Exciting Volunteer Opportunities at the Sustainability Demonstration Center!

Volunteer at the non-profit 

Sustainability Demonstration Center

near Monteverde, Costa Rica

…in a beautiful, natural setting surrounded by tropical vegetation and next to a river!

At the Sustainability Demonstration Center, we aim to demonstrate different environmentally-friendly ways of reducing the footprints we leave behind each day by leading Environmental Protection, Social and Economic Justice, and Animal Welfare programs.

The Center is a great place for volunteers to get hands-on experience in sustainability projects and make a difference in a rural Costa Rican community.

Available Positions:

1)    Sustainability Demonstration Center Administrator - You will be trained on-site to help with community events, classes, and programs, as well as administrative tasks that are essential to the day-to-day running of the Center. You will also be trained to help deliver tours through the historic building that houses the Center and the animal rehabilitation and environmental protection projects.

2)    Gardening and Animal Rehabilitation Coordinator - You will be trained on-site to be in charge of taking care of the native tree nursery, the organic vegetable garden, and the medicinal plant garden. If you also love animals, you can help with caring for the farm animals, as well as any animals that come into the wildlife rehabilitation unit. This hands-on coordinator position is key to these projects!

3)    Sustainable Community Development Program Officer – You will be trained on-site to fulfill the vision and mission of the Center by developing sustainable community development programs and seeking grant funds that will support these initiatives. You will play a key role in the collaborative planning of ongoing and future projects at the Center and in the local community.

For all volunteer positions, we welcome you to get involved in any or all projects that are going on at the Center, whether with animal welfare, social and economic justice, or environmental protection – delve into your interests and passions! We can also personalize your experience by combining elements of different positions to find the best fit for you.

We Are Looking For…

People who are passionate about sustainability, community-based projects, animal welfare and/or the environment! We want mature volunteers who are eager to make a difference and come with the intention to give of their skills and talents to make a better world. We need someone to really get involved and become part of the community.

This is the perfect opportunity for either individuals, couples, or a family unit (including furry four-legged members), as we welcome diverse sets of talents and we are looking to fully integrate them into all aspects of daily living.

1)     For the Sustainability Demonstration Center Administrator position, we are looking for people who are interested in interacting with different people, from local Costa Ricans to international visitors. English is a must and a basic level of fluency in Spanish is necessary – we can facilitate training to help you work on your Spanish during your time here! Administrative experience and familiarity with computers is preferred.

2)       For the Gardening and Animal Rehabilitation Coordinator position, we are looking for people who are passionate about being outdoors with your fingers in the dirt is your passion. You would be in charge of the tree nursery as well as the organic vegetable garden and our medicinal plants. If you also love animals, you could give us a hand in caring for the farm animals, as well as any animals that come into the wildlife rehab unit. We give preference to people who have experience in this field.

3)       For the Sustainable Community Development Program Officer position, we are looking for people who have experience with grant writing and project development. You must be organized and have clear communication skills for coordinating project development in the community and seeking sustainable ways to promote and run these projects.

What You Get:

You will receive free lodging at the Sustainability Demonstration Center for the duration of your stay. You could have a single or shared room and all bathrooms and showers are shared. There are different options for food - the volunteer can choose to pay for affordable meals to be prepared for you, use the common kitchen facilities to cook her or his own meals, or a combination.

You will also get hands-on training and experience with community-based sustainability programs, a chance to learn Spanish, live in a lush, tropical paradise right by a river, and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture! Time off would also be agreed upon prior to arrival. You can hike through the forest by the Center, swim in the river to relax and connect with the natural world, participate in cultural activities and make new friends, and visit the cloud forests of Monteverde and other nearby attractions.

We will accept volunteers for a minimum of 6 months, but our preference is a one-year commitment.

To Apply:

We have openings all year round so please let us know when you are hoping to join us! Happy to answer any questions – email us at monteverdecc@gmail.com!  

Please send Veronica and Alex, the co-founders of the Sustainability Demonstration Center, an email to tell us about yourself, why you are interested in volunteering with us, and any experiences and/or interests that are relevant to the position.

More Information About Us:

Website: sustainablecostarica.org

Blog: sustainablecostarica.blogspot.com

Video about the Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN3SdOncMTU&feature=youtu.be

Look us up on Facebook as the Sustainability Demonstration Center!

Alexander and Veronica are dedicated to making the world a better place and expect those who come to embrace the same value of Service.  They run the Center using their own funds from cabin rental income. Volunteers are responsible for their financial needs other than their lodging, which will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to view this as an opportunity to give back to the world. 

Nature and Cultural Immersion Camp - JULY 2017!

Nature and Cultural Immersion Day Camp!

July 2017 

 

Sign up for 1 to 4 weeks of fun, nature exploration, and cultural and language immersion! 

SIGN UP NOW AS SPACE IS LIMITED!

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We are very excited about the many hands-on, fun activities the children will be participating in and the ultimate goal to have the kids learn, have fun, but also develop loving attitudes towards Mother Nature and one another. 

