National Park Conservation in Costa Rica

Overarching Goal and Objectives:

Goal:

to build leadership and life skills of youth in the Americas through exchange, civic engagement, and collaborative community development

Objectives:

1. increase active youth involvement in communities
2. increase knowledge and awareness of cultural, environmental, and health issues
3. collaborate with community members on Community-Based Initiative (CBI) process
   

Description of Project:

AMIGOS Volunteers will spend roughly one week each in three of Costa Rica’s national parks (Tenorio, Manuel Antonio, and Chirripó*) performing service work inside the parks (light construction, trail maintenance, laying  bricks, clearing paths, etc), developing leadership, interpersonal and cross cultural skills, and learning from park rangers about local flora and fauna in each park. Participants will include 15 U.S. Volunteers and 45 Costa Rican youth.

While in the parks, Volunteers will alternate between working on service projects and having time off to explore the park.  Volunteers will be responsible for organizing themselves into work teams to facilitate the planning and completion of construction projects. In addition, Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in discussions held by park rangers about the ecology and environment within the park.

The Volunteer Application deadline is November 16, 2007.

Project Area:

The first park visit will be to Parque Nacional Volcan Tenorio, located in the northwest of the country. This park features a volcano, a secondary wet tropical forest, a river and a waterfall. The water there is sky blue from the minerals and thermally heated by the volcano. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, in the south on the Pacific Coast, will be the second park visit. It features a beach, a wet tropical secondary forest and excellent bird watching. The third and final park will be Parque Nacional Chirripó, located near San Isidro, which features the highest point in Costa Rica and a variety of high elevation ecosystems. Volunteers should be prepared for a strenuous hike in and out of Chirripó. Please note that parks are subject to change, and this information will be updated accordingly if changes are made.

Project History:

AMIGOS has been working continuously in Costa Rica since 1981. Over this time period, our primary projects have changed dramatically in response to Costa Rica’s relative successes in its economic, political, environmental, and health conditions. Although economic inequality exists, Costa Ricans enjoy the highest per capita standard of living in Central America. In 2004 AMIGOS began an outstanding partnership with Casa de la Juventud, a non-profit organization that develops and implements youth leadership and community development programs throughout Costa Rica.

2008 will be AMIGOS’ second year working with the National Parks in Costa Rica on a J-term project. However, Casa de la Juventud our partner agency has been working in the national parks for over ten years.  The parks all know and respect the program and are eager to work with AMIGOS Volunteers and CASA volunteers.  They were very impressed by the group in 2007 and are excited to work with us again in 2008!

*parks subject to change

Partner Agencies:

National Parks of Costa Rica
Casa de la Juventud

Further Actions:

• Contact mosgood@amigoslink.org or call 1-800-231-7796 ext. 116 to learn more and/or apply to be a J-term Volunteer

• Contact khighum@amigoslink.org or call 1-800-231-7796 ext. 144 to apply to be a Project Staff member on J-term.

• View photos from 2007 January Term in Costa Rica

• View the 2007 January Term Slideshow