Located in Kosgoda, 15 miles south of Galle , the turtle conservation project is a wonderful project for volunteers interested in nature and conservation. The project suffered infrastructural damage due the tsunami disaster of Dec, 2004, where most of their equipment was lost. Moreover, turtle populations have been diminishing due to the destruction of coral reefs and marine pollution. This Project runs different programs – mostly monitoring and conserving the turtles in the Kosgoda area.

Volunteers roles

Volunteers' help is urgently needed for various types of conservation work, including monitoring turtle activity, creating informational resources and rebuilding damaged facilities. As a volunteer, you will feed and clean the turtles and their environment; monitor and release baby turtles from the hatchery; monitor turtle egg-laying and moving the eggs to a safe nesting area. You will also assist in creating and maintaining a database of turtle statistics. Volunteers are also expect to reconstruct the damage caused by the Tsunami which includes: rebuilding turtle tanks and repairing the visitors' houses; developing informational resources and tourist souvenirs; conducting tours around the project.

Skills/Qualifications Requirements

Volunteers do not require any specific qualifications to volunteer in the turtle conservation project. But volunteers should have a deep love for nature and conservation.

Room/Food/Supervision

Global Crossroad manages room/food for volunteers. Volunteers live with the host family/hostel where we manage a separate room as well as local meals three (3) times a day.

Volunteers will also have 24/7 access to our office in Sri Lanka and the mobile numbers of our coordinators. Our staff also visits each volunteer in 1-2 week intervals as a part of the program.

Location Descriptions

The Turtle conservation project is located nearly 15 miles south of Galle , one of the most popular tourist areas of Sri lanka . Galle enjoys a nice coast line and a wide variety of scenery, from beaches to marsh lands to dry planes to hills. There are many prominent landmarks in Galle , which stands as one of the best examples of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia – a fusion of European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and still r em ains the largest fortress in Asia built by European invaders.

During their free time, volunteers can explore the many beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka or visit various Buddhist and Hindu t em ples, as well as mosques, churches, parks, zoos, national parks, museums and art galleries. There are many beautiful villages on the north side of Galle where volunteers can explore. Volunteers will also have access to internet cafés in Galle . Many restaurants in Galle areas also serve western food.