Greenheart sri lanka elephant conservation usf internship proposal

Elephant Conservation in Sri Lanka

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Introduction to Greenheart Travel Greenheart Travel is personally invested in providing cultural immersion programs that change lives, advance careers and create leaders. Our organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to connecting people and planet to create a more peaceful and sustainable global community.

We provide others with the same positive travel experiences in which we ourselves engage. Through travel and cultural exchange, we help individuals reach their full potential, leading to a more tolerant, peaceful and environmentally sustainable world.

Greenheart Travel’s Values 

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A Commitment to the Environment: As the leading eco-friendly exchange organization, we are passionate about helping travelers explore the globe while respecting the environment and cultural heritage of the destinations they explore.

Our Carbon Offset Program: We donate a portion of your program fee to offset the carbon emissions your trip abroad will create, as well as donate to our environmentally-focused volunteer program partners to help them complete specific project goals. Check out how our past carbon offset donations have been put to good use: Creating Sustainability Within Our International Communities: We believe in supporting our travelers to make a positive impact in their host communities. The Greenheart Club is just one way we can help you promote green practices while traveling abroad through Greenheart Grant funding and community support.

Connecting with Our Local Chicago Community: Greenheart Travel plays an active role in community initiatives, informative workshops, and fundraisers to help others learn how to travel for a change in our hometown of Chicago, Illinois.

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Elephant Conservation Program in Sri Lanka We achieve the above goals and values by partnering with organizations and governments overseas that empower their local communities through experiential learning and practical development. One such partnership is our elephant conservation project in Sri Lanka.

History of Program We partner with the first non-governmental organization established in Sri Lanka with the sole purpose to conserve the dwindling biodiversity of Sri Lanka. The project is committed to developing a sustainable model for wildlife conservation through an inclusive conservation strategy that gives consideration to environmental protection, holistic development, poverty alleviation, social mobilization, decentralization, improving governance, and making optimum use of community resources.

Topic of Project We concurrently pursue three strategies to fulfill its mission and to achieve its goals and objectives, which is field research, applied conservation and sustainable economic development. The SLWCS began exploring ways to resolve the increasing threats associated with human-elephant conflict and its relationship with poverty. Wildlife conservation is not a stand-alone enterprise, but one best tackled simultaneously with community participation in order to ensure long-term success and viability of protecting wildlife.

The volunteer center also offers a variety of opportunities for the local communities and foreign participants to work together in order to increase environmental conservation awareness through communication and community service. We believe by doing our part in helping wild animals and educating the public on the struggle of these animals, we will be helping to restore the balance between man and nature.

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Intern Responsibilities You will work along with the scientists and conservationists to save Sri Lanka’s unique biodiversity while helping local communities to benefit from these efforts. As part of this program you will: -

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Participate in daily ecological research on elephants o Dung transect o Sand trap observation o Research & track behavior from tree huts Observe and assess human-elephant interactions and conflicts Work with local communities to teach environmental awareness & sustainability Help to monitor and evaluate innovative landscape management systems designed to buffer communities economically from elephant raids and to minimize such raids.

Identify rural livelihoods that adversely impact the environment and contribute to human-wildlife conflicts, and work to develop alternative livelihoods solutions

Location in Sri Lanka The project is located in Wasgamuwa National Park, a vast and diverse wilderness area in North Central Sri Lanka. You will fly into Colombo International Airport (CMB) and then take a variety of transportation methods to arrive in the national park on your first day.

Example Weekly Itinerary Your schedule will look very similar to this Monday-Friday. You should expect early mornings. You will have the weekends free to travel or rest with your fellow volunteers. All travel plans off of the national park need to be coordinated with local staff to ensure your safety and transportation since the site is quite remote.

Volunteer Daily Schedule 7am Sunrise wakeup at the field house 8am Breakfast 9am-noon Morning Volunteer activities (transecting, checking sand traps, project orange elephant) Noon-2pm Lunch and rest 2pm-5pm Afternoon Activities ( tree hut observations & documentation) 6pm Dinner at field house 7pm-9pm Rest, relaxation at field house

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Staff Involved in the Program

Ravi Corea Founder, CEO & President of Project. Ravi Corea founded the project in 1995 to establish a new paradigm for sustainable conservation that balances ecosystem protection and economic development within his native country of Sri Lanka. Initiated in 1997, this represents one of the best-known, community-based efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. Since its inception, Ravi has helped evolve ecological research, applied conservation, community participation, community development, and sustainable economic development.

