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Hello and welcome to my GoFundMe page! I have been given the incredible opportunity to participate in an ISV (International Student Volunteer) program this coming summer that focuses on the conservation of endangered species in Costa Rica! The duration of the program is four weeks - I will be leaving mid June and coming back to Maine mid July.
For the first two weeks I will be volunteering, primarily working with local sea turtle populations. There are seven species of sea turtles on our planet and five of them nest off the shores of Costa Rica. These sea turtle populations have become endangered due to pollution, coastal development, fishing practices, and the harvesting of both adults and eggs for shells and food. By taking part in the Costa Rica ISV program I will be helping local sea turtle populations by building, monitoring, and maintaining nest hatcheries, while also collecting data of females and eggs during night patrols of nesting beaches. I will also help release hatchlings back to the ocean! Though my program focuses on sea turtles, I will also be working with local amphibians.
For the second two weeks I will be on an adventure tour of Costa Rica. I will be traveling from one side of the country to the other, exploring tropical rainforests, visiting Volcan Arenal (Costa Rica’s most active volcano), white water rafting on class IV rapids, visiting Rincón de la Vieja National Park, learning about the indigenous “Maleku” culture, and much more.
I hope that this trip will be the first of many volunteer opportunities in my future. After completing my degree in Nutrition, my goal is to use my skills to participate in more volunteering opportunities around the world. Any donation, no matter what size, is greatly appreciated. The money I raise here will go towards my flight and program fees. Thank you so so much!
I am also selling some of my handmade pottery and beads as a way of fundraising. Check them out here -https://www.facebook.com/sleaff/media_set?set=a.10208218943494768.1073741838.1337748138&type=3&pnref=story
Check out the official ISV Costa Rica video below!
For the first two weeks I will be volunteering, primarily working with local sea turtle populations. There are seven species of sea turtles on our planet and five of them nest off the shores of Costa Rica. These sea turtle populations have become endangered due to pollution, coastal development, fishing practices, and the harvesting of both adults and eggs for shells and food. By taking part in the Costa Rica ISV program I will be helping local sea turtle populations by building, monitoring, and maintaining nest hatcheries, while also collecting data of females and eggs during night patrols of nesting beaches. I will also help release hatchlings back to the ocean! Though my program focuses on sea turtles, I will also be working with local amphibians.
For the second two weeks I will be on an adventure tour of Costa Rica. I will be traveling from one side of the country to the other, exploring tropical rainforests, visiting Volcan Arenal (Costa Rica’s most active volcano), white water rafting on class IV rapids, visiting Rincón de la Vieja National Park, learning about the indigenous “Maleku” culture, and much more.
I hope that this trip will be the first of many volunteer opportunities in my future. After completing my degree in Nutrition, my goal is to use my skills to participate in more volunteering opportunities around the world. Any donation, no matter what size, is greatly appreciated. The money I raise here will go towards my flight and program fees. Thank you so so much!
I am also selling some of my handmade pottery and beads as a way of fundraising. Check them out here -https://www.facebook.com/sleaff/media_set?set=a.10208218943494768.1073741838.1337748138&type=3&pnref=story
Check out the official ISV Costa Rica video below!