KREA Kekoldi Research and Education Alliance · Nationwide / location varies · posted today
The Kekoldi Research and Education Alliance is a nonprofit NGO that runs a long-term biodiversity monitoring program in the Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve. From a remote field station in the middle of the rainforest, staff and participants conduct wildlife surveys in Costa Rica's most biodiverse Caribbean lowland rainforests. Research methods include transects, point counts, audio recordings, camera traps and citizen-science apps. Data collected includes species identification, distribution, ecology, and habitat use. The work is carried out in close partnership with the Bribrí Indigenous community whose land it is based on. KREA's objectives are to increase knowledge of the Kéköldi forest, provide data to conservation partners, build local capacity for long-term conservation and sustainable development, minimise its own environmental impact, and raise public awareness of Costa Rica's forest environments. In addition, KREA seeks to educate and prepare the next generation of natural scientists and conservationists. The Programs: KREA offers both Internships and Volunteer Programs, depending on experience, career path, and length of stay. What's Included: --Participation in wildlife surveys --Training in species identification, research skills, and related topics --food and housing while on base. --Transportation to/from San Jose every 2 weeks. Interns work alongside KREA staff to collect environmental data, and are assigned a formal curriculum to prepare for a career in conservation. They participate in all base activities, and are assigned extra duties including data entry, species identification, and independent project. To achieve this, they receive access to our Data drive, weekly meetings with an intern coordinator, and mentorship from KREA staff. Inters are also trained to lead their own surveys under the guidance of staff. They are taught species identification and research techniques to prepare them for a career in a related field. Different daily rates are offered for different trip lengths (listed cost is for shorter stay). Total costs are as follows: Internship Rates: 28 days: $1680 84 days: $4620 168 days: $8400 Volunteers join biodiversity surveys and attend training workshops. They live on base and join in daily biodiversity surveys, point counts, and camera trap checks. They are trained by KREA staff on species ID, and may attend workshops on related topics. Different daily rates are offered for different trip lengths (listed cost is for shorter stay). Total costs are as follows: Volunteering Rates: 14 days: $700 28 days: $1260 84 days: $3528 Programs are offered throughout the year, with new arrivals/departures every two weeks. Availability can vary. Requirements: --Valid passport or visa as required --Valid Travel Insurance for the duration of their stay --Good physical condition --Submit voluntary health disclosure form --ability to live and work in shared, primitive conditions in a remote location. For everyone, a high level of fitness is required, as you will walk long distances and hike uneven, waterlogged terrain in heat and humidity. Fluency in English is required, and some basic Spanish is helpful. All participants must hold compulsory travel insurance covering medical and evacuation costs, including helicopter evacuation. Participants must be over 18 and able to legally travel in Costa Rica. Participants must pay a program fee prior to arrival. For interns, no academic or professional background is required, but it is suggested that they are pursuing a degree or career in science, conservation, or a related field. Please note, Kekoldi is not for everyone! Life here can be difficult, especially for people not accustomed to the climate. The walk to get to Base is challenging, even in the best conditions. You must be able to cope with sharing living space with spiders, geckos, and other insects. Expect to be sweaty and itchy most of the time. You must be in good physical condition, and able to carry all your bags on your own. Kekoldi is not recommended for anyone with breathing problems, severe allergies, or joint/back injuries. Please enquire for more details. The Location: Kéköldi (pronounced KEH-kool-dee) is a Bribrí Indigenous territory in the Limón province of Costa Rica, near the town of Hone Creek on the Caribbean Coast. The reserve encompasses over 8,500 acres (roughly 3,500 hectares) of Caribbean lowland rainforest, home to species including many of Costa Rica's flagship animals, and is recognized as one of the top three sites in the world for monitoring migratory birds of prey. The territory sits within the traditional lands of the Bribrí and Cabecar, two of Costa Rica's Indigenous groups, who maintain their own languages alongside Spanish. The main economic activities include farming, with ecotourism a growing source of income. Surrounded by industrial agriculture and a rapidly growing tourism industry, Kéköldi has largely avoided this kind of development because it is an Indigenous territory with semi-autonomous governance, and long-term biodiversity data helps make the case for its continued protection. Other Facts: • Kéköldi is one of the top three sites in the world for monitoring migratory birds and hosts the third-largest raptor migration on the planet. • The reserve covers over 8,500 acres (~3,500 ha) of Caribbean lowland rainforest, home to thousands of species. • Four wild cat species live in the reserve: puma, ocelot, jaguarundi and margay • Over one hundred species of amphibians and reptiles inhabit the reserve, including the eyelash palm pitviper, fer-de-lance, red-eye treefrog, and the rare Bushmaster. • Monitored endangered species include the great green macaw, striped pygmy snake and Central American spider monkey. • Former participants created a purpose-built 'Kéköldi Surveys' mobile app for field data collection and produced a documentary about the reserve, 'Sibo's Gift'. To Apply: Submit a CV to the email below along with a brief email summarizing interest and intended travel dates. It is useful to mention prior experience in research, fieldwork, or international travel. For interns, please include your current or foreseen degree. Please note that programs begin on every other Saturday starting January 2nd, and last for increments of 2 weeks. Upon review, applicants will be invited to join a virtual training session for more information.
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