Why does this organization need volunteers?

In contrast to its biological richness, Sarapiquí is the sixth poorest county in Costa Rica (76 out of 81) and has experienced staggering population growth (616%) over the past 3 decades. Much of this is due to an influx of workers coming to labor on the Dole banana plantations and, more recently, pineapple plantations that supply multinational companies. Literacy rates in Sarapiquí are much lower than the Costa Rican average, and over ¼ of all children born in the county are to teenage mothers.

The SCLC is working to link community and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica. The SCLC believes strongly that ecotourism can be an effective tool for sustainable development in the rural tropics. True ecotourism encompasses economic, environmental, and social sustainability, and the SCLC seeks to connect conservation with the well-being of the local community by facilitating interaction between tourists and local residents. In this effort, the SCLC provides educational programs and organizational capacity building directly to the local population. The SCLC has all the right ingredients for making sustainable development a success – a young generation with open minds and knowledge of environmental issues, organized communities, and international visitors with an interest in helping build a greener future in Sarapiquí.

The SCLC’s major initiative is a small-scale native species reforestation program working with small farms and a diversity of native tree species. Reforestation is a clear environmental need that is beginning to receive more attention worldwide. It is something that interests many farmers and can be offered at low cost and minimal sacrifice to them. Indeed, reforestation can be done by nearly everyone and for multiple purposes, such as shade, riparian zone protection, soil recuperation, nitrogen fixing, living fences, wildlife attraction, and wood for home/farm and artisanal use. Small-scale reforestation of this type is a key component of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC). As part of the MBC, the SCLC falls within the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor (CBSS) that attempts to form ecological connectivity between the Braulio Carillo National Park and the newly created Maquenque National Mixed Wildlife Refuge in the northern part of the country. SCLC was recently chosen as the local office for the CBSS, and will soon begin offering community outreach talks and workshops about conservation and biodiversity issues.

In addition to these programs, the SCLC also has a public library with bilingual coverage of many subjects and computers for use by local students. The SCLC also offers a comfortable and well-equipped meeting room that is available for use by tourist and professional groups from Costa Rica and abroad.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

The Ecotourism intern position is available for those either studying Ecotoursim, recent university graduates with a degree in Ecotourism, or those with a passionate interest in the field. This position involves learning the information pertinent to conducting education tours of the area, and facilitating sustainable ecotourism for visitors to the center. Some of the tasks for this position will be:

Meeting and greeting the groups Presenting welcome presentation Translating for groups Motivating the visitors performing community service projects if necessary Assisting with implementation and management of community service projects Coordinate staff schedules for cultural tourism activities such as dance and cooking classes. Supervise, manage and conduct SCLC’s nightly tourism activities. Maintain log of activities conducted. Assist Community Development coordinator to schedule activities. Arrange, participate and lead local conservation/community service projects for tourists with Community Development coordinator.

Other tasks that you may be requested to preform outside of your core duties:

Manage the SCLC Information board at Selva Verde Lodge Promote SCLC activities at local hotels, and to national and international tour operators. Develop new community based tourism projects Participate in monthly community meetings held at SCLC.

How many days per week will you be working?

Volunteers will work from Monday to Friday. Saturdays and Sundays will be days off.

THIS PLACEMENT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 24 WEEK.

How many hours per day?

The schedule may vary according to the activities and season but most of the volunteers will work 8 hours a day from 8 to 5 (One hour for lunch)

What age-range will you be working with?

Ages 6 to 50 years old with group sizes up to 25. At the placement, there are 8 people on the staff divided in all the SCLC departments.

What kind of background may be useful at this placement?

Experience in tourism management or guiding. Familiar with concepts of eco-tourism and sustainable community based tourism. Experience in sales, marketing. Experience in event promotion. Basic computer skills, organizational skills, and leadership skills.

Will you be required to operate any special equipment?

0

What personality traits would be useful for a volunteer at this placement?

Motivated, adaptable, and open-minded. Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written communication) with tourists from many different countries, local community members, community Development Coordinator and Tour Operators and their guides

Who may have a difficult time at this placement?

People who are not accustomed to rural life and/or hot and humid climate may have difficulty with this placement.

What specific skills are they looking for at this placement?

What is the purpose of this organization?

The SCLC's mission is to link communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica's northern lowlands. The SCLC focuses its efforts in four areas: environmental education, community development, conservation, and tourism. This helps to form future environmental leaders, raise the organizational capacity of local communities, promote sustainable land use, and offer tourism that serves as a source of support for sustainable development in the area. Our programs serve hundreds of local people and thousands of ecotourists each year.

What community(s) does this organization assist?

Various rural communites in the Sarapiqui region.

Does this organization have any religious affiliations?

No

When was this organization founded?

mid 1990's

How are they funded?

International private donors and income generated from eco-tourism activities.

How many people at the organization speak English?

6

If you find sponsors interested in sending donations, here is what they need:

Computer equipment, office and school supplies.

