This project is looking for four volunteer field assistants to study the behavioural ecology of lance-tailed manakins from 15 February to 20 June 2012. Participants will be involved in work investigating questions such as how indirect genetic benefits affect female mate choice, why dominant males tolerate subordinate co-operators, and how male experience affects display performance. Responsibilities will include re-sighting colour-banded birds, daily maintenance of an automated detection system, conducting many hour-long behavioural observations at display sites, nest-searching through dense secondary-growth dry tropical forest, and mist netting birds for banding and blood sampling, as well as data entry and organizational tasks. Experience in one or more of these areas is strongly preferred. Applicants should have a very strong interest in animal behaviour, birds, and field biology. Review of applications will continue until positions are filled.

Upon successful completion of the field season, assistants will be reimbursed for round-trip airfare (maximum of £625) and will receive a one-time £312 stipend to help defray any personal costs of participation. Food, housing, and in-country transportation are also provided.

This internship is a great opportunity for anyone pursuing a career in social work, community organizing, political science or non-profit management. Managing a grassroots non-profit requires wearing many hats: fundraising, marketing, bookkeeping, reporting and managing resources. This internship can be tailored to your specific area of interest, but will also give you the opportunity to experience the full range of non-profit administrative tasks, including learning about grant writing for a non-profit organization. The project seeks interns from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds to lend their hands and ideas to better the community.

The project costs £185 per month which includes on-site orientation and training, accommodation, kitchen space, purified water, and cleaning supplies.

The LIVFund Scholarship has been designed for anyone who wants to learn, intern or volunteer in Latin America and is seeking financial assistance to offset their program or living abroad expenses.

The scholarship competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has plans to learn, intern or volunteer abroad in one of the following countries for at least one (1) week:

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela.

LIVFund will award two (2) US$500 scholarships per month to selected recipients.

Candidates may apply for the LIVFund Scholarship up to six (6) months in advance of their program start date.

Applications are accepted year-round.

Please visit the LIVFund website for more information about this unique funding opportunity.

This project offers a limited number of positions to work as Research Assistant’s (RAs) each year at three different biological field stations in Costa Rica (two on the Caribbean coast and one on the Pacific coast).

RAs are considered part of the project staff and will have specific duties to carry out. However, the common duties of RAs on the Caribbean coast are to lead teams of volunteers on beach patrols while searching for nesting Leatherback sea turtles, and to ensure that all research/conservation activities are carried out correctly. RAs are also in charge of the turtle hatcheries and the training of new volunteers. After training, RAs will also be responsible for the tagging of turtles and for correctly recording research data for each turtle. There is also a rescue centre for sea turtles at one of the biological field stations on the Caribbean coast under construction. RAs will also be asked to coordinate the activities at the rescue centre, including the registration of new patients, daily monitoring, feeding, training of volunteers, and sea turtle releases. RAs can participate in one of the three following periods: February to April, May to July, or August to October.

The project on the Pacific coast conducts in-water studies on the Pacific Green and Hawksbill sea turtle population. Project staff and volunteers go out on a boat to capture sea turtles with the purpose of taking various samples, collecting data and tagging. A mangrove reforestation program and a rescue centre is also operational at this site in order to improve marine conservation in the area and to nurse weak sea turtles. These provide further tasks for RAs at this site (i.e. planting trees, helping weak sea turtles, and supervising volunteers). The in-water study accepts volunteers year round.

RAs are asked to contribute £6 per day to help cover the cost of accommodation, food, orientation, and training.

This project is looking for research assistants (RAs) for its Leatherback sea turtle monitoring programme. RAs will be trained in sea turtle monitoring techniques and work under the supervision of field coordinators. The primary responsibilities of RAs include nightly tagging, track surveys, nest monitoring and excavation. RAs are responsible for tagging nesting turtles, collecting biometric data from females, recording nesting activity during track surveys, and other pertinent data collection. In addition to monitoring work, RAs are also responsible for training short-term paying volunteers and leading volunteer groups during beach patrols. RAs will also be required to develop and participate in various environmental awareness and educational activities in the local community. RAs have gone on to work for conservation organizations, universities and government agencies worldwide. RAs are needed from 5 March to 1 June 2012. The application deadline is the 9 January 2012.

RAs receive free board and lodging for the entire duration of their stay.

This project is looking for Field Assistants (FAs) for the 2012 nesting season of the critically endangered Leatherback turtle. The work includes leading night patrols on the beach to identify, measure and tag adult turtles, relocating nests, monitoring hatcheries, and releasing hatchlings. Applicants should be advanced student or recent graduate in biology or some related field. Previous field experience an advantage but not essential. FAs are needed from 26 February to 30 June 2012 in Costa Rica, and 1 March to 15 July 2012 in Panama. FAs will be chosen by the end of November 2011.

FAs at the Costa Rican site are required to do a personal research project of their choice. There are 6 kms of beach and 2000 acres of forest from which to choose a subject. Projects in 2012 include: monitoring of Agami Heron nesting season; census of three species of monkey in the reserve; medicinal plants; organic vegetable garden; working with children at local school. FAs can do these projects individually or share with another FA, depending on the extent of the subject.

FAs receive free food and lodging throughout their stay at the project sites.

This island ecovillage is looking for environmentally minded volunteers to help create and operate a sustainable community in an ocean park reserve. Volunteer activities include working on an organic farm (based on the principles of Permaculture), clearing an eco-trail system and setting up a tipi style campground. Volunteers work on average 5-6 hours per day and in their free time can enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities. The project offers volunteers a great cultural exchange and unique living experience.

The project costs £6 per day which includes accommodation. Food isn’t included but the ecovillage will make its own produce available for consumption.

This surf camp is looking for skilled workers (i.e. builders, carpenters, electricians, roofers, etc) to build new accommodation in a surfing paradise. In their spare time volunteers can learn to surf, go diving, fishing, explore the surrounding area, sunbathe, or simply relax in a hammock with a good book.

Volunteers receive free board and lodging.

This project is looking for professional photographers to take product shots, which will be used to sell woven items online. They require model shots, interior decor shots, and single product shots. The project will support volunteers in organizing the photo shoot, and provide photography guidelines (the kind of photos they need for each product type), transportation to and from photo shoot location, and the models. Volunteers must possess their own photographic equipment and computer, and the ability to be flexible and creative with available resources on site. Both short and long term volunteers are welcome.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers cover their own living expenses. The project provides an airport pickup (if required) and assistance in finding affordable accommodation.

This project collects and distributes Christmas presents for poor children. The aim is to give poor and abandoned children something to smile about at Christmas. It aims to collect as many gifts as possible but discourages items that glamorise war or encourage violence. Volunteers can help collect, pack and distribute the presents between the poorest communities. Donations (gifts) from international volunteers are very welcome.

There is a wide array of other short and long term volunteer opportunities. Short-term volunteers (4 to 8 weeks) help with the construction or improvement of homes for families in need, participate in various workshops or in project administration tasks (i.e. translation, development of projects, grant writing etc). Longer term volunteers (2 to 6 months) can develop a project that utilises their academic or professional experience, or work on an existing project. There’s a particular need for people who have socio-cultural or sports training, also educators or student teachers, psychologists, social workers, anthropologists, and grant writers. However, all types of volunteers are welcome.

Volunteers can opt for a homestay with a carefully screened family (approx £180 per month including meals), or organise their own accommodation and food.