Volunteering with Osa Turtles - World Challenge Bristol

Here on Playa Preciosa in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, we currently only have 2 resident volunteers working hard to protect turtle nests from poachers and collecting data on the turtles that come here to lay. However, the summer of 2017 has brought over 80 British World Challengers to this beach to help in any way they can... from weeding pineapple plantations and picking up litter, to learning about female turtles and assisting with nest relocations.

World Challenge Bristol have been kind enough to write us a few little messages, summarising their experiences on this project... for any interested future volunteers, hopefully these give you an idea of what it's like and what you'll get up to if you come and join us here at Osa Turtles!

"It is so beautiful here; the wildlife and trees are amazing, as well as the sea being gorgeous. Jamie (our coordinator) makes everything fun, even the rubbish collection and disposal, and to be honest everything she says is interesting. I would 100% come back here to volunteer ( and I am finally getting a tan!)"

From Bitsy Pout

 "I have found the experience here eye-opening to say the least! During a beach clean-up lasting only a few hours, we collected 1800 pieces of rubbish, which we were told, was their highest count for a clean-up! I’d never felt more aware of the need to protect and conserve our environment. I’ve loved my time and feel I’ve had a real opportunity to make a difference – I will definitely be using this experience to encourage others to get involved with conservation projects, especially those working to end poaching."

From Issy Wyatt

"The experience with Osa Turtles has been very eye-opening. We have learnt about the issues endangering the turtles of the Osa first hand, watching poachers stroll the beach and collecting 1800 pieces of litter on one day have made these threats very real. I have also been lucky enough to witness a turtle coming to lay her eggs on the beach. All of these experiences have been very fun and have encouraged me to look for similar opportunities to protect the environment."

From Rob Marshall

"During my time volunteering here, I’ve done plenty of jobs that are very therapeutic such as weeding pineapples and sorting out the garbage from the beach. Not only is it a great experience, it is very educational to inform others of how important this project is. P.S. It is also a great spot if you are wanting a tan."

From Isaac Allen

"The opportunities given by Osa Turtles are unbelievable and have given me so many unique experiences; I’ve seen two laying turtles, witnessed excavations and relocations and was part of the biggest beach clean-up Playa Preciosa had seen. I’ve loved getting so involved and would definitely come back."

From Jamie Ella Porter

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Osa Turtles Project, doing labour, helping around the area as well as doing the night patrols. My favourite part of it all is being around the extensive amount of wildlife and knowing that my effort is helping the local area."

From Ben Hernandez

"I have enjoyed volunteering at Osa Turtles and actively helping by going on night patrols. This has shown me the issues being faced by the turtle population in the Osa Peninsula and how we can affect them."

From Hassan Ahmed

"I volunteered at Osa Turtles through World Challenge and spent 5 days and 4 nights helping with data collection, patrolling, litter picking and other jobs around the camp site. The team and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and have felt that we have made a real difference through the work we have done. It has been such an eye-opening experience for me, especially doing the beach clean-up. My favourite part of this project was seeing a mother turtle lay her eggs during the first 3am beach walk shift. I recommend everyone to volunteer here and I can guarantee it will be both an inspiring and educational experience."

From Joe 

"This project has opened my eyes to the world of conservation. The patrols quickly become draining, but if you’re in the right place at the right time, they become incredibly rewarding. Working closely with people like Jamie who are so inspirational is great fun. I’ve also really enjoyed cleaning the beach which has been a great way to see first-hand how humans affect the environment and its inhabitants. It also feels great to know that the beach is now roughly 1800 pieces cleaner. I’m definitely more aware of the efforts and importance of conservation. Thank you to everyone involved with Osa Turtles for everything you do and for making the experience here incredible! P.S. The turtles are really beautiful creatures."

From Jasmine Geake, our passionate Volunteer of the Week!

Thank you, World Challenge Bristol, for your valued contributions to Osa Turtles this summer! Keep spreading your love for nature and protecting it!

What Conservation Means to Us

What Conservation Means to Us - The Inspiring Words of 'World Challenge Rugby'

According to the Centre for Biological Diversity, our planet is currently going through its 6th mass extinction of plant and animal species, with the highest number of extinctions since the loss of the dinosaurs millions of years ago. Over 16,000 living species are currently endangered worldwide, with 99% of these being in this position due to human activities.

In a world with so many amazing creatures in danger of extinction, knowing the meaning of the term 'conservation' and how to actually put it into practice is so important... especially among our youngest generations! Our young people are the ones that will have to work the hardest if we are going to conserve the species we still have left!

Luckily for us here on Playa Preciosa, we have seen that there are some environmentally aware and passionate young people with a true understanding for conservation. After a busy summer of World Challenge groups from the UK helping us here to conserve the Osa Turtles, we have finally had time to share some of their inspiring words with you!

"We believe that conservation is a group effort, and that the smallest contributions help to make a significant difference. We think that a sustainable world is of great importance to the future of looking after our planet… this should not only be a joint effort which continues, but also something that works on an international level, using education and knowledge to aid those in less developed countries to also help the future of the environment. Whilst more can be done in developed countries, such as the UK and the USA, we believe that engaged people in such places should use their knowledge and expertise to extend this ethos further across the world, together creating a greater impact in the protection of the planet. Whilst smaller efforts carry significant importance, we think that such extreme measures taken against the sustainability of marine life in recent decades should also be brought to light. The culling of sharks and the entrapment of other sea life for the purposes of leisure and entertainment already poses a great threat to the conservation of marine life specifically, and that is something we feel passionately about."

By Ellen, Beth and Lydia.

"Conservation to us is making the area sustainable for future generations, achieved by protecting habitats and ecosystems. In Costa Rica we have seen recycling, which in the UK we have not fully developed, but which could be developed further by encouraging the charge of plastic carrier bags in shops as this raises awareness and funds to counter the other environmental concerns. Having just left school, we are at an age when we are choosing what to do with our lives. Our time at Osa turtles has been inspirational as it has raised our awareness of the need for sustainability, conservation and the teaching of responsible agricultural practices, whether that be in the small things we do every day, or in the directions our careers take."

Sarah, Esmee, Beth and Nilum.

"For most people, conservation is not about direct intervention, but about the small but significant changes people can make to their daily lives. Back at home we aim to live sustainably by making a number of changes such as using electronic razors rather than disposable plastic ones. Modern developments along these lines include ‘Moon Cups’ as an alternative to disposable female sanitary products. As a country, the UK has begun to charge for the use of plastic carrier bags without the purchase of meat – this is minimising plastic usage and waste. Although this seems insignificant for a 5p charge, it makes people aware of their plastic waste as well as how this could be damaging wildlife and species such as turtles and birds here in Costa Rica. The few days spent here in the Osa Peninsula have inspired and changed our future outlook which we hope will be reflected in the careers we pursue, whether they be in medicine, law, geography or something else!"

Katie, Lucy, Emily, Letty and Ellie.

"Conservation to me is about the sustainability of the planet as a whole. Personally, I believe that rising sea levels are the problem that lay at the heart of conserving our planet. In order to allow for resources to be available for our current generation as well as future generations, a global effort is required to solve a global problem. By protecting the worldwide land masses from dramatic and significant changes in sea level, and preventing the submergence of vulnerable land, this will enable vast ecosystems to be conserved. If more developed, capable countries unite with areas in desperate need of aid and protection, then the impact of sea level rise could be minimised considerably. The key to achieving the goal of minimizing sea level rise is knowledge. If the globe is educated about the possible dreadful implications of this serious problem and every individual made one small step to a cleaner planet, then maybe its conservation could truly be achieved. Maybe if people were made more aware of how quickly our planet is accelerating towards an unsustainable, selfish, consumer-hungry world, who knows what we could all achieve by working holistically!"

Alisa

Communicate with locals

Open your mind and think past your own generation

Nature reserves and national parks

Saving species from extinction

Energy efficiency

Reducing human impact on the environment

Volunteer direct action

Adapting your lifestyle to be more eco-friendly

Talk openly about local, national and global concerns

Inform others on environmental issues

Only using recyclable materials

Now or never (… but preferably now!)

Megan, Emily, Grace, Olivia and Alice.

Thank you, World Challenge Rugby, for your passionate contributions to the conservation efforts here in Costa Rica! Keep spreading knowledge and passion!