Iguana Conservation

Honduras - Central America

Here is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a beautiful Caribbean island in Honduras and to contribute to the preservation of the important mangrove habitat. Help to conserve and research the endangered Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana.

Tags: Volunteer for Wildlife

Duration:

Departing:

$ 500

Reserve your place for a $300 deposit

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Fast Facts

Project length:	Min 4 weeks
Project costs:	US$500 for 4 weeks
Location of project:	Island of Utila on the North Caribbean coast of Honduras
Arrival airport:	Utila (UII)
Volunteer work:	feeding and monitoring the iguanas, station maintenance, field work.
Number of participants:	10 international volunteers
Age limit:	18 - 70

What's Included

Accommodation:	shared rooms in research station
Airport pickup:	Included on arrival
Orientation kit:	full project details will be sent following registration
Training:	Pre-departure preparation and training in Katmandu

What's Not Included

Flights, Insurance, Personal expenses, Food during (around €60 a week) and Visa (if required).

About the project

Volunteers are needed to assist with the conservation and research of the endangered lizard - Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana on the beautiful island of Utila. The Utila-iguana is a big, tree living black iguana. This rare endemic reptile lives in the mangroves and nests on the beaches of Utila, an island in front of the Caribbean north coast of Honduras. The Utila Iguana has become the symbolic species for the conservation of the important mangrove habitat. The ecological significance and endangered status of mangroves are often underestimated compared to rainforest and coral reefs. In addition to the preservation of the Utila Iguana and its critical mangrove habitat, other core goals of this project include sustainable development of the island of Utila (a popular destination for divers); as well as the creation of environmental awareness among the local inhabitants by providing information and environmental education. As a volunteer on this project, you will assist with the practical conservation of an endemic species and learn scientific or ecological working methods under professional guidance. You will also live and work with people from around the world in a unique natural environment.

Volunteer work and contribution

As a volunteer in this project, you will participate in daily activities, such as:

collecting food for the iguana at the station (flowers, crabs)
feeding the iguanas and watching over there general welfare
station maintenance and gardening
field work field for scientific programs
giving guided tours around our visitor center and mangroves

People from other professions are needed. These include for example: carpenters for the renovation of the research station, cages, etc.; mechanics for maintaining generators, installing 220V outlets, etc.; media specialists for producing flyers, promotional material, and tourist information brochures, teachers for environmental education in the local schools.

Accommodation & Facilities

The volunteers stay at the research station. The station has 10 beds in 4 shared rooms, kitchen, two bath rooms, shower, gas, electricity, drinking water and bikes.

Not just work...

Utila is a laid back, beautiful island situated in the Caribbean Sea and has near legendary status among back packers in Central America. During your stay, you can accompany tours conducted by the research station to other parts of the Island. A walk to Island's beautiful beaches for swimming and snorkeling is particularly inviting. After work, you can enjoy the local bars and restaurants on the Island or just chill out at the research station with the other volunteers and staff.