Sectors: conservation & wildlife, ecology
Closing date: Not specified, apply soon!
Wild parrot monitoring and conservation field volunteers working with the critically endangered Yellow-naped parrot & the Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica.
Are you passionate about conservation science and making a difference in the world? Join us working with endangered parrots and macaws in Costa Rica as a Wild Parrot Monitoring and Conservation Field Volunteer.
The Macaw Society is offering a volunteer program that allows you to work side-by-side with experts in the field to protect one of the most endangered groups of birds in the Americas.
For more than two decades, The Macaw Society has been at the forefront of psittacine research in the lowlands of southeastern Peru. Our dedicated team, led by Drs. Brightsmith and Vigo-Trauco from the Schubot Center for Avian Health at Texas A&M University, have produced valuable insights into the behavior and conservation of wild parrots and macaws. As part of our commitment to advancing our conservation efforts, we are expanding our initiatives to new areas in the Neotropics. We are pleased to announce our partnership with RESCATE Wildlife Rescue Center (www.rescatewildlife.org) in Costa Rica. With over 20 years of experience leading psittacine reintroductions in the country, RESCATE is a remarkable institution and a key partner in our quest to preserve these magnificent birds.
As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to learn new skills, gain valuable field experience, and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and offer a range of volunteer assistantship programs to suit your level of experience. You will be climbing high up into the treetops to check on macaw nests and observing the endangered Yellow-naped Amazon parrots and also the Scarlet Macaws before and after they're released back into the wild, as part of our ongoing conservation efforts. You'll be gaining valuable experience while helping to protect these incredible birds.
We are welcoming volunteers year-round at “Bosque Escondido”, one of the release sites of RESCATE in the Nicoya Peninsula. Whether you're an amateur enthusiast or a graduate-level professional, we have a volunteer assistantship program that will work for you. If you're a student or recent graduate, our volunteer program is the perfect way to learn and grow, while contributing to an important cause.
Join us and be part of a team that's dedicated to making a real difference in conservation. Together, we can create a brighter future for these incredible birds.
LOCATION
Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge – Costa Rica. A 1,800-acre wildlife-rich tropical dry forest on the Nicoya Peninsula. This is a release site for macaws, parrots and other wildlife owned and operated by Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
In general, we have two different types of positions that are available year-round.
POSITION #1: Long-term volunteer assistant (8 weeks minimum, 3 months stay preferred)
POSITION # 2: Short-term volunteer assistant (12 days minimum, 30 days stay preferred)
COST
Essentially, volunteering is free. We take care of research permit costs, cover the costs of all staff, work to maintain training material, and also deal with all correspondence and various aspects of project management. However, our budget does not extend to being able to pay for all aspects of volunteer participation. As such you only need to cover food, accommodation, and other services provided by the field station. The costs for such are very reasonable. It goes according to the position and experience:
*A one-time processing fee of $30 will be added for all volunteers.
The lodging payment includes food, non-alcoholic beverages, unlimited tea and coffee, and accommodations with bedding provided. Additionally, all volunteers are required to pay for airport transfers, either $20 for pick-up or $10 for drop-off, and extra transportation costs to the release site in the Nicoya Peninsula or Punta Leona Hotel in the central Pacific coast. After being accepted, volunteers will receive an email invoice from Texas A&M University and must pay 20% of the total cost upfront, which is non-refundable and required to secure the reservation. The remaining 80% must be paid at least two weeks prior to the assistant's arrival at the release site. Payment can be made in cash with prior permission from the coordinator. Availability and season may affect daily fees. Domestic and international flight fees to the release site are not covered. For more information, please refer to our website's refund policy.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply please send an email to [email protected]
This email should contain the following: