Mexico Projects

The co-operative project in Oaxaca State was set up to stop the killing and selling of turtles and their eggs and has grown into a sustainable development project which generates alternative sources of income for the local people. It is located in a small beach village in a large mangrove zone. Twenty five families living in the village are actively involved in the co-operative which has among its goals to rescue the natural habitat of hundreds of species of birds and reptiles and the promotion of eco-tourism. The co-operative started operating tours along the mangrove swamp and offering horseback riding tours to generate an extra income. They have also established a tree nursery housing 70,000 plants of mangle and other local varieties, a crocodile farm and nurseries for turtles and iguanas. Volunteer activities might include the cleaning and preparation of the eco-friendly tourist cabins; to assist in the community owned restaurant, helping in the rehabilitation of confiscated animals and the release of newly-hatched turtles into the ocean. Volunteers can take part in night patrol canoe trips to find turtle nests, to collect and record eggs, and to bring them to the nursery. A strong interested in environmental work is essential for this project as volunteers will be engaged in a lot of manual work. A good level of Spanish is also recommended as English is not spoken by the locals.