Protecting the Marine Turtles at Colola IX

PROJECT: For over 14 years this project has been organized in the Turtle Camp at Colola
Beach with extraordinary results. This project is the source of many beautiful stories;
hundreds of volunteers from all over the world had participated. The aim of these projects
are to protect the marine turtles working in tight collaboration with the local population
who lives in Colola Town or as they say “the place where dreams come true” volunteers
along with local people will realize activities to protect the turtles, and will help to ensure
the survival of the turtles for the future generations. There are two species of turtles
arriving to this area: Negra (Black Turtle) and Golfina (Olive Riddle Turtle), the size of the
turtles vary from 1 meter to 1.5 meters long and the weight from 40 Kg to 100 Kg. Every
turtle makes a nest of around 150 eggs. If you like nature, to spend a time in an
astonishing beautiful virgin beach far away from hotels and tourists, and witness the
magic that nature had made for millions of years this project is for you!
ACTIVITIES: The main work consists in patrolling the beach at night, find the adult turtles
and collect the eggs, burying them in a secure place (vivero in Spanish) and set the baby
turtles free back in to the ocean. This must be carried out by night since turtles do not
go out the ocean by day (because of natural predators, it is safer for turtles to get out
the ocean in the dark). In collaboration with local indigenous people from Colola,
volunteers will seek for the turtles taking care of their eggs and the baby turtles. Locals
are very friendly and working with them is very pleasant as they explain to the group
what to do. We need very motivated volunteers who really want to get involved in this
project willing to interact with the local people and their culture.
There are also some extra activities to do with the local people to help to improve the
town like setting names to the streets or helping to arrange an “all purpose” playground
for the children and maybe some cleaning tasks, but it depends on your
initiative! Local people are very open to participate in other activities and volunteers can
also propose their own initiatives, so your ideas will be welcomed!
LEISURE POSIBILITIES: There are many nice activities that can be done close to Colola
Beach http://www.visitmichoacan.com.mx/la-costa/aquila/3397-Colola.html , for
example you can visit Chicuasa, it is a small spot protected by reefs that make a natural
pool where you can go to swim every day, it is also possible to discover other towns such
as La Placita or Maruata, also if you prefer you can visit for the weekend big touristic
centers such as Ixtapa http://www.ixtapa.net/ and Manzanillo http://
www.conocemanzanillo.com/
PLACE: Colola is located in the pacific coast of Mexico, if you want to see a Map please
follow this link, http://www.viajeros.com/destinos/colola/mapa the closest city is
Tecoman.
ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay at the turtle camp in Colola which is a wooden
construction made of coco palm trees. It is safe and very fresh (needed in the warm
weather of the beach!!!). There are wooden beds (no mattresses!), a kitchen, a rustic
bathroom and a place to stock food. There is electricity just enough to light some lamps.
It is necessary to bring sleeping bag and mattress.
CLOSEST AIRPORT: The biggest closest international airport is in Mexico City.
CAMP LANGUAGE: The official language of the workcamp is English, but some Spanish,
would be appreciated.
EXTRA FEE: €180