Ocean Spirits is a registered, non-profit marine conservation organisation based in Grenada, West Indies. From its inception in 1999, Ocean Spirits have focused primarily on the conservation of marine turtles found throughout Grenada's coastal waters and beaches. As a member and the country coordinator of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Network (WIDECAST) we work at a national and regional level, with support and expert advice which ensures we are continually striving to meet universal, conservation objectives and make valid contributions to the international scientific community.
Legal and illegal fisheries, incidental catch, loss of habitat and the poaching of eggs all contribute to the decrease of sea turtles here in Grenada. Working together with our local communities, government and international organisations we aim to ensure that sea turtles remain a key species in Grenada's rich biodiversity.
As a volunteer with us you will become an active, hands on team member consisting of local and international staff members, gaining data collection and field experience with the largest reptile, Leatherback sea turtles. Through Ocean Spirits presence of the nesting beaches you will directly help to reduce the illegal poaching of turtle eggs, as our presence alone deters poachers. You will have the opportunity to help create awareness through educational events. It is also a wonderful opportunity to work along side a wide range of fellows from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
2018, marks our 19th year of Leatherback monitoring. The nesting season operates March- July, with August focused on hatchlings. Grenada is located in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea. Grenada is only 133sq miles in size and has a population of 108,000. Known as the Spice isle it is rich in a variety of spices; nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, mace and cocoa. Once part of the British Colonies, Grenada is English speaking.
You will be based in the picturesque north east of the island. The area is a piece of paradise with views of the ocean and off shore islands.
The accommodation is basic but comfortable, comprises of two properties next door to each other, with same 2-3 persons per room and sex shared bedrooms. Beds/futons and pillows are provided, linen and towels are not. The house has a fridge/freezer, gas cooker. limited WiFi access, 220 and 110V electricity supply. There is a fan in each bedroom (no air conditioning); mosquito nets are recommended if you react badly to bites. A full list of items recommended to bring will be provided in your volunteer handbook.
Here at Ocean Spirits we operate on weekly schedules. Each week you can expect to complete 3-4 night patrols, 2-3 morning patrols, beach profiling, education outreach activities, nest excavations (during hatchling season) and take your turn at household duties with one day off each week granted.
Morning Survey
This monitoring work takes place on a beach closest to the project accommodation and involves walking down the hill from the research station (10 minutes) at first light to check the beach for any nesting events or turtles, recorded them before covering them over to avoid poachers finding.
Night Patrol
This takes place under the cover of darkness on of the third largest Leatherback nesting beach in the region. A short 10 minute drive away. Once on the beach two teams are formed both lead by qualified supervisors. Each team takes it in turns to patrol the 800m long beach searching for nesting turtles. Once a nesting turtle is found it is carefully approached and volunteers are given the opportunity to get hands on data collection experience; carapace measurements, flipper tagging, egg counting and nest relocations.
Beach Profiling
Once a week a team will profile the main nesting beach to monitor changes in the beach and to provide information on the best location for nests that require to be relocated
Education and Outreach
Education plays a great role in our work in ensuring the message of the importance of sea turtles is spread. Volunteers are given the opportunity to take part in classroom activities, school field trips, environmental science classes, summer camps and help disseminate information relating to turtle conservation at community awareness days in Grenada. You may also have the opportunity to join call-outs reported in via the national Sea Turtle hotline (subject to safety and availability) throughout your stay.
Nest Excavations
If you are lucky enough to be with us during hatchling season you will take part in nest excavations to discover the success rates of each turtle nest laid
Household Duties
We operate our project house like a family home. Everyone takes their turn in cleaning, cooking and equipment maintenance. It is a great opportunity to show off your cooking skills and try dishes from a variety of different cultures.
The program runs of thee week cycles with the option to join for 3-12 weeks with assigned arrival and departure dates. On arrival days the project will
provide one transfer from Maurice Bishop/Point Salines International Airport to
the project camp in the north of the island 1.5 hrs away, the pickup will be at 6:00pm in the
evening (should all volunteers arrive earlier the taxi time will be adjusted to accommodate the group). Should you arrive outside this time we can coordinate a taxi for you that you will be required to pay for.
2019 Dates
2nd-23 March 2019
23rd March - 13th April 2019
13th April to 4th May 2019
4th May to 25th May 2019
25th May to 15th June 2019
15th June to 6th July 2019
6th July to 27th July 2019
27th July - 17th August 2019
This includes quality accommodation, food, airport transfer (one pick-up scheduled for 6pm at Point Salines International Airport, Grenada on first day of placement), training and supervision; project t-shirts and Projects backup and placement support. Airfare, travel/medical insurance and personal expenses are not included in the cost. It is mandatory for you to take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of the project.
Each group has a set day to arrive. On this day the project will provide one transfer from Maurice Bishop/Point Salines International Airport to the project camp in the north of the island 1.5 hrs away. The pickup will be at 6:00pm in the evening. On arrival at the airport, please look for a person with an Ocean Spirits Logo at the arrival area (logo as on front page).
You will be based in the picturesque north east of the Island. The area is a windswept piece of paradise, which boasts a number of uninhabited offshore islands surrounded by coral reefs teeming with life. The accommodation comprises of a solid concrete built house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large balcony with incredible views across the outer islands and Carriacou. Sleeping arrangements are single sex rooms, with beds/futons and pillows provided. Linen and towels are not provided. The house has a fridge/freezer, gas cooker, telephone (outgoing calls are for project related needs only, you can receive incoming calls), 220 & 110V electricity supply. There is a fan in each room (no A/C); mosquito nets are not provided but if you react badly to bites you may wish to bring one with you
Everybody will get the chance to demonstrate their culinary expertise! Cooking will be rotated and meals are prepared using seasonal, local produce (shopping is done in the nearby town of Sautuers, food variations are limited e.g. cheese is cheddar - we have many recipes available). All food is vegetarian*; breakfast and lunch are 'help yourself'. Dinner is a cooked meal and is a social affair, attended by everyone on the project. *For those who cannot do without meat, past volunteers have chipped in to buy chicken or fish etc and cook it in addition to the vegetarian evening meal
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