Marine turtle protection program in Marquelia
       Marquelia, Guerrero          January 27 - February 12, 2010
       Marquelia, Guerrero          February 17 - March 5, 2010

Volunteer project: The “Sirenito Macho” project was founded by the Mayo-Carmona family (a local family) in which has been implicated progressively local people and international volunteers to help to protect and preserve different marine species such as the marine turtle nesting in the coastal line of the state, specifically in the region close to Marquelia town. Thus, by collecting eggs from the females and by taking care of them during the whole process of incubation up to the birth of the baby turtles, volunteers and local people contribute to the preservation of these species.
Through different activities throughout the year the “Sirenito Macho” project helps to prevent the turtle eggs being stolen, ensuring the turtles’ reproduction in permanence in the zone. Through these activities the organization looks also for increasing the conscience within the local population and local and federal authorities about the importance of preserving these species as well as about ecological matters. It promotes as well a deep cultural exchange between the local people and international volunteers.

The volunteers will carry out different tasks to help preserve two different kinds of marine turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea and Dermochelys Coracea) by collecting the eggs that the females lay down in the zone and putting them into a yard at the “Sirenito Macho” camping. They will take care of them up to the baby turtles’ birth and help to lead them to the ocean and release them. They will also help to collect statistical data and will patrol the zone where the turtles nest by night. They will have, finally, the opportunity to help cleaning the beach.

Language: The official language of the project is English. Some Spanish would be appreciated.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged in tents in a camping close to the working area.

Location: Marquelia, Guerrero

Nearest airport: Mexico City International Airport

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 180 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

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Monitoring and conservation of marine turtles in Motin del Oro
       Motin del Oro, Michoacan          January 27 - February 12, 2010
       Motin del Oro, Michoacan          February 17 - March 5, 2010

Volunteer project: Motin del Oro is a little town located near to the Pacific Ocean. The main goal of this project is to foster the community development through local schools to help in the marine turtle species’ preservation nesting in this area. Through different actions we seek preserving the species of marine turtles arriving every year to our beaches to lay down their eggs. We seek, by involving international volunteers, to help to preserve these species by making sure their reproduction as well as avoiding their eggs being stolen. Moreover we seek enriching our working methods by integrating and confronting foreign ideas with those of the local population.

Volunteers will contribute to the preservation of the different species of marine turtles by patrolling the different working zones depending on the number of volunteers. They will patrol every zone during the night looking for turtles and carrying out a statistical data register such as collecting date, place, zone, turtle specie, number of eggs collected, etc. They will also have the opportunity of working in the yard taking care of the eggs and the baby turtles. Finally they will be able of liberate the baby turtles in the sea.

Language: The official language of the project is English. Some Spanish would be appreciated.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be lodged in a private house within the host community with all facilities at disposal (water, place to cook, shower, etc).

Location: Motin del Oro, Michoacan

Nearest airport: Mexico City International Airport

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 180 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

Protecting the Marine Turtles at Colola
       Colola, Michoacan          January 27 - February 12, 2010
       Colola, Michoacan          February 17 - March 5, 2010

Volunteer project: The program for protecting the Marine Turtles is run since 1996 together with the Michoacan University and the local people of Colola Beach. This year again the international volunteers will work with the people of Colola village to protect the sea turtles. There are two species of turtles arriving to this area: the Negra (Black Turtle) and the Golfina (Olive Riddle Turtle). The people involved in the project will help by collecting eggs, burying them in the turtle camp, taking care of the baby turtles and collecting statistical data.
In this frame, a group of international volunteers will be involved in the project as members of the staff, which means that the volunteers will be very involved in the project and the work.
The goal of this project is to protect the turtles and to help run preservation activities focused on protecting endangered species, promoting at the same time international cooperation and international solidarity.

The main work consists in collecting turtle eggs, burying them again in a secure place, and getting the baby turtles back safely to the sea. This must be carried out at night since the turtles do not go out of the ocean during the day (because of their natural predators, it is safer for the turtles get out of the ocean in the dark). Together with the people from Colola, the volunteers will seek for the turtles and take care of the eggs and the baby turtles. Local people, who are very friendly, work with the group and explain them what to do.
Very motivated volunteers who really want to get involved in the work for protection of the turtles and are willing to interact with the local people and their culture, are needed for this project.

There are also some extra activities to be done with the local people in order to help improve the town such as setting names to the streets or helping to arrange a multi-purpose playground for the children, and maybe some cleaning work, but this depends on the volunteers' initiative. The local people are very open to participate in other activities that the group of volunteers can propose, so any ideas will be welcome.

Language: The official language of the project is English. Some Spanish would be appreciated.

Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at the turtle camp in a wooden construction, made of coco palm trees. It is safe and very fresh (needed in the warm weather of the beach!). There are wooden beds, a kitchen and a rustic bathroom. There is electricity just enough to light some lamps and it is necessary to bring sleeping bag and mattress. The place is basic but functional and it is located 20 to 30 minutes walking from Colola town, where you can find more services.

Location: Colola is a small town located on the Michoacan State coast, between Maruata and La Placita towns. It's a remote place that offers an excellent opportunity to be close to nature, on a virgin beach, with no tourism around. The closest city is Tecoman at 200 kilometers, but other villages such as La Placita that are closer (45 minutes by bus) can offer Internet connection.

Nearest airport: Mexico City International Airport

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 180 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

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