Volunteer: Cloud Forest Nature Reserve Volunteer in Costa Rica

Duration: Minimum 2 weeks commitment

Start Dates: This project is ongoing and you can join whenever suits you best, depending upon availability.

Cost: $530 USD for the first 2 weeks + $20 for each additional day. Discounts for stays longer than 4 weeks.

Benefits

• Gain hands-on conservation experience
• Help to protect a rich biodiverse environment
• Work alongside a passionate and highly-skilled team
• Keywords: Costa Rica placement, volunteer, Costa Rica research, environmental research, environmental conservation, Costa Rica volunteer, construction and maintenance

Introduction

Live and work in a Costa Rican mountain cloud forest nature reserve, while helping to maintain and improve the reserve s infrastructure, and contributing to its reforestation, research, and education efforts by assisting researchers and potentially working with student groups. This project is dedicated to teaching visitors more about the local wildlife and environment, aiding in conservation efforts, and researching reforestation and the cloud forest environment. As a non-profit, the reserve relies on donations from visitors and the expertise and enthusiasm of its dedicated volunteers to provide a valuable experience to its visitors and researchers, while conserving a piece of rare and disappearing cloud forest habitat.

All are welcome to apply. You will contribute to reforestation efforts, conservation research, and the day-to-day operation of a nature reserve while immersing yourself in the natural landscape of the majestic Talamanca mountains. There are over 400 species of vertebrates living within the reserve, 15 of which are listed on the IUCN red list of threatened species.

As a volunteer, you will plant and maintain newly planted seedlings, work in the tree nursery, conduct trail and building maintenance, assist research interns and researchers with their work, develop educational displays for visiting hikers, greet hikers at the Welcome Centre, and work with visiting student groups, to name just a few potential projects. You will also be encouraged to use your unique skill set to develop your own projects and ideas to improve the reserve. Working alongside a passionate and educated team, you are required to commit to the placement for at least 2 weeks.

Daily Life

You will typically be working 30-40 hours per week from Monday through to Friday, which equates to around 6-8 hours per day. However, hours can vary depending upon the type of project you are working on. Most of the year, it is sunny in the mornings and rains in the afternoons. As such, work starts at 7 am so that you can get back from the field before it starts to rain.

For leisure activities, the reserve and surrounding area has extensive trails to hike on (including a hike up the tallest mountain in Costa Rica), clear mountain rivers to swim in, frisbees and footballs to throw or kick around, board and card games, and a projector for movie nights. The reserve is also within walking distance of several restaurants, a fish farm where you can catch your dinner, a football pitch to play games on, and a thermal springs. A short car/bus ride down the mountain, there is a community which has cheese, chocolate, bread, and gelato makers; a bar with artisanal and local beer; and a butterfly garden. On the weekends, many volunteers will take trips down the mountain to visit one of the many beach destinations available to swim and soak up the sun.

Please note: all information above is subject to change. Please check the most up to date information on the Global Nomadic website when applying. COVID-19 restrictions may still apply.