On the Reforestation project you’ll help build a Biological corridor, the “Reserva Forestal Gulfo Dulce”. The Reserva connects Corcovado National Park and Piedras Blancas National Park – both two major National Parks in Costa Rica with pristine jungle, jaguars, and lots of Biodiversity.

The Arboretum (the reforestation project’s name) was dedicated to the Costa Rican Botanist Luis Jorge Poveda Alvarez, and is a collaborative effort between AFE officials , residents of the community of Bahia Chal and some other organizations. The Arboretum is meant to provide a public point of interest to neighboring communities, tourists, students and researchers, and provides a source of rare and endangered endemic tree species of the Osa Peninsula.

The Arboretum is still under construction and development, and now they need a lot of volunteers urgently so they can finish the initial planting of the corridor.

Besides being a place for conservation of forest biodiversity, the Arboretum aims to become a meeting place for naturalists from neighboring communities and even a recreational spot for visitors. They organize educational and family events – each last Sunday of each month there is “family day” where you’ll be able to plan activities for kids, and help make the event a success.

Volunteer’s responsibilities include: 

• Plants trees
• Maintain trees
• Collect seeds
• Water plants
• Plan fun activities for family day
• Plan environmental education activities
• Help with any daily maintenance or activity

An ideal volunteer on this project has a passion for environmental protection and the outdoors. You do not need a degree for this project. You should be 18 years of age or older.

The reforestation project is located at the outskirts of a very small community (only around 100 people) called Bahia Chal, on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. The town borders the Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce, which is where the reforestation lead by MINAET is happening.

The Forest Reserve is in development since the MINAET (ministry of environment) wants to connect the two main National parks around the Gulf – The Corcovado National Park and the Piedras Blancas National Park.

Bahia Chal is around 30 minutes drive to Jimenez, and there are buses that go there too. If you need to go to Puerto Jimenez you can visit on your days off easily by bus.

The costs for this project are:

• First week’s fee: $ 449
• Every Additional Week: $ 149 (It does not matter many weeks you choose, this fee stays the same)

FEES EXPLAINED: Our organizational fee of around $ 249 is included in the first week’s fee and covers the “behind the scenes costs”, such as staff salaries, office space rental, transaction and bank fees, and more. Our weekly fee for additional weeks covers the costs of your host family or project accommodation and food, the local staff on your project, and a donation to help with the daily running costs of the program you will help on.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE: First and last night in San Jose in a hostel, travel to and from the international airport (airport shuttles are around 30$ each way to San Jose – We can set this up for you, just ask us during sign-up), travel to the project site (usually by public buses, which are from around 10-16$ one way), national/ International flights, travel insurance, visa costs, any additional food or snacks besides the host family meals, extra-curricular activities.

This is the GLV Handbook for the Reforestation Project. This will give you DETAILED info on everything you would need and want to know regarding the project. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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