Chathuranga Dharmarathne Field Projects Manager. He earned his degree in conservation at the University of Sri Jayewardnepura in Sri Lanka and began working with Ravi shortly afterwards. He is passionate about wildlife and actually lives at the field house. He coordinates all of the logistical work of the volunteer & intern experience and will be your main point of contact while in Sri Lanka.

Megan Arzbaecher Born and raised in the Midwest, Megan studied History and International Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She also participated in a 4 month around-the-world educational program with Semester at Sea, which opened her eyes to the need for culturally conscious education and global sustainability. Megan will be your program manager at Greenheart Travel and will be the primary contact prior to your departure for Sri Lanka, as well as your main coordinator for the internship program. All communication, questions and processing for your paperwork will go through Megan.

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What is it like in Sri Lanka?

No one ever said being a volunteer is easy! You will undoubtedly face many challenges during your program and some bumps along the road. However, with a positive attitude and a sense of humor, those bumps can turn into great learning experiences.

You should be prepared to live and work as a member of a team, including sharing accommodation and helping with domestic chores. Although flexibility and a positive attitude are essential, you don’t need any prior skills or experience, as you’ll get all the training you’ll need on-site.

You should be prepared to interact with people from all walks of life. Be open and respectful of different habits and lifestyles. While communication barriers are difficult to deal with sometimes, try your best to just go with it and use your hands if you need to!

Accommodation Due to the remote location of the project, accommodation is included in the cost of this program. You will live in a field house with the other staff, interns & volunteers.

The field house can accommodate up to 18 volunteers and is only 15 minutes from the entrance to the Wasgamuwa National Park. The field house is in a remote area with little other opportunities to explore or travel. This program is very rustic and you should expect to live “off the grid” for a majority of your time at the field house. We recommend bringing lots of books, games or leisure materials with you to do during your down time.

The rooms are separated by gender. There are four modern bathrooms with flush toilets, showers and sinks. There is only cold water. Electric fans, mosquito nets, pillows and clean bed sheets are provided, but you should bring their own towel. All staff & volunteers live in the same place, so you should be prepared for a communal life-work balance.

Internet You will have access to long-distance communications whilst on the program, but service may be sporadic. There is mobile phone coverage at the field house, and if you prefer regular access to internet, we recommend getting a 3G enabled phone card when you arrive in Sri Lanka. Participants typically use calling cards or you can get a local prepaid SIM for your unlocked phone to keep in touch. Local phones can be purchased at the airport for as little as $25. There is wifi internet available at the field house, but

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service is intermittent and used largely for emergencies and research documentation. You should not expect to use it regularly.

Meals Tasty, wholesome, healthy meals and packed lunches are provided three times a day. All the meals are freshly prepared in a local style. Most meals will be vegetarian, with egg, fish and soy for protein.

Breakfast could be dhal, rice & curry, toast, and/or bananas, while lunch is typically a light meal, and evening meal will be larger. Often volunteers are regularly surprised by the creativity of our chefs who turn simple ingredients into delicious meals. There is a 24hr tea/coffee stations

Water Water at the field house and on the program site has been filtered and is safe to drink. If you travel off site, we recommend only to drink bottled water or drinks from cans. Please avoid tap water, ice cubes and drinking from public fountains. Only drink tap water if it has been boiled for several minutes or treated with filtration tablets. Don’t be tempted to eat food that may have been washed in contaminated water. Remember — “boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it. “

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Logistical Information Start Dates: This program is offered in throughout the year in the Spring, Summer and Fall terms. We offer multiple start dates for your flexibility and we can coordinate with your schedule once you are accepted onto the program.

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All arrivals are on Sunday All stays are for 6 weeks.

Program Fee Unlike some of the other internship programs, Greenheart Travel offers an all-inclusive program fee which includes all of your in-country expenses. You will pay this fee upfront directly to Greenheart Travel via credit card.

Program Cost: $3900

What is included in the program fee?

Round trip airfare from TPA to CMB

Accommodations for 6 weeks on program

3 meals per day

Pre-departure cultural orientation

Pick up at CMB Airport

Drop off at CMB Airport

On-site animal safety training

24 hour emergency support

Certificate of completion at end of program

Emergency Medical Insurance

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