Some of the activities include horseback riding, visits to various small local enterprises such as bee keeping, cheese-making, art galleries, etc. The camp is bilingual and children will receive either Spanish or English classes (whichever is not their primary language). This is a great opportunity for local Costa Rican children and international children to interact and share a genuine cultural immersion experience.

Every Friday, we will camp overnight and have hot dogs and marshmallows over bon fires.  We will spend a lot of time swimming and playing in the river and looking for all sorts of life forms in the forests and the river ecosystem.

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The target age for children is 7 to 12, but exceptions can be made, depending on circumstance and level of maturity. The cost for each week of camp is $250 USD for children. It includes lunch and snacks and all the activities. 

Adults can choose to take various classes such as cooking, dance, language, medicinal plants, among others. They can also choose to do more adventure type activities such as horseback riding or self-care activities such as massages, pedicures, facials, etc.  There will be more serious bird-watching and hiking expeditions in this historic district for the adults.

People can carpool from Monteverde, but for those coming from afar, we have discounted housing options either at our rental houses or with a Homestay family. For those who are interested in signing up, RESERVE NOW, as space is limited!

We would love for you and your friends and family to join us!! Contact us if you have any questions.

Can't participate this summer but would like to help?! You can help by spreading the word with friends and family about our camp and also by donating scholarships to directly cover the costs of local children who may not have enough funds otherwise... anything helps! THANKS!

Educational and Economic Empowerment: Music, Markets, and More!

At the Sustainability Demonstration Center, we continue to promote learning in active, hands-on, and FUN ways! We are collaborating with the Kioscos Socioambientales group from the University of Costa Rica to host and provide workshops for children. 

Most recently, children have been creating musical instruments with upcycled materials, learning not only about how to diminish our footprints and the amount of trash we produce, but also about how to get CREATIVE and EXPRESS ourselves through art and music.

 There is also a theater workshop that is fun and enriching for the children, and will also bring together the whole community! 

Momentum and positive energy continues to grow and spread not only at the Sustainability Demonstration Center in Guacimal, but also with other communities in Costa Rica. We are getting ready to host a unique, 3-day experience for people from different communities in Costa Rica to come together to share and learn about health, culture, and intelligent economies. 

People will be bringing and sharing the different kinds of food they produce locally and exchange experiences and knowledge about how we can promote health and economic empowerment. In addition, participants will visit our integrated farm and enjoy the lush vegetation and refreshing pools in the river! We not only have an exciting list of talks lined up from experts, but also inspiring and fun karaoke and music to bring everyone together. 

If you are interested in participating in this "encuentro," please call us to sign up! 

From music to farmer's markets, from theater to educational exchanges, there are many exciting activities happening at the Sustainability Demonstration Center. We believe that educational and economic empowerment are key parts of sustainable communities... and we invite you all to join our efforts! 

Community Initiatives & Empowerment!

Why is the Sustainability Demonstration Center an important part of the local community? 

How are we facilitating and encouraging sustainable community development? 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & SOCIAL SERVICES: The Center itself is housed in a large historic building that was used as the equivalent of a modern mall, but it had been shut down for over 35 years before Veronica and Alex acquired it. Over these past few years, it has become much more than a place to have meetings, but it has become a hub for locals and visitors.

People come to the Center to receive classes, workshops, and interact together in healthy and fun ways. There was a visiting artist at the farmer's market this past weekend who demonstrated how he makes art out of bone!

Here is an example of a fun, healthy, CREATIVE MOVEMENT workshop from this past Saturday!

RIVER PROTECTION: Water is one of the most vital resources on this planet and for all living things. Here at the Center and in the local community, people have been actively protesting large corporations who are trying to take the water from the pristine Veracruz River. The Center has been very involved in supporting the locals in this endeavor by coordinating with national and international institutions, writing letters and emails, traveling, and more.

Just this past week, Veronica, Alex, and many community members from Guacimal took action by protesting on the streets of San Jose, advocating for the protection of the river.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES & ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: The Center also provides a free space for locals to hold a weekly farmer's market. The farmer's market takes place every Saturday from 12pm - 5pm and is available for anyone in the community who wishes to come and sell their products and food. In this way, we promote the sale of local products and entreprenuership. Come join us to enjoy some delicious veggies, eggs, tortillas, produce, and other traditional Costa Rican foods!

Part of sustainable community development is recognition of the resources that exist within the community and the empowerment and investment in people. We ALL have talents, ideas, and enthusiasm to share... please contact us at sdccostarica@gmail.com if you are interested in visiting the Sustainability Demonstration Center or have any ideas! We'd love to hear from YOU!

SDC Sustainability in a Nutshell

At the heart of sustainability is how we influence one another using thoughts, words and actions that match our vision, as the most powerful point of action is ourselves. 

We strive to focus on what we want to see flourish in our own lives and in the world and be that change we want to see happen, through our own learning and sharing with others.

