Volunteer for an Award Winning Marine Conservation NGO

  Belize

• Other Cities in Belize: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: March 2010 Onwards

Description: Following on from the success of ongoing conservation activities in Madagacasgar Fiji and Malaysia, Blue Ventures are proud to announce a new expedition to the village of Sarteneja in the northern reaches of the Belize Barrier Reef beginning in March 2010. This expedition will give you the opportunity to dive in some of the most spectacular and biodiverse waters in the northern hemisphere that play host to a whole range of Marine life from Hawksbill turtles to Manatees.

With a population of 1,800, Sarteneja is the largest traditional fishing village in Belize and Sartenejans are renowned nationwide for their boatbuilding and sailing ability. From Sarteneja, volunteers travel to the caye of Bacalar Chico, at the northernmost point of the Belize Barrier Reef and the only point along it's 300km length where the reef passes within a few hundred feet of the shore, making it the ideal location for the site of our research camp.

The majority of Blue Ventures research projects are reliant on the input of overseas volunteers. We accept volunteers of all ages and nationalities and in return offer full dive training up to a minimum certification of PADI advanced open water along the opportunity to do it in the midsts of one of the planets most pristine marine ecosystems .

The aim of this venture, like all Blue Ventures projects is to make a substantial, positive and long-term contribution to the development of Marine Conservation strategies on a local and national level. We work in close partnerships with numerous local and national authorities to ensure that the work carried out by Blue Ventures staff and volunteers helps to not just conserve the local environment, but to provide local communities with the tools to ensure that the biodiversity of the surrounding waters is preserved for future generations.

Highlights:
* Diving in some of the most spectacular waters in the world.
* Helping to preserve local nesting sites of the Critically endangered Hawksbill turtle.
* Learning to dive in Warm, crystal clear waters with a cornucopia of Coral and reef inhabitants surrounding you.
* Visiting a country with a rich and diverse history

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are needed for this expedition. All dive training is provided on-site as well as all training needed to record and identify marine life in the waters surrounding Sarteneja and Bacalar Chico. The only prerequisites are a good standard of physical fitness, the ability to pass a swim test and a desire to work as part of team in a remote and challenging environment. Whether you have a background in Marine Science or not, anyone is welcome to join a Blue Ventures expedition.

Cost in US$: From ﾣ2,100 for 6 weeks

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-70

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Belize Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Blue Ventures's Mission Statement: To give coastal communities the knowledge and skills they need to live sustainably.

Year Founded: 2001