Location description

The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center is located on the northern Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica at 10.45 N and 84.07 W, in the small town of Chilamate, halfway between the larger town/districts of Puerto Viejo (pop. ~16,000) to the east and La Virgen (pop. ~7,500) to the west. The elevation at SCLC is 291 feet above sea level, and the vegetation is tropical wet forest – the classic rainforest of popular culture. The SCLC building is on the northeast edge of the Selva Verde Lodge property and boasts a wonderful view of the Sarapiquí River, whose basin encompasses five of the twelve life zones in Costa Rica and three federally protected natural areas and hosts 521 vascular plant, 194 bird, 36 mammal, 17 fish, and 36 amphibian species. Poison frogs, toucans, iguanas, and sloths are regular visitors to the center grounds.

Sarapiqui is the largest county in Heredia, covering over 85% of the province’s total area. Located in the northeastern region of the country and bordered by Nicaragua in the north, Sarapiqui is a popular tourist destination mainly for adventure seekers who enjoy white water rafting down the Sarapiqui River. This region is also well known as there are a number of wildlife and nature reserves nearby. Fast becoming an important ecotourism destination in Costa Rica, Sarapiqui lies near the base of the Cordillera Central range.

The capital of Sarapiqui County is Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui or the ‘old port of Sarapiqui.’ Formerly a quiet town Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is now fast becoming one of the country’s key commercial and tourist areas. Located at the convergence of the Rio Sarapiqui and Rio Puerto Viejo, the city of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui lies 30 km south of the Nicaraguan border. Situated 37 meters above sea level, this city lies on the Northern plains and is surrounded by agricultural plantations and lush forests.This placement is located in the northern region of the province of Heredia.

The volunteer will live with a local family which is an excellent way for volunteers to learn about the local culture, practice Spanish, and be part of a family. The aim of this guide is to help you understand some cultural considerations that should help you have a successful homestay experience. The homestay include: One private bedroom, Shared bathroom (showers do not usually have hot water), laundry at least once a week, breakfast and dinner during the week and lunch as well on the weekends and a key to the house

Historical significance of the area

The origin of the name of the canton is beacause of the river that borns and drains this region whose name is correct, according to Carlos Gagini, as Siripiquí. Assertion based on a document of 1640 which states that "a river whose name among the natives, and often appointed by Jori seafarers; Siripiquí, which has its headwaters in the mountains of the town of Barva." The seafarers were Zambos Mosquitos. 

Sarapiqui was one of the most important in the national campaign against the pirates, in the years 1856-1857, especially in the battles of Sardinal and Trinidad, where Costa Rican troops under General Maximo Blanco defeated the invaders led by William Walter. 

This campaign was conducted between December 1856 and February 1857 and is perhaps the most important of all the historic feats, because it cut supplies to the troops who were filibustering the Rio San Juan to Lake Nicaragua. 

The 700 Costa Rican soldiers went through terrible hardships and difficulties, because they had no suitable vessels, so they had to sail on rafts and canoes, to hide in the banks of the Sarapiqui and San Juan rivers, protected from the incessant rain and mosquitoes, as well not having food. However, his daring, his courage and patriotism led them to defeat the invading enemy, which had spread to Granada in Nicaragua. 

Local Sesquicentennial Commission of the National Campaign 1856 - 1857, by the National Commission for the same purpose, drive, at this time actions to be incorporated into the Costa Rican school calendar commemorating this important feat, because the only official history ponders the battles of Santa Rosa and Rivas and does not give importance to this other time, prepared, as the great ideologue of that campaign, the Patriot President Juan Rafael Mora Porras. 

A historic landmarks built and opened in Sardinal; muelle and La Trinidad, will soon join the Copalchi del Estero, also in November 2007, there were baptized two important sites of Sarapiqui, with the names of two soldiers who participated in national campaign . The Park of the Virgen with the name of Sylvester Duran Calvo and the Boulevard of Puerto Viejo was named as Salvador Duran Ocampo.

