The core goal of our organization is to preserve and study the endemic and critically endangered Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana; Ctenosaura bakeri (also known as ‘swamper’) and its critical mangrove habitat. Other core goals of the project include sustainable development of the island of Utila (a popular destination for divers); as well as promotion of environmental awareness among the local inhabitants by providing scientific information and environmental education.
The project has been completely self-financed since the beginning of 2007; therefore; the fees received from volunteers go directly towards environmental research & conservation of Utila’s sensitive ecosystems and species. To date; more than 1000 volunteers have assisted our work.
The jobs for volunteers are varied and include: wildlife monitoring; environmental education; assisting with the iguana’s breeding programme (seasonal); station maintenance and community outreach.
A number of volunteers are students in biology or veterinary medicine; but assistance from people with other skills are welcome and will be of great assistance. For example: carpenters (renovation work of the station or the cages); IT (computer repair; website management); communication experts (e.g. making flyers and writing tourist information); and teachers (e.g. for environmental education in Utila’s schools); and others. The doors are open to everyone passionate for nature conservation.
We need your help and support to make our conservation effort a complete success.
The Breeding Season is from March to July. The rest of the year volunteers will participate in resident research and conservation projects that may include mangrove restoration; native and invasive mammal species monitoring; and coastal erosion monitoring.
Utila; Islas de la Bahia
Year round
3 weeks minimum
Adults of both sexes 22+
Voluntary service on Utila is particularly attractive to students and graduates in the biological sciences as they are able to gather experience in the conservation of species and in field research in the tropics. Nonetheless; this project is open to anyone who wants to be actively engaged in a goal oriented nature conservation project.
The station fee is 80 Euros per week (or equivalent in US Dollars) which covers training; a bedroom; water; gas; electricity; drinking water; Wi-Fi; washing machine. Volunteers who stay for periods of less than three months have to pay an additional registration fee of 130 Euros. You are expected to take enough money to cover personal expenses such as food and leisure while on the project.
