La Gloria Sea Turtle Conservation Program

  Mexico

• Pacific Coast: 
La Manzanilla

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Multiple Dates between July and January

Description: Help preserve endangered sea turtles, gain knowledge of marine biology, permaculture design, and encounter cross-cultural opportunities all at La Gloria, an off-the-grid beachfront research station in tropical Mexico. You'll receive detailed training which will enable you to help with research and data collection. You will participate in regular beach patrols by foot and ATV quad to collect sea turtle eggs which are then transplanted to a protected pen.   

Why the project needs volunteers:

Four of the world's seven species of sea turtles (Olive Ridley, Pacific Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback) are found in this extremely diverse eco-region - all are endangered; the Hawksbill and Leatherback are near extinction! You'll receive detailed training which will enable you to help with research and data collection. In addition to regular beach patrols, you will be helping out to improve the sustainability of the infrastructure of the research station through permaculture design. Thanks to the research and conservation initiatives of La Gloria, thousands of these sea turtles are saved from the ongoing rampant poaching of eggs so that they have a chance of surviving! Since the inception of sea turtle conservation programs in the last 30 years, like this one in Mexico, populations such as the Olive Ridley - the most common species you will encounter - have stabilized, and other species´populations have regained traction.

Without this project, it is almost certain that all species in Mexico would now be extinct. You will be making a critical difference toward the survival of sea turtles in Mexico! Data has proven that these patrols are critical to raising the survival rates of sea turtles by over 100%! This is a priceless opportunity to help safeguard the existence of endangered sea turtles, encounter myriad cross-cultural experiences, and learn about sustainable design, all on the pristine sunny beaches of Mexico´s Costaelgre.

Project details:

The tropical beachfront research station on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world - Mexico's "Costalegre" (the southern coast of Jalisco state, 1.5 hours south of Puerto Vallarta). Tierralegre works in partnership with the University of Guadalajara's Center for the Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones, who are responsible for running this particular program. They have been managing volunteers for over 20 years. There is significant sea turtle activity from July through January, with the majority of activity generally from July through October. Your mission to protect endangered sea turtles will focus on night patrols of the beaches, relocation of eggs to the hatchery, montoring nests in the hatchery, cleaning out old nests, and releasing newborn turtles safely into the ocean.

Other Volunteer duties will include:
* Releasing newborn sea turtles into the ocean
* Digging nest holes in preservation area
* Cleaning out old nests
* Documenting data
* Helping to coordinate volunteer student groups
* Helping to green infrastructure through permaculture design, and more...

Highlights:
* Spending your days on a pristine beach flanked by a mangrove lagoon, and your evenings helping ensure the survival of endangered sea turtles under constant threat from poachers
* Sampling local and traditional Mexican cuisine - Mirna is the host cook at the research station and she serves up a variety of dishes from enchiladas to seafood specials. Vegetarians will find balanced and nutritious choices as well.
* Experiencing Mexican culture on a tropical beach - what could be better? There is a lively mixing of foreign and local culture at La Gloria research station, which receives both Mexican national students/volunteers and international students/volunteers.

Qualifications:
* At least 16 years of age, unless you are attending the program with family or with some sort of chaperone.
* Ability to enjoy living in rustic, natural surroundings.
* Ability to walk at least 3 miles on the beach.
* Ability to work at night.
* Ability to lift at least 25lbs. without injury.
* Spanish language skills preferred, but not required. A Mexican family caretakes the research station and are always on site, so this can be a good opportunity to work on your Spanish as well.
* Strong social skills: you will be interacting continuously with the caretaking family and with groups of students and other volunteers who will be on site periodically to help with sea turtle conservation.
* Ability to entertain yourself: there will be long periods during the day where there won't be much work, if any, to do, so you will need to figure out ways to enjoy this free time.
* Deep concern and interest for the environment. The primary mission at the research station is on saving and better understanding endangered sea turtles, so it's best if you are committed to this mission.

Cost in US$: USD 850/month, or USD 500/2 weeks

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer at Tierralegre is committed to being a part of the solution of our current environmental crisis; is highly self-sufficient and resourceful; is open to a flexible and varying work schedule; tolerant of other cultures; open-minded, compassionate and curious; works well with others.

Age Range: 16-80

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 Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-20

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Tierralegre's Mission Statement: Tierralegre protects the natural resources and biodiversity of Mexico's Costalegre.

Year Founded: 2007