Watamu Sea Turtle Volunteer Project, Kenya

As a sea turtle conservation volunteer, you will be involved in researching and keeping an eye out for nesting turtles, while performing educational outreaches into the local community. You will also work with turtle rehabilitation in Watamu, Kenya and experience an amazing new culture.

You will be a sea turtle volunteer in Kenya while assisting researching in a wide range of conservation related programs.

Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Responsibilities:

- Patrolling the beach
- Excavating nests
- Helping to release sea turtles caught in nets and conducting research
- Rehabilitating sea turtles
- Surveying poaching activities
- Plant and manage mangrove seedlings
- Map using GPS
- Monitor beaches
- Clean up beaches
- Track turtle movement pattern in Mida Creek
- Survey Mida Creek conditions
- Catch crabs

Education Initiatives:

- Creating signs
- Help to develop and run the local Ocean Marine Centre
- Be artistic, engaging, and innovative in helping up come up with new exciting displays in our marine centre
- Launch Awareness Days
- Develop and implement interesting and enlightening LOT field education initiatives in local schools and around fish landing sites

Community Engagement

- Develop and encourage additional methods for generating income
- Further techniques for the fishing community to earn other incomes rather than unsustainable marine exploitation
- Work with the community for development and creating crafts
- Raise awareness and actual practice of recycling and composting

Our Watamu Sea Turtle Watch Programme is available all-year for volunteers since the By-Catch Release Programme releases around 10 to 90 turtles a week from fishing nets. Our Rehabilitation Centre is open throughout the year with peak times of August and November/December. While we have turtles nesting during all periods, the high nesting season is May to August.

This is a diverse opportunity for volunteers to work with marine conservation and turtle life. You will be able to participate in education initiatives, developing the local community, and engaging in field world. This is a great choice for people interested in marine biology.

English