For over twenty years, Las Casas de la Selva has hosted volunteers from all over the planet, either involved in the total operations & management of Las Casas, carrying out particular tasks detailed below, or assisting us with our research.
Tropic Ventures Sustainable Forestry Project relies on the work of dedicated volunteers. Most all accomplishments here are the result of the vision, and resourcefulness of volunteers and researchers.
If you are interested, and feel that you have relevant skills and proficiency, please contact us. Even if your talents and areas of interest are not specifically covered, we welcome you to participate in the project’s total system as a volunteer. Contact us, we are very open.
Please take the time to peruse the information of what to expect and what we expect from you.
Individuals interested to volunteer at Tropic Ventures Rainforest Project are invited to apply for one to three month stays. Longer-term stays which give the opportunity to take in the whole project and ecosystem are encouraged.
Groups
Please contact us for more information if you have a group that wishes to volunteer for 5-15 day intensive projects.
Travel arrangements, visas, health and travel insurance, etc., are the responsibility of the participant. Upon application you will be provided with full details. We have found it beneficial for volunteers to have some notion of the areas of work and opportunities at Las Casas, though this list is certainly not exhaustive!
Science
The research at Las Casas focuses on the ecological management of timber production in tropical and subtropical secondary rainforest areas makes a valuable contribution to the future preservation of rainforest land and rainforest species by developing a method of sustainable utilization of the land for profit without destruction of the local ecology. In the case of Puerto Rico, it will also make a considerable contribution to the island economy. All the research we do helps provide answers for the people of the local community and globally, about managing their forest. Scientific work is needed in all areas of sustainable forest management, tropical botany, fauna, soil & water, non-traditional forest products, agro-ecology, environmental education. Two of our scientific papers are currently in review and submission process and more details are available upon request.
We are currently inviting applications from individuals with science backgrounds who would like to take on roles as field assistants on our Earthwatch Expeditions four times a year. Contact us for details.
Sustainable Hands-on Forestry
For foresters, students of forestry, arborists or any individual, Las Casas de la Selva is the perfect place to learn more about silviculture, to get involved in hands-on training in areas including tree selection and thinning procedures, felling trees, sawing and drying of wood. Implementation of real time practice in all areas, including road-building, drainage & erosion control, tree-planting and plantation management, forecasting and logistical planning of harvests and tree-planting programs. Individuals must be physically fit, and a scientific-technical background would be an advantage for some of the projects where research & mapping is required. Knowledge of wood markets and marketing the processed lumber and value-added products, or an interest in product design is also useful, but good health, an adventurous spirit, and love of forests is all that’s necessary.
Educational Outreach
Tropic Ventures Education & Research Foundation seeks to establish regular visitations and collaborations with schools, colleges and institutions, from Puerto Rico and world-wide. This involves facilitating connections, meeting with students, school teachers and education authorities, organizing trips, co-ordinating activities at the project, and creating contacts that will benefit potentials and possibilities at the project. Participation is possible in preparation and creation of brochures and publicity materials, as well as investigating existing Puerto Rican environmental programs and school projects, and how Las Casas can support them.
Ethnobotanical Trail
In an effort to learn more about medicinal plants and plants with other economic uses, a trail and several small bridges have been established with the help of youth volunteers over 2006 at the project. The vision is to create an interpretive ethnobotanical trail, that is a relatively easy half an hour walk through the rainforest. This involves areas of botany for plant ID, creation and installation of small gardens, signs, maps, trailwork and maintenance. Work includes: Collecting cuttings and seeds; monitoring of cutting/seedlings in nursery; monitoring of seeds that have been planted out; identification of more sites for planting out. Future work includes: planning sustainable harvesting of our plantings, treatment of harvested plants; seeking other species for planting; marketing, and outreach to local and the global community.
Alternative Energy
We endeavor to be off the grid as much as possible, and are looking into other possibilities.
Building projects and structural maintenance.
The project suffered hits of two major hurricanes over its twenty-five year life, and upgrading facilities and building new accommodations and structures is a major role. Las Casas has special electrical, plumbing and carpentry areas.
Woodwork
Someone with woodworking skills can get involved in with workshop management and maintenance as well as producing quality products from sustainably grown and harvested hardwoods.
