VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
EDUCATION PROJECT Botanical Garden Costa Rica Ecological
A DAY AT THE PROGRAMME HOURS ACTIVITIES 7AM-7.30AM Breakfast at your host family or residence 8:30AM-3PM Work at the Garden (Morning Option). 3PM-open Free time to explore the city and diner. *This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change.
Mission Internationally recognized for its noteworthy collections of epiphytes, the Botanical Garden was established in 1973 as a center for the exhibition, conservation and research of tropical epiphytic plants, with a special forests host over 3,000 species of plants. The plant collections in conservatories come from botanical expeditions, donations, and exchanges with botanical institutions throughout the world. Most of the plants with reliable data as to origin have been collected and the associated information is added to the inventory and a database. They are also used as analysis, seeds, pollinaria, and other uses. The plant collections cultivated in conservatories are an essential resource for the Garden’s researchers and researchers from other institutions that work on joint projects. They also provide useful material for public display and other educational purposes. Epiphytic plants are a vital and poorly studied component of the biological diversity of the Tropics. Unfortunately, many species are threatened by a combination of factors among which deforestation and illegal extraction are the most important. According to its mission, the conservation of epiphytic plants is a fundamental activity of the Botanical Garden.
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 1. How many volunteers can the Project employ monthly? Maximum 4. 2. Has the organization received volunteers in the past? Yes they had received volunteers since 1998 3. If it has received volunteers in the past, please write since what month and year: They have received help from volunteers in all different areas. 4. Are there any special features to which the volunteers has to pay attention to when working at this project? (Religion, illnesses, extra-vaccination, etc) No.
5. Any requirements to attend this programme? Only the strong desire to help and get involve in the main task of the Garden. 6. The project receives volunteers all year round? Yes, but depends on availability. 7. Please specify holidays or other dates when the project closes and can not receive volunteers: The project can receive volunteers during the entire year but depend of availability. 8. Is there a minimum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? Two weeks 9. Is there a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? No there isn’t . 10. Please give detailed description of tasks and duties of the volunteer:
Volunteering Volunteering is an important contribution for the maintenance and development of the Botanical Garden. Every year, volunteers of different ages and nationalities contribute in fundamental tasks such as the general
11. Indicate the times and days the volunteer will be working in the week: The work schedule on the project will be from 8:00am-1:00pm and/or from 1:30pm-3pm Monday to Thursday. You can work full or part-time.
LOCATION OF THE PROJECT 12. PLEASE INDICATE THE CLOSEST CITY OR TOWN TO THE PROJECT. Paraiso de Cartago 13. INDICATE WHAT TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION THERE IS FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CITY TO THE PROJECT, ITS COSTS AND APPROXIMATELY TIME THAT WILL TAKE: TYPE COST TIME IT WILL TAKE Bus 0.25 15 minutes (from the home stay). Taxi $3 5 minutes (from the home stay). 14. DESCRIBE THE SORROUNDINGS OF THE PROJECT (country side, urban, town). The area is drained by the rivers Reventazón, Cuericí, Villegas, dos Amigos, Quirí, Purisil, Macho and Paloma. Farming is the region’s most important economic activity and main crops include coffee, sugarcane, The cool climate during the whole year is very pleasing. The average temperature is 19 Degree Celsius.
ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS 15. Type of Accommodation? Volunteers can stay at a host family or residence. Host families are located in good residential neighborhoods in Paraiso. Home stays have been picked and chosen after an application process to make sure they have everything Participants need. The residence is located only a few minutes from Paraiso downtown main transportation system. The residence has shared bedrooms, bathrooms with hot water, a common room, kitchen and a laundry room. The house is fully equipped and features Breakfast Lunch and dinner is included at host families and no meals at the residence option.
WHAT IS INCLUDED? Accommodation throughout your programme at a home stay or residence. Breakfast Lunch and dinner (Home stay option). Orientation upon arrival. Airport transfer on arrival to San Jose. Full on-site support and assistance. On-site 24 hour emergency contact number.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED? Personal travel insurance. All items of personal nature. Any extra activities and excursions not described on the planned itinerary. Transfer back to the airport at the end of the programme.