I've raised £1485 to travel, accomodate, insure me as I help Biosphere I; conservation and monitoring of sea turtles on the island of Santa Luzia, Cabo Verde.
Organised by Jonathan O'Farrell
Story
Biosphere 1 is looking for volunteers to work on the project of conservation and monitoring of sea turtles on the island of Santa Luzia.
Vision and Mission Statement:
A prayer for the oceans and all life within ( Soundcloud )
I have ' adopted ' and indeed, been adopted by the turtle as a very special creature. Having grown up in Ireland I have always had a big affinity with the sea, but yet never done much volunteering in a marine environment (much have my efforts, for decades, have been around re-afforestation and inland habitats). So I am delighted to say Biosfera 1 have put their faith in me to help out on Santa Luzia, from the 1st of October.
The island of St. Luzia is part of the Marine Reserve of Santa Luzia and islets Branco and Raso. It is the only desert island and the smallest of the country with few freshwater points.
During the months of June to October it receives about 500 breeding females of the species Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle, common, or red). This specie can nest more than once at the same time, but only one to two per thousand babies in nature reach adulthood, about 30 years later.
The monitoring work in the deserted island has happened since 2011 with the support of several national and international partners: National Direction for Environment, Rufford Foundation, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
In addition to my support to the biologists, I will be recording my experience as a writer and photographer, to further provide resources to Biosfera 1 outreach and campaigning efforts: https://misterkaki.blog
Accomodation either side of my actual Santa Luzia assignment (communal tent) will mostly be with Si Ma Bo, a dog and cat rescue organisation on the island of Sao Vincente.
Our work with animals - including running a shelter with 110 dogs, a cattery with 18 cats, a 7/12 clinic, and ambulant castration campaigns - is partially financed by the Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel, a hostel for responsible tourists.
We have spayed/neutered almost 11,000 animals so far and we are planning to expand the spaying/neutering campaigns to neighboring islands as well.
Costs of this accomodation are from 100 Euros per week: http://www.simabo.org/aiutaci/volontariato/
Note: I intend that my travel related emissions will be offset by tree planting in 2018 / 2019 in Cabo Verde and / or The National Forest in England / Ireland.
Summary of Costs:
My anticipated costs, to support this volunteering package arise from:
* Flights £500
* A series a rabies vacination prior to departure (£180)
* Enhanced travel insurance, to cover potentially higher risk activity (£105)
* Overland travel costs (car sharing) to Amsterdam, Netherlands (point of departure £90)
* Overnight stay near Lisboa airport (interim stop on air journey £35)
* Visa for entry into Cabo Verde (£24)
*several days Sao Vincente accomodation prior to embarking to Santa Luzia to properly aclimatise (£90)
* £240 advance bond to secure emergency / unscheduled evacuation from Santa Luzia, in the event of it being required.
* Accomodation costs for at least 2 weeks volunteering at Si Ma Bo animal rescue (£220)
Updates:
My blog page about the turtles, sea birds and volunteers!
I will update this page with furher and specific details of my ongoing costs, as they arise. Thank you for your consideration to support these activities.
