Volunteer

Every day STCB works to ensure the future for Bonaire’s sea turtles, and you can be a part of it. Whether in the office, in the field, or in front of your computer, there’s a way for you to volunteer. Check this section to see what’s waiting for you!


  • In-water Surveys

    Strong swimmers can help with our in-water surveys. Three days a week, from January through April, STCB conducts snorkel surveys along Bonaire’s west coast and around Klein Bonaire. During four 30 – 40 minute sessions, surveyors snorkel in a line of 4 to 6, arrayed from the shallows to the reef drop-off. Volunteers count and identify species seen. Learn more about the In-water Surveys

    To participate in in-water surveys, volunteers must:

    • be strong swimmers and have the strength to pull themselves aboard after snorkel sessions
    • be prepared to be exposed to the elements (sun, wind and water)
    • be available for a minimum of 6 survey days
  • Beach Cleanup

    Join community volunteers in beach cleanups. Volunteers should bring sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen), protective shoes, and please remember to bring re-usable water containers (cold water will be available for filling personal containers). Stop litter – bring your own re-usable containers!

    For more information about beach cleanups, send us an email or check our Facebook page. Year round beach cleaning on Bonaire is also carried organised by Debris Free Bonaire. Checkout www.debrisfreebonaire.com for more details. Learn more about our Beach Cleanups


  • Beachkeepers

    beachkeepers

    The job of Beachkeepers is to provide tender loving care to nesting beaches. Beachkeepers typically commit to patrolling one of Bonaire’s beaches one day week during the nesting season. Their role is to:

    • walk the beach looking for sea turtle activities;
    • report problems (vehicles on the beach, hazardous waste, stranded sea turtles, dogs on the beaches)
    • clean up litter

    To be a Beachkeeper:

    • you must have your own transportation to the beach
    • experience is not necessary but enthusiasm is a must!

    Beachkeepers who are committed and interested are given a training , which provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about Bonaire’s sea turtles. You are then prepared to explain the Beachkeeper program to curious beach-goers, to answer their basic questions about sea turtles and STCB’s work, and distribute STCB’s educational material. You don’t have to be an expert: most questions are pretty simple, and when people ask questions you can’t answer, your job is to connect them directly to STCB staff.

    For more information on the Beachkeeper program email STCB at field@bonaireturtles.org.

  • Fishing Line Project

    The Fishing Line Project aims to protect sea turtles from entanglement in discarded fishing line, hooks, nets and other debris found on Bonaire’s coral reefs. Eight times a year, volunteer recreational SCUBA divers, snorkelers and walkers help us remove the fishing lines that have become snagged on our reefs and shores. If you are an experienced diver or snorkeler and can spare a few hours a month, then please email us. You can also help by disposing of collected fishing lines in special STCB tangler bins. Learn more about the Fishing Line Project 

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RSIN: 8240.89.297 | KvK: 7167