Trail blazing & signage
Tasks include: Keeping trails clear and safe; clearing new trails; addressing drainage issues; mapping trails by GPS; making direction signs for various trails and the ethnobotanical trail.
Information Technology
Access to the outside world is vital to our operations. From e-mailing potential volunteers and researchers, carrying out research, publicizing the project, or data entry and writing up our research, computers are vital.
Creative geeks can help maintain the Broadband Satellite system, upgrade systems and programs as necessary and assist volunteers with webinars and teleconferencing.
Life at Las Casas de la Selva
Participating at Las Casas as an all-round volunteer, encourages individuals to assess themselves in the light of their experience and generates self-suffiency. Volunteer and research work present an extraordinary opening to a different way of life, as well as working and sharing skills and interests with others of various nationalities, ages, and walks of life.
Average Daily Schedule
An 8.30am breakfast meeting starts the day, where everybody can let the group know what they are working on, request help or larger crews as necessary, and pass on news of interest. The projects inprogress determine your location, in the forest or around the homestead. Volunteers are expected to put in 4-5 hours a day on whatever project they are involved with, the rest of the day on personal enterprise or recreation. There is a project car & volunteers contribute gas expenses according to their use.
Due to the fact that at present there is only one kitchen and dining area, during the busy youth groups summer season, a chef will take care of kitchen, all food buying and cuisine. In quieter seasons, there are three formal staff dinners a week. Dinners are usually cooked by one person and the ambience is created by another, the “envirator”. Tuesday evenings are conversational evenings dedicated to documentary viewing, travelers reports, and relevant image presentations.
Thursday dinners are of a philosophic bent and a reading and discussion follow after dinner.
Sunday dinners incorporate toasts over the meal and short speeches by each individual, after the meal. Over the years this has been proved to be an excellent way to define where you are personally at, to learn how to formulate a speech, not to mention the essential confidence that grows with articulating in front of a group.
At all dinners, before serving dessert, the chef and envirator perform a short skit and on Sunday afternoon a theater class brings everyone together to participate in advanced theater exercises and facilitate theatrical expressions into shows for the benefit of friends and guests. There is a 45 min sitting (meditation) on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Accommodation
At present, accommodations are in tents under roof cover. The facilities are rustic, but comfortable. There is a shared shower room with four showers and two toilets.
Other Facilities
There is a research library, and a public computer.
Communication
We encourage volunteers to bring their own laptops as we are on a broadband satellite connection. We have one telephone line and a telephone card is necessary for all calls. Cell phones work here. Electricity is 110 volts.
Weather
The forest's elevation of 600 meters (1800 feet) provides year round temperatures averaging 71.7 F (22 C). With the prevailing Easterly trade winds delivering an average annual rainfall of 120 inches (3 m), the year-round humidity is high. There are seasons where it can rain for several days continuously, others that can be dry for more than several days or weeks. Volunteers can expect their schedules to change depending on the weather, when some tasks become impossible to fulfill.
Health & Safety
Puerto Rico requires no vaccinations upon entry.
Medical attention is accessible 45 mins away in the town of Patillas, and hospital one hour away. Please bring adequate supplies of medications that you might need. There are no dangerous animals in Puerto Rico and insects are the most common nuisance. Luckily, at our elevation, Las Casas does not have a significant problem with mosquitoes.
Insurance
Please have medical and travel insurance taken care of and all visitors are required to sign a waiver, with the understanding that this is a forestry project and not a holiday resort. The rainforest can be a dangerous environment with steep slopes, slippery clays, and difficult work at times.
Languages
In certain project roles, like local educational outreach for example, Spanish is a necessity. However many Puerto Ricans speak English, and learning Spanish is a bonus of being here.
Costs
If you would like to come as a volunteer, our charges are: $450.00 per month, which covers food, accommodation and utilities. Payment is on arrival in US$ cash or check.
How to apply
Firstly, contact us by email with a brief, but thorough statement about yourself and how you feel that you can contribute to this project, as well as how you expect to benefit from it. Let us know your skills, talents, interests, websites, etc.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to Las Casas de la Selva. |