The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (SPLC). Bertha Carter spent many years in the lowland tropical rainforests of Sarapiquí, Costa Rica assisting on creation of the first eco-lodge in that region, Selva Verde Lodge. Beginning sometime around 1984, she moved to the property and installed herself in a house on the land. At that time, the road to the area was not paved and this region, still today considered somewhat of a frontier, was with large tracts of rainforest interspersed with rural villages. It was remote. . Bertha had a great deal of understanding about the local culture and yet she was also outstanding with her interest in helping local women gain empowerment and independence. During her time managing Selva Verde Lodge, she quickly established a rule that only the staff member would be permitted to retrieve their paycheck. This prevented the husbands from collecting their wife’s paycheck and taking total control of the household money, which was seemingly common practice. In so many ways, Doña Bertha was a leader to the women in the area. In addition to helping women in Sarapiquí, Doña Bertha took a special interest in helping the young naturalists in the area. At that time, Selva Verde Lodge attracted many scientists, biologists, and conservationists as our guests. Bertha made a point of introducing these guests to the local naturalists so that there could be learning, opportunity, and exchange between the parties. This practice truly helped many budding local naturalists spread their wings. This interest in offering educational opportunities to the youth in the area reached to a new level when Bertha had the idea of starting a library in Sarapiqui. In 1993, Bertha and others, Bertha Carter’s dream of having a library and resource to support education in the area was realized. Through donations from Selva Verde Lodge, the construction company that built the Lodge (Resenterra S.A), and plans donated by then Dean of the School of Architecture at UNC, the building was completely established. However, had it not been for her efforts to realize the project, it never would have happened. Today, that library is now the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) or Centro para la Enseñanza y Conservacíon de Sarapiquí (CECOS). The Center is very active today and its programs have helped countless children, young adults, and adults realize a greater potential and learn about the importance of the unique rainforest environment of the region. Its programs include a scholarship program in which youth in the area can qualify for financial assistance to attend and complete their high school studies. This program has helped over 250 students who would have likely been compelled to drop out in order to help their families economically. Another flagship program of the Center is the English as a Second Language program which helps young people in the area to learn vital skills. There are countless ways in which the Center has helped the region as well as those international students that volunteer at the Center and are the “manpower” of the staff. The original idea of Doña Bertha of exchange of time, talent, and treasure is what make the Center tick. Doña Bertha leads by example. Her frugal approach to resources teaches us the real meaning of sustainability. Bertha is strong. Bertha never raises her voice but has always been a formidable force. She has nurtured and encouraged so many. Her work and her life should be recognized in the community.

What is the weather like?

The land in Sarapiqui is very fertile mainly because the Rio Sarapiqui flows through this region irrigating the entire area, plus the climate here is mild and moderate throughout the year. Puerto Viejo is warm and humid year-round and has no distinct dry season. Morning or late afternoon showers can be expected throughout the year; however the rainiest months are June - August and November - January. It rarely rains all day, allowing travelers plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.

What fun things are there to do in the area on days off?

Sarapiquí can be a headquarter area. From the area, volunteers can experience multiple activities:

Braulio Carrillo National Park and Rainforest Aerial Tram: One of the largest and most biologically diverse national parks in Costa Rica, Braulio Carrillo protects more than 110,000 acres of virgin rainforest, cloud forest, and watershed and wildlife habitats. Hiking trails explore the forest floor and the Rainforest Aerial Tram offers a bird's eye view of the fertile canopy.

La Selva Biological Station: A living laboratory, adjacent to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, La Selva occupies over 3,500 acres of virgin rainforest. Twice daily guided hikes open the door to a rarely seen ecosystem where 1,000 types of trees, 420 bird species, and two-thirds of the nation's mammals thrive.

Poas Volcano and National Park: Located a short 40-minute drive north of San Jose, a beautiful cloud forest opens to the scenic lookout over Laguna Botos, the cerulean-colored lake perched in the crater of Poas Volcano. This easily accessible volcano offers safe and close vantages of volcanic activity surrounded by rainforest in various stages of regrowth.

La Paz Waterfall garden: Stunning waterfalls connected by well-groomed nature trails are the highlight of these beautiful gardens. Other attractions include a Butterfly Observatory and Hummingbird Gardens where 24 species of these diminutive avifauna can be seen.

Venado Caves: Only the brave at heart dare enter the murky depths of Venado Caverns in an hour and a half long spelunking tour. Once submerged below the ocean's surface, the cave's chambers are made of calcium and lime deposits embedded with ancient marine fossils. During most of the year, a stream of runoff water creates an adventurous and wet trail from beginning to end.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall: The typical cone shaped volcano in Arenal is the centerpiece of the National Park. Explore second growth rainforest on lava-encrusted trails to witness the power of the volcano, the tenacity of nature, and magnificence of Arenal Lake. Hike nearly 230 feet down a steep mountain trail to the bottom of the falls and enjoy a riverside picnic or swim in the refreshing waters at the base of La Fortuna waterfall. For added excitement, enjoy the scenic countryside on horseback to the park entrance.

White water rafting: The white water stretches of the Rio Sarapiqui are some of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Enjoy high adventure and gentle floats as you navigate the river with our professional river guides. A preliminary safety orientation will prepare you for the challenges you'll face on the water. Keep an eye out for the diversity of wildlife seen at the river's edge in between Class I-III rapids. If you are a skilled rafter, we can arrange a more challenging excursion on Class III-IV rapids.

San Jose downtown: Founded in 1737, San Jose today is a sprawling metropolis. Costa Rica’s capital and the largest city in the country, San Jose is considered to be among the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. Here, you can find not only good accommodations and hotels, but many wonderful museums, bars, restaurants, shopping centers, colorful markets and a fast paced night life. A bustling city nestled inside a tropical paradise; San Jose sits in the center of the country in the Central Valley and is surrounded by gorgeous untouched cloud forests.

How do you get to your placement after your orientation?

From the Caribbean bus terminal in San Jose, take a direct bus to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. You will get off at the final stop and take another bus to the center. There are two local buses going this direction. You can take a bus going to La Virgen or Periferica. Ask the bus driver to let you off at "El Centro de Aprendizaje" or "La Selva Verde."