Playa Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation

The Volunteer Association for Protected Areas Service or (ASVO) is a Costa Rican organization that is dedicated to maintain and preserve the national parks, communities and beaches throughout Costa Rica.

ASVO is a not-profit and non-governmental organization whose mission is to promote the importance of preserving the environment by operating a number of grass-root conservation projects and conducting a number educational workshops throughout the country.

The members of ASVO strive to implement programs that help to preserve the national parks and protected areas. Over the years a number of environmental issues such as deforestation, specie extinction, forest fires, and climate change the members of ASVO have tried to expand their programs through the country.

For over 20 years, ASVO has been trying to call people to action to work together to try and stop the devastating environmental problems. In attempt to try and address some of these issues, the members of ASVO have partnered with members of Costa Rican schools, community groups, local and international volunteers, other environmental agencies and government agencies. By connecting with individuals in various sectors, the members of ASVO hope to raise awareness of various environmental issues throughout the communities of Costa Rica and encourage people to get involved to help solve these issues.

ASVO places volunteers in national parks and other areas protected by the Ministry of Environment and Energy all over the country.

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1989

ASVO is funded by donations, volunteer fees, government grants and private donations

How many people at the organization speak English?

Yes

Your time and enthusiasm are the most important things you can bring to this organization.

The Matapalo Sea Turtle project needs volunteers to help protect the sea turtle nesting area of Playa Mata Palo, to help increase the number of sea turtles nesting successfully on the beach and the number of hatchlings which survive. The types of turtles which will be encountered on this project are largely green turtles, carey turtles and hawksbill turtles, with the occasional baula (leatherback turtle) as well. Poaching is a major problem in this area of the coast as well. The project works closely with the national coastguard (they sometimes have supper at the project!) to ensure that communication is open and as much security as possible is being provided to both turtles and to volunteers. Without the help of volunteers to keep the beaches clean and tidy, keep the hatcheries running, and to observe and document types of arrivals of turtles, the majority of turtles nesting on these beaches would fall prey to poachers. Volunteer presence is key to the survival and propogation of these species of turtles.

The project is extending their efforts to promote community awareness and interaction through projects with the clinic, schools, and other local people. They are always open to new suggestions, fresh ideas from people willing to implement them.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

From June 1 to November 30:

1. Construction of the breeding grounds.

2. Beach signaling.

3. Patrol walks to protect nests and females, and for data collection purposes(Biometry, marking, etc.)

4. Transfer of nests and monitoring of the breeding grounds.

From December 1 to December 31:

1. Registry of breeding ground information.

2. Liberation of newborn turtles.

3. Nest exhumation.

From January to May:

1. Building of hatchery

2. Sifting sand for debris

3. Beach maintenance

4. Turtle patrol

From June 1 to December 31:

1. Maintenance and construction of infrastructure.

2. Beach cleaning.

3. Community projection.

It is possible to come here for course work.(internship - see other placement entry)

It is possible to teach English in the community school (see other placement entry)

Volunteers get one day off per week.

How many hours per day?

8am to 3pm or 7pm to 3am. Various, depending on the day's schedule. Expect to do night patrol for at least two hours every night or two.

1 to 30 volunteers, mostly all between 22 and 30 years old.

Must have an ability to work in hot, humid conditions; be in good health, prepared to walk 15km daily; and possess a desire to help in conservation.

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Patience, motivation, dedication, like of animals.

Those in poor health or who do not enjoy physical work.

Playa Matapalo is located 1 kilometre from the community of the same name and extends for 12km. The area protects a variety of marine life, including marine turtles, crabs, and fish, as well as a number of reptiles. The most important activity of the park is the protection of the eggs of marine turtles and release of the baby turtles.

Playa Matapalo is a small community on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The conservation project is a community driven initiative. The community of Matapalo is very active, with regular community meetings occurring to determine what the citizens feel is best for the project, for the community members as a whole and how the project should be moving forward. This community has also chosen to be dry - there is no alcohol available for sale or consumption in Playa Matapalo.

This town extends along a strip of beach, and back about 2 kms towards the main road. There is an elementary school, a high school, a community hall, several restaurants, an internet cafe, and many pulperias (small convenience stores with snacks etc.)

There is internet, a grocery store, and restaurants all located nearby, as well as more amenities in the town "centre".

The conservation area was established in 1991 to protect the marine turtles who have historically used this area for nesting.

The location is hot, wet, and very humid. The dry season runs from the middle of December to the middle of April, with sporadic rains, while the rainy season runs from the middle of April to the middle of December. In the rainy season the mornings are often nice but the afternoons, evenings, and nights will most likely receive rains. It is hot even while pouring with rain.

There are several types of weekend activities available for volunteers at Matapalo. Although strong riptides make the ocean surrounding the project unsuitable for extended swimming sessions (fine for wading), there are some great opportunities for surfing. There is a surfing school 50 metres from the placement site, where it is possible to rent a board (8 - 10 dollars for a day) and an instructor for 20 to 30 dollars for an hour.

Horseback riding is also very popular in this area. There are several horse owners with well cared for animals who will rent out horses on an hourly basis , or give tours by horseback of the area for a very reasonable price. The area surrounding the project contains acres of tropical jungle in which to hike and explore.

Closeby to the project are several other cities, towns and national parks which are worth visiting on days off. Domincal is only an hour by bus south of the project - this surfing town is famous for its big waves, relaxed atmosphere and pura vida approach to life. This is an ideal place to do some shopping, hit some waves, and meet other like-minded travellers and backpackers.

Quepos, located about 1.5 hours away, offers banks, restaurants, internet access, etc. and is the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Manuel Antonio is one of the "don't miss it" places in Costa Rica. This national Park is ideal for checking out the wildlife of Costa Rica: full of monkeys, iguanas, toucans, sloths. Manuel Antonio also boasts a plethora of white sandy beaches to relax on. The town of Manuel Antonio is known for its restaurants and nightlife.

From San Jose to San Isidro, 3.5 hours by bus. From San Isidro to Matapalo, 2 hours in bus.

You can also take a 6am direct bus from San Jose to Uvita from Coca Cola. You may have to switch buses in Quepos, but your ticket takes you straight through. Ask for Matapalo and get off by the field. Take a taxi or walk the 1km to the beach if no one is there to meet you.