Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established local organizations including non profit and private groups, government departments and local grassroots groups or researchers. Projects are based in various locations throughout the country. Each volunteer project team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and an ISV project leader. The volunteer work team will consist of around 8 - 15 like minded people. depending on the project. *Please note that certain projects only operate on specific program dates.*

No prior experience or expertise in community development or environmentally-related fields of study is required in order to participate. Accommodations vary with projects, ranging from National Park huts, dormitory style accommodations or home-stays with local families. ISV will send you a Project Overview prior to departing to Costa Rica, and you’ll gain all the skills and training you need to participate fully in all aspects of the program. Prepare to be challenged in a safe, comfortable and fun setting where you will learn so much about the environment and culture in this part of Central America! All your meals (3 per day) will be provided during the volunteer project and will reflect the local cuisine.

WIDECAST - Gandoca seeks to integrate conservation of the sea turtles and their eggs with sustainable development through the commitment and participation of the local community, in close collaboration with national and international volunteers and scientists. This project will put into practice methods aimed at eliminating the destruction of sea turtle nests in Costa Rica and strengthening the processes that seek to stop the slaughter of nesting turtles.

Proyecto Carey is a research project focused on the conservation of endangered species of frugivores ("fruit eaters") in the Osa Península, Costa Rica, and their role in the regeneration of tree species through seed dispersal. The information gained will be used to help establish wildlife conservation priorities and strategies within the Osa Península, and to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy populations of spider monkeys and other frugivores in the area.

WIDECAST- Carate is located on the remote and idyllic Osa Peninsula, close to Corcovado National Park on the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This project allows you to give your time and energy to do hands-on work with local sea turtle populations, lending crucial support to the conservation effort, while personally gaining an extraordinary experience in the tropics. The project will put into practice methods aimed at eliminating the destruction of sea turtle nests in the country.

Wildlife Survey in Golfo Dulce Project is located within a pristine tropical fjord and involves researching the living marine and wildlife resources in Osa Peninsula. The project goals are to determine habitat use of indicator species in land and marine habitats such as spotted dolphins and rainforest frogs. The information obtained will constitute an important asset to the understanding of the ecological dynamic of Osa's ecosystems provide a head start towards achieving a comprehensive baseline in the development of management strategies for the area.

WIDECAST-Cahuita is a project that began in 2001, after the area was identified as a significant location on the south Caribbean side of Costa Rica for nesting leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles. The beach is part of the Cahuita National Park. Volunteers participate in nightly patrols led by experienced biologists and local conservationists to gather data for technical decision making and creation of guidelines and policy, in the construction and monitoring of hatcheries where endangered nests are relocated, and in beach cleaning.

Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve hosts a research project focused on the conservation of natural resources in this reservation located in Talamanca, Costa Rica. The project looks at the importance of different groups of birds and plants as indicators of ecosystem health and aims to develop alternative activities for the sustainable use of biodiversity. These are mainly through specialized ecotourism, volunteer participation and cooperation with researchers. By combining scientific research and community development, Kéköldi Project hopes to contribute to the sustainable development of the community while conserving the integrity of the Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve.

Ostional Sea Turtle Conservation Project is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica within the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. Ostional has long been known for the “arribadas” (mass nesting) of the Olive ridley turtles; however, more recently this site is also being considered as one of the most important Leatherback nesting beaches on the Pacific coastline of the Americas. Currently, ISV Costa Rica is working together with the Ministry of Environment, as well as with the community of Ostional to help conserve the Leatherback turtles that nest at Ostional through monitoring, research and protection of nests.

San San Pond Sak is located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, only one hour away from the Costa Rican border, immersed in lush greenery surrounded by pristine water mirrors. This non-governmental, non-profit organization has been devoted since 2005 to the protection of sea turtles and manatees with the support of Panamanian and international researchers and foundations. The populations of manatees on these wetlands are considered the largest in all of Central America and you’ll be monitoring while paddling a canoe during the days, and also will be patrolling the beach at night in search of nesting turtles and their eggs.