Environmental Conservation Puerto Rico
Being an island paradise isn't always easy and Puerto Rico is no stranger to the negative impacts of development and the terrifying effect of extreme weather events. This program works to recognise and respond to the damage caused by past practices and the impacts of climate change.
Volunteers provide a much needed labour force on projects aimed at tackling the existing issues and putting in place sustainable practices. Volunteers in Puerto Rico will work where the need is greatest and according to their skills and interests, alongside like-minded individuals with a passion for maintaining the natural beauty and diversity of this incredible location.
This program is perfect for hard-working volunteers dedicated to supporting our environment, while gaining knowledge and skills of how to continue this sustainability into day to day life.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide support to established sustainability projects
- Encourage green spaces and growth in urban areas
- Promote greater awareness of environmental needs throughout our cities
- Enable positive exchange between volunteers and communities that cross cultural, religious and socio-economic barriers
How You Can Help
Environmental sustainability projects not only have an immense impact on the community, but also provide great educational and learning opportunities for the volunteers themselves. Providing a much-needed labor force, volunteers will work directly on both established environmental and sustainability projects and in developing new initiatives. We need volunteers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty!
This program partners with various environmental organizations and volunteers will be paired with projects that demonstrate the most need and best suit their skill-set and preference. This ensures that the work undertaken is meaningful and beneficial to both our volunteers and the local communities served.
Volunteer work varies depending on the projects being undertaken at the time of placement and may include:
- Maintaining urban gardens and farms
- Conservation and disaster prevention projects
- Replanting initiatives
- Assisting to beautify and maintain parks and walking trails
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to give their time and energy to assist with environmental sustainability. This hands-on project is best suited to those who are either pursuing a career in conservation or environmental studies or who simply wish to explore an interest in this field. However, the project is open to all and does not require participants to have specific education, qualifications or experience, as you will be shown everything you need to know by your local project leader. Importantly though, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Resume
- Vaccination Certificate
Project Location
Puerto Rico is indomitable beauty and intrigue!
Situated in the Caribbean archipelago, the island of Puerto Rico offers much to entice and entertain visitors: from sun-drenched coastline and sparkling beaches to the forested inland mountains and colourful streets of Old San Juan. Puerto Rico has persevered in the face of both natural disasters and a tumultuous history and emerges today as an intriguing product of its Spanish colonial history, Caribbean location and status as a US territory since 1917.
Volunteers have the opportunity to unveil the hidden charm of this island, to see beyond the high rise condos and often crowded roads, streets and beaches. To volunteer in Puerto Rico is to experience its rich culture in full colour.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 4 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers are met on arrival into Puerto Rico by our local representative and taken to the hostel to settle in. A welcome dinner for new and current volunteers is a great opportunity to get to know each other!
Monday is Orientation Day, designed to help volunteers feel supported and comfortable in their new environment. The orientation will cover negotiating the public transport system and will include a visit to the project site and brief introduction by the community partner.
- Arrival Day: SUNDAY 8AM - 8PM
- Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival Airport: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (code SJU)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers in Puerto Rico are housed in an excellent hostel in the well-known location of Calle Loíza and within easy walking distance of Ocean Park Beach and Old San Juan. With an ocean view from the rooftop terrace this offers a fabulous base from which to enjoy the island.
Rooms are dormitory style, sleeping up to 4 guests, and split by gender. Each bed has a USB charging outlet, power outlet, bag hook, reading light, shelf and privacy curtain. Bathrooms are shared and body wash and shampoo provided. Towels and linen are also provided.
The hostel is equipped with all the amenities required for an enjoyable stay, including air-con, lockers, free WiFi, computer stations, work desks and a fully equipped kitchen. Communal areas, including the fabulous rooftop terrace, provide a great place to meet fellow guests and unwind after a busy day.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be prepared in the communal kitchen on-site - but we recommend experiencing the amazing culture and cuisine on offer in this unique location. Simply get a few of your fellow hostel mates together and head out to one of the many local restaurants, bars or cafes and enjoy all the local and international delicacies on offer. Bliss!
Prefer to arrange your own accommodation in San Juan? No problem. The program fee is adjusted accordingly to $588 for 1 week, $775 for 2 weeks and $187 for each subsequent week.
Fees
That’s just USD 107 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 Safety Measures in the USA:
We will be engaging in the following steps to ensure both volunteer and partner safety.
- Ensure soap and hand gel are available at all placements (get to partners, housing, maybe supply)
- If necessary, provide additional masks and gloves at the placements if a volunteer is unable to bring their own
- Ensure partners are taking the necessary steps as listed below to ensure partner and volunteer safety
- Ensure the coordinator will wear a mask and engage in other preventative measures such as social distancing when interacting with the volunteers
- Provide up-to-date and accurate information to our volunteers regarding safe volunteering practices
Housing Partners Will:
- Post informational signage throughout the property informing guests of best practices and how to reduce the spread of the virus
- Develop intensified cleaning practices for all areas of the accommodation
- Including but not limited to: regularly wiping down all commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, faucet handles and shower handles, increased bathroom sanitization
- Implement social distancing practices
- Such as but not limited to reducing the number of guests assigned to each dorm style/shared room.
- Require staff and guests to wear protective gear in common areas
- Follow CDC recommendations if clients or staff show COVID-19 symptoms
Community Partners Will:
- Provide any cleaning supplies/protective gear necessary to complete tasks assigned to the volunteers
- Depending upon their project site will engage in whatever routine sanitation practices are applicable
- Require all coordinators/employees to engage in social distancing practices, wear masks, and routinely wash hands
Orientation Activity Partners Will:
- Encourage and enforce social distancing
- Limit their capacity especially if the activity is located within a building
- Ensure their staff wears protective gear
Volunteers Will Be Asked To:
- Obtain a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival and present proof of testing before/upon arrival.
- Bring their own masks and wear them consistently when interacting with others
- Consistently wash their hands or use hand sanitizer
- Notify us if they display any of the symptoms of COVID-19
- Not share items with other volunteers unless properly sanitized
- Follow all safe and outlined volunteer practices
- Follow necessary public transportation safety practices as outlined by the city’s transit authority