La Sirena Eco Adventures

Sea Turtle Volunteer Opportunities

 

Volunteer for Sea Turtles

(October - March)

Volunteering for Sea Turtles in Todos Santos is the Eco Adventure of a lifetime!! Help population recovery, participate in marinelife research, and experience Mexican culture! Our Volunteers are trained in collecting data on nesting sea turtles, nest relocation, incubation greenhouse operation, nest excavation, and hatchling releases. Early morning patrols are run on ATV's, evenings are spent releasing hatchlings, and days can be spent monitoring the incubation area, caring for hatchlings, helping with beach clean-ups, designing publicity, snorkeling, or simply relaxing. There are lots of beautiful beaches to explore in the area, as well as a culture-rich downtown full of shopping, dining, and art galleries.
 
 

About our Nest Relocation Project:

Three species of endangered Sea Turtles nest on the beaches of Todos Santos: Olive Ridley, the critically endangered Leatherback, and occasionally the Black sea turtle.  Beginning in October when Leatherbacks arrive to nest, the sand temperature drops below the necessary 26 degrees celcius required for successful incubation. For this reason, Biologists and Technicians relocate sea turtle nests to a special Incubation Greenhouse designed to Increase the temperature and hatchling yeild. Approximately 100 nests are relocated to the greenhouse each season. Volunteers supervise the incubation areas, care for hatchlings before their release, are trained in nest escavation, and help manage the hatchling releases.    

 

Volunteer Job Description 

We work with each of our Volunteers on an individual basis to design a program that fits your interests and needs.  Volunteers can work various shifts depending on the month of participation. Nest Relocation Patrols are run late at night and in the early morning October - March. You will be trained in recording physical data on nesting turtles, nest collection and relocation.  

Daytime duties include: Incubation supervision, Recording Greenhouse temperatures, Caring for hatchlings, Nest escavation and Hatchling releases (Releases take place December 8- March or April).  There are many on-going Volunteer activities that take place throughout the year and we are open to you receive your ideas. You may work as little as four hours each day, or up to 10 hours if you desire. You can also take days off to relax and explore Todos Santos on your own.

Accommodations

The Volunteer Casitas are conveniently located between the beach and centro, with several markets and restaurants within walking distance. The property is gated and each Casita has a locking door and private bathroom with hot water. There is a large palapa covered kitchen and common eating area.  Volunteers will be coming and going at different times, and so can choose to prepare meals individually or as a group.  There is wi-fi, so bring your portable internet device. Volunteers can elect to be woken up and taken to the nesting site if a turtle is on the beach during your night off.  After submitting your registration below you will be taken to a page to reserve your Casita.   

Who Can Volunteer? 

Anyone can volunteer, we accept individuals, couples, families and groups. We can verify hours of work for interns and University students. Spanish language skills are not required, but if you would like to brush up on your conversation skills, private lessons are available.   We are currently accepting Volunteer registrations for the upcoming season.

When is the Best Time to Volunteer? 

December 1 - February is our busiest season, with Hatchling Releases every day, and nesting turtles several nights each week. February - March or April there are Hatchling Releases 3-6 days per week, and we still need many volunteers as the greenhouse must be supervised throughout the day every day.  Nightly patrols continue, but nesting begins to taper off to just a couple times per week.

Costs:

There are no Registration fees!  Volunteers are responsible for their travel and living expenses including:

- Airfare 

Airport Shuttle  or Renta Car

- Contribution for Accommodations and Field Equipment 

- Meals and Entertainment

 

 

Register Now for the October-April Nesting Season 

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Olive Ridleys (Golfinas) mating

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Leatherback track and nest in Las Playitas, Todos Santos

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Olive Ridley (Golfina) nesting

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Leatherback hatchlings

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Sea Turtle Technician / Research Assistant

Registration Form:

Please provide your Contact information:
Name:
 * required
Email:
 * required
Dates:
 * required
Telephone:
 * required
Comments:
Please tell us About your Background and/or Service Type
University or Group Name:
Number of Persons:
Type of Service:

  Leatherback / Project FAQ's:

  • Leatherback Sea Turtles are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN
  • 90% of the Pacific population has been wiped out by long lines and gill nets.
  • Leatherback eggs incubate for 60 - 90 days in the Greenhouse
  • Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtle measuring up to 2 meters in length
  • Leatherbacks primary food source is jellyfish
  • Leatherbacks eat plastic bags thinking they are jellyfish
  • The shores of Todos Santos are the northern most nesting beaches
  • Without the Incubation Greenhouse, Leatherback nests in this region fail to incubate due to low temperatures.
  • The Incubation Greenhouse is run by Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C. , a non-profit organization
  • La Sirena Eco-Adventures sponsors the project through use of our ATV, Biologist housing, and Volunteer management.

If you are interested in Volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information or resreve your space in our Volunteer Casitas.

      Our Objective is to Minimize Impacts to the Environment
while Employing Locals to Actively participate in the
       Conservation of Endangered Species and their Habitats.
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Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C.
La Sirena Eco Adventures
Todos Santos , Mexico