Working in one of the amazing National Parks in Costa Rica is an unique opportunity to get to know the natural wonders off the beaten tracks!
Programs Abroad
COSTA RICA - Data Collection Research Project 
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Booking Nº: CR111 Country: Costa Rica + Location: Heredia Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: from 2 weeks, 420 USD |
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Task
- Collecting data by means of GPS, compass and others for GIS database
- Collecting data for biological database
- Updating databases and running reports
- Investigating the Rainforest
Volunteers will have a first-hand experience with the development of scientific knowledge in the tropical forest during their stay at the
Furthermore you will learn basic aspects of this fragile ecosystem while collecting data for one of the long term research projects that the Rainforest Center provides. At the same time, you will take part in a successful model for the promotion of conservation through scientific research, which feeds environmental education programs and ecotourism activities that are offered to the visitors.
Volunteers can choose between the projects described below. Please keep in mind that it is not possible to change to another project once having started work with one of them.
GIS Project:
Develop and implement a GIS database (Geographic Information System) that provides integrated support to different areas of study. This shall be done by collecting data with different devices such as GPS (Global Positioning System), compasses, measuring tapes and others. Similarly, volunteers with experience in AutoCAD, can create plans for the administrative building, accommodations and nearby areas, with the purpose of integrating them to the GIS database afterwards. You will give a report with the collected information to the person in charge at the project. If you have advanced knowledge of GIS programs, you may convert the information into different layers; otherwise the local staff will convert it later.
GIS is an interdisciplinary field that unites different areas such as biology, computation, geography, cartography and planning, amongst others. This system forms a tool of applied science that integrates and analyzes spatial information and generates important information for other disciplines such as Conservation Biology.
Phenology of Ficus:
At least 10 species of the genus Ficus (Family Moraceae) have been registered in the reserve. They are dispersed by a large number of animals, including many species of birds, monkeys and bats. The main objective of this project is to generate a data base (spatial and temporal) of the penology of these Ficus species. This will enrich the biological base to better study the ecological process of dispersion in this genus. Additionally, this information will allow the center to make better decisions about which species should be of priority use in forest restoration.
Volunteers will walk through different areas of the reserve in search of marked or unmarked trees, and once identified, they will proceed to make fruit and flower estimations and observations of bird species visiting the trees. You will create a detailed report for the person in charge of the project with all the information you collected. Likewise, you will be in charge of updating the data base with your results.
The
Accommodation
- Volunteer house
- Shared bedrooms
- 1 meal per day
- Facilities to cook and prepare breakfast and dinner
The field station is a perfect place for those who like to have deep contact with nature. It is located in the southeast corner of the
Volunteers share rooms with one or more roommates. The volunteer houses each have a fridge and facilities to cook and prepare meals. There is also a washing machine available. The center of the village
Please keep in mind that the lodging includes just the lunch. Volunteers are responsible to buy and prepare breakfast and dinner on their own. But this is a lot of fun and you can adapt the menu to your personal fancy. The budget for food per person is about $100 US per month. Volunteers can also eat at the Center’s restaurant for the reduced rates of US$ 10 for dinner and US$ 8 for breakfast.
Requirements
Language:English and/or Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Costa Rica with us!)
Skills:
No professional skills or experiences required.
Age:
18+ years
Vaccination:
Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations.
Insurance:
Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.
Visa:
Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country.
Details
The Rainforest Center is an internationally recognized, non-profit organization created to conserve the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. It provides environmental education to the local community, students and eco-tourists and accommodates scientific research. Located within the rainforest and river crossed environment of Sarapiquí County, the center is a Private Wildlife Refuge which protects 852.5 acres of mid-elevation (pre-mountain) forest through which 5½ miles of trails pass. One third of the forest is used for ecotourism and environmental education, keeping the majority of the reserve naturally intact. The center’s conservation education efforts and beautiful natural rainforest have made it a primary tropical science research center as well as a popular ecotourism travel destination.
The main objective of the center is environmental education. National and international students from elementary, high school and college visit the center daily to participate in eco-education programs. In 2009, over 6,000 students visited the reserve. The activities focus on hands-on activities where students learn about ecology, biology, biodiversity and sustainable development. Students that visit the reserve have the opportunity to develop practical field studies and use the available resources offered by the reserve. Also in 2009, more than 35 local schools participated in the environmental education programs at the center.
Furthermore the reserve offers ecotourism activities. They count more than 8,000 tourists annually who come for the one-of-a-kind tropical rainforest experience. The diverse tours offered allow visitors to experience the amazing beauty of the natural rainforest and learn about specific biological groups — birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, chocolate tour etc. — and the ecological interactions that occur between these groups. The ecotourism effort provides education in order to stimulate awareness of the issues facing rainforest health, and encourages conservation of the forest. We invite you to be part of this initiative that protects one of our most amazing natural treasures while providing social, environmental and economical support to the area.
The reserve additionally provides a research hub and opportunities to study. Today, conservationists, scientists and students from around the globe use the reserve to study important relationships in tropical ecology. The infrastructure, accessibility and type of forest make the reserve a special place for research purposes. Many projects have been carried out at this site, including long-term research, graduate-theses studies, museum work and doctorate studies by national and international visitors.
Source: Google Maps
Prices
| Progam Duration | in USD |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 420.- |
| 3 weeks | 630.- |
| 4 weeks | 840.- |
| 5 weeks | 1,050.- |
| 6 weeks | 1,260.- |
| Additional week |
170.- |
One time registration fee 75 USD.
What’s included:
- Accommodation
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Volunteer Work Placement
- 1 meal / day
- Certificate of participation
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Airport pick-up
- Medical Insurance
- Visa (if necesary)
Country
Country information Costa Rica |
 Costa Rica stands as one of the smallest countries in Central America with approximately 19,000 square miles and a coastline of 810 miles. The country borders Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south and the Pacific and Caribbean Sea on either side. Costa Rica is home to 4.5 million people with upwards of 350,000 people living in the capital city of San Jose.
The Costa Rican climate is commonly humid and warm year round, although temperatures in the highlands are typically colder and cloudier. Incredibly, 23% of an already small amount of densely populated land remains protected territory by National Parks and/or private reserves. This protected land is home and host to a wide variety of exotic plants, animals, and social and environmental projects to ensure the protection and conservation of the tropical habitat. When walking the streets of Costa Rica, make sure to ask Costa Ricans, who typically know heaps, about their national treasures. Further, Costa Rica is the most politically stable country in Central America, with a disbanded army for more than sixty years and a relatively high standard of education. Tourism is one of the main economic income sources for Costa Rica. With over 2 million tourists exploring Costa Rica each year, the country stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region. Through eco-tourism programs, (which CR was one of the first countries offering this type of tourism), a variety of activities, and year round tropical weather, the country attracts tourists from all over the world. Aside from protected land, the true jewels of Costa Rica are the surrounding islands with serene beaches and breath-taking nature. This country offers beautiful landscapes for dream vacations of beach lounging, surfing, snorkeling, hiking volcanoes, zip-lining, rafting, bird watching, fishing, and exploring rain forests. The dry season of Costa Rica is between December and April, though like most Latin countries, schools are closed, beaches full and finding last minute hotels may be tricky. A second peak season arrives with the Europeans and North Americans during June and July. As the off-season arrives in May, so does the lush green vegetation with the rainy season. Lastly, Costa Rica encompasses year round possibilities for surfers, fishing enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. Depending on what coast you want to surf, what fish you want to catch and what bird you hope to see, there are variations on ideal months to further research. Finally, Costa Rica is a perfect place to learn Spanish, as the Spanish spoken here is typically slow without strong accents and layers of slang. The Costa Ricans are very friendly, energetic and always with a smile!
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