About Corcovado Foundation Ecosystem Restoration Community
For 20 years, the Corcovado Foundation has nurtured a generation of children who look at their natural surroundings and see nature’s amazingness and daily gifts.
Our program has reached beyond environmental education and integrates human beings as part of the ecosystem. We dream about wholesome children who are stewards of their environment.
We support children’s education in schools; therefore, we visit schools and work with groups of children in the afternoons. In addition, we promote sustainable community development by coordinating recycling, animal welfare, women’s development, and many other projects. We also promote responsible marine tourism, sustainable tourism and rural community tourism.
Since 2020, the Corcovado Foundation has aligned with United Nations objectives to prevent, stop, and reverse the degradation of global ecosystems. Our new programs are action-based initiatives for ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture. Foundation volunteers learn and support the local community in various regenerative practices and improve food security, protect water supplies, and restore levels of biodiversity compromised by human and climate disruption.
With this program, you will do a combination of forest restoration, regenerative agriculture, and community activities. Local families that we will support are in the process of beginning to transform their way of farming and become regenerative farmers. Your support can make a
significant difference!
What can you expect
• Live a rural and authentic experience. By becoming a volunteer, you can understand the PURA VIDA essence.
• Combining nature and culture near the most biologically intense place on earth due to its exuberant biodiversity.
• Our volunteers enjoy a lot our traditional gastronomy.
• As a volunteer, you will be working with the local families. You will experience sustainable
practices promoted by the prevailing prevail as part of this product.
• Improve your Spanish and teach others your language.
Where are you going to live and work?
The program takes place throughout the Drake Bay area, comprised of small towns like Los
Angeles, Caletas, Los Planes, El Progreso, and Agujitas. Our operations center is in the community of El Progreso. Accommodation is at the Corcovado Foundation Biohostel. There you will be able to share experiences and get to know better the community and the culture of Drake and the people of the community, as well as the volunteers of different nationalities that we have at that time. You will stay in a mixed dorm with single beds and a shared bathroom. Note that the accommodation is standard. You will have a semi-private room, hot water, a shared bathroom, and a kitchen. You will receive three delicious daily meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can bring your own snacks if you require more meals a day.
What we need your help with
Ecosystem Restoration (The Bonn Challenge)
Our Ecosystem Restoration Team changes landscapes to change the future. As a team volunteer, you’ll learn about ecosystem restoration and help:
• Plant plants that attract pollinators
• Plant trees and help with the tree nurseries
• Collect seeds and plant seedlings
• Make perches for birds to help them disperse seeds
• Place and monitor camera traps to monitor wildlife activity
Organic Regenerative Agriculture
Our Organic Agriculture Team transforms lives and land every day. Regenerative agriculture helps local families achieve more sustainable use of their land. As a team volunteer, you will learn about regenerative agriculture and help:
• Make compost and prepare organic fertilizers
• Help build and prepare planting beds
• Prepare and spread rainforest microorganisms
• Plant medicinal and aromatic plants
Community Support
Drake Bay is a very isolated district with many social and educational needs. Therefore, our program seeks to support community organizations promoting educational, sports, and cultural activities for children, youth, and adults. You will be supporting different types of activities that the community needs, according to your skills or experience:
- Support classes for boys and girls
- Art workshops
- Sports workshops
- Craft workshops
- Environmental education with children
- Support in the beautification of the community
Requirements
Minimum Age: 18 years
Language Skills: You need to speak Spanish (basic level) or English (intermediate level)
Passport photo, medical travel insurance policy, and fill out the volunteer registration form
Good physical condition
Respectful with communities and staff
Volunteers must be friendly and communicative
Be empathic and able to work in a team
What costs are involved?
$280 per week: for a stay of 2 weeks to 1 month
$224 per week: for a stay of 1 month or longer
This includes accommodation, food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), training, and materials
Free time activities
As a volunteer, you will enjoy two free days each week, during which you may choose to take advantage of the facilities at the Center, our non-profit hostel. In addition, you will find available – for a reasonable price- local tours, such as dart frogs, waterfalls, and night bug tours. The tours’ income helps local farmers maintain their forest’s standing. There are also free local activities, such as beach walks and bike rides, and the chance to make long hikes to socialize with other volunteers and travelers.
How to apply
Please complete the Volunteer Registration Form and send it via email to us at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival. You will receive a confirmation email and a comprehensive Volunteer Orientation Manual with detailed information about transportation, what to bring, and what to expect.
