At a glance
- Protect endangered sea turtles by monitoring nests, collecting eggs, and releasing hatchings into the sea.
- Gain practical conservation experience by caring for the centre's turtles.
- Explore the historic Galle Fort and Hindu temples, embark on a thrilling wildlife safari, and join traditional cooking and dance workshops.
- Educate local school children about sea turtle conservation and participate in beach clean-ups, inspiring the continued protection of turtles.
- Make friends with your fellow volunteers from around the world and share an unforgettable experience in the sun, creating positive change.
- Volunteer Service Hours: 40
- Download a sample itinerary for this project.
Is Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka for teenagers right for me?
- Are you an ambitious high school student with a passion for animals?
- Would you like to spend your summer gaining practical experience that will give an edge to your CV?
- Do you dream of travelling and making new friends from all over the globe?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, this project is definitely for you! You’ll join a team of passionate conservation experts who actively protect and help the local environment through different initiatives.
This conservation project in Sri Lanka is designed by our staff exclusively for teenagers. All activities will take place in groups, follow a set itinerary, and you will be fully supervised throughout. This means you can focus on what matters most: relax, learn, and have fun throughout your trip without worrying about logistics, meals, and other details.
The best part? You don’t need experience for this project. All we ask of you is a willingness to help, an eagerness to learn, and a sense of curiosity!
What kind of work will I do in Sri Lanka?
As a conservation volunteer, you’ll work with local experts to protect the local biodiversity, with a focus on sea turtles.
The tasks you will take part in will depend on the season and needs of the centre and community at the time of your travel, but here is an example of what you can expect:
Here is a breakdown of the work you will do:
Search for and move turtle nests to a protected area
Your main role will be to work at the turtle conservation centre to take care of its residents, as well as locate and move turtle nests to a protected area. You will work with different species, including Green, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, and Hawksbill Turtles.
You will:
- Bury the sea turtle eggs in a safe, dedicated area to protect them from poachers
- Conduct daily checks on the eggs to monitor their hatching time and help the emerging baby turtles
- Wash the sea turtle tanks and refill them with seawater
- Prepare food to feed the turtles
- Take care of cleaning, feeding, and helping turtle hatchlings.
- Hand-feed any injured turtles
Habitat preservation
A key part of protecting sea turtles consists of protecting their habitat. To do this, you’ll conduct daily beach patrols, looking for pieces of fishing nets, a major cause of turtle mortality.
You’ll also embark on a boat safari along the Madu River. As you float peacefully, you’ll enjoy Sri Lanka’s natural beauty and notice the wildlife that surrounds you, from water monitor lizards to monkeys and a variety of bird and aquatic life. After witnessing the ecosystem firsthand, you’ll contribute to its preservation by planting mangroves.
Community awareness and education
To ensure that your conservation efforts will carry on long after you leave Sri Lanka, you’ll engage in educational work within the local community. Working alongside conservationists and turtle caretakers, you’ll work on an educational mural and make creative presentations for community members of all ages, explaining why coastal conservation is so important and why we need to secure turtle eggs from poachers.
Explore the surrounding region on a weekend trip
Finally, as you live and work in Sri Lanka with other teenagers, you will enