FMB’s mission is to protect the unique fauna and flora of the island and at the same time create opportunities and long-term benefits for the people of Maio.
The Maio Biodiversity Foundation was established in 2010 when the need for conservation efforts became evident in Maio, Cape Verde. The goal of the Foundation is to protect the unique fauna and flora of the island, and at the same time create opportunities and long-term benefits for the people of Maio.
Maio is one of the most important islands for the loggerhead sea turtle in Cape Verde. This species is threatened by accidental destruction of nests, killing and egg collection by humans for consumption.
The FMB seeks to employ guards from the community and engage intennational and local volunteers to protect the nesting turtles and nests, from June to October every year.
Volunteers will join the community team (team leaders, guards, local volunteers and local university students), assisting with:
- Field work on nesting beaches (night patrol for protecting nesting turtles and nest, biological data collection, day surveys, data collection on number of dead turtles, nests, hatching events, etc)
- Education and awareness activities (presentations at schools, public events, organizing games and competitions for kids, beach clean ups, theatre and cinema evenings at the villages, etc)
- Office tasks (preparing education material, translations, updating social media on internet, data entry, etc)
Volunteers should have a strong interest in working closely with community members, an interest in the Cape Verdean culture, and be keen to get involved in all aspects of the sea turtles conservation work.
