006 and later became our Programme Coordinator in Mexico. Her skills and enthusiasm just made it too hard to let her get away!
Cynthia is a certified Veterinarian, an EFR Instructor and holds a Master’s degree in International environmental Science. She is also a member of the Mesoamerican Society for Biology and Conservation, chapter Costa Rica.
The most interesting things she’s experienced during life in the field? “Watching the turtles hatching! Also finding jaguar tracks and being able to participate in community tours.” Apart from those, Cynthia also loves arranging and participating in the fun Charity Challenges with volunteers.
What does Cynthia think volunteers bring to the projects? Since our goal is to provide support to local organisations which don’t have the human or economic resources to achieve their conservation or sustainable development objectives, our volunteers play a key role by being the hands needed, or helping to fund raise for those projects.”
Cynthia is a certified Veterinarian, an EFR Instructor and holds a Master’s degree in International environmental Science. She is also a member of the Mesoamerican Society for Biology and Conservation, chapter Costa Rica.
The most interesting things she’s experienced during life in the field? “Watching the turtles hatching! Also finding jaguar tracks and being able to participate in community tours.” Apart from those, Cynthia also loves arranging and participating in the fun Charity Challenges with volunteers.
What does Cynthia think volunteers bring to the projects? Since our goal is to provide support to local organisations which don’t have the human or economic resources to achieve their conservation or sustainable development objectives, our volunteers play a key role by being the hands needed, or helping to fund raise for those projects.”