At the Sustainability Demonstration Center, we aim to demonstrate different environmentally-friendly ways of reducing the footprints we leave behind each day. Learning about how to grow safe, delicious, and nutritious food brings together families and community members with an appreciation for the food we eat. By choosing to produce and eat organic food, we no longer eat food that is laden with chemicals that make us, our land, and our water unhealthy.

We have been actively supporting the community’s opposition to a plan to divert the water from the Veracruz River for a large-scale not sustainable and environmentally damaging agricultural project. With the help of university students and their professors, community members, and many others, we as a community prepared a legal appeal that made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Today, we continue to help organize to protect our river and to influence public policy.

Another way we promote sustainable relationships between people and the environment is through community-based rural tourism. We encourage tourists to engage with the places they visit in ways that are in harmony with the environment. Our guests have the opportunity to help feed chickens, pigs, and other farm animals, getting a hands-on perspective about why it is important to raise animals in a humane and healthy way. Hiking through the forest and swimming in the river help people to reconnect with the world they live in and reflect about how our day-to-day choices impact our planet.

Water & the Story behind the Sustainability Demonstration Center

Do you know why water has always been a key part of the story of the Sustainability Demonstration Center? 

It started in 2012, when Alexander and Veronica bought a farm in the quaint little town of Guacimal in the outskirts of the Monteverde mountains. They wanted to grow their own food and live amidst the beauty of nature by a river.

However, their quiet life did not last long.

Soon after they moved, the townspeople informed them about a large-scale irrigation project that threatened the Veracruz River, a pristine ecosystem, and asked for their help. They did not know it at the time, but their decision to become involved to save the river was actually the beginning of the creation of the Sustainability Demonstration Center.

To organize a resistance movement, the town needed a safe and suitable place to hold large meetings. The Casona, which means "big house," as it was called, had been empty for over three decades. Alex and Veronica took a leap of faith that finances would come in time and went ahead and signed to acquire the property. The Casona became the new meeting place for the community in 2014 as they worked together to protect the river and water resources.

If you stop by today, you will see that the Casona has become a hybrid between an educational and community center. It now brings together visitors from all over the world who come to help, learn, enjoy Costa Rican culture, and interact with locals, making the Center an interesting and exciting place to be! 

The community has been protesting large corporations trying to take the water from the pristine Veracruz River. The Center has been very involved in supporting the locals in this endeavor, which entails coordination with national and international institutions, writing letters and emails, traveling, protesting along with locals on the streets in Puntarenas and San Jose, advocating for those who have been affected legally, contacting the media and much more.

This video, “Puntarenas: comunidades organizadas por la defensa del agua / Puntarenas: organized communities in defense of water,” is a great way to learn more about what is happening in Guacimal as well as many places in Costa Rica and around the world. Check out the video by clicking here.



This video report includes cases of several communities, including Santa Rosa de Guacimal, Sardinal de Puntarenas, and the town of Guacimal, where the Sustainability Demonstration Center is located. Community members continue striving to protect the River Veracruz that runs through the town and provides the precious resource of water to its inhabitants and flora and fauna that thrive in this part of the watershed.

With the objective to find solutions to problems regarding water and watershed management, various communities of the Central Canton of Puntarenas organized themselves to strive for a just distribution for common well-being. In May of 2015, the Alliance for the Defense of Hydrologic Resources was formed to defend the basic right to have a sufficient quantity and quality of water for meeting needs. The Center has been co-founder and faithful supporter of the Alliance for the Defense of Water in Puntarenas Province and continues to promote action through this informal organization of more than 20 rural communities.

Among the actions of the Alliance was the work to prioritize the use of water sources for human consumption, knowing that this is a key part of guaranteeing the healthy and quality of life of these populations, especially as environmental degradation of watersheds and climate change continue to impact lives in the Central Pacific zone. 

The efforts to protect water resources and the river for the people, community, and the environment continues! If you are interested in finding out more about the river issues or getting involved, please send us an email at sdccostarica@gmail.com or stop by the Center! 

Tampa University's Visit: Water Resources and River Recreation!

Thank you to the Tampa University students and the Monteverde Institute for a lovely visit at the Sustainability Demonstration Center! 

These enthusiastic students came to receive a talk about water issues in Costa Rica. Water is such a precious resource for all living things and our planet - by learning and actively protecting our water resources, we can all contribute to the conservation of water. 

They also got to visit with our rescue animals - we currently have two toucans who are in our large outdoor rehabilitation cage that has a large fruiting tree and provides them with natural vegetation and habitat.

They also enjoyed a delicious, home-cooked meals made by local women. 

In addition to fun and food, the students also learned about the ongoing struggle of the townspeople to protect their rivers. They also got to experience the beauty and fun of the river firsthand... a highlight of the visit was definitely splashing and swimming in the river! 

Thanks again for your visit! We welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about water issues and river protection or a dip in the river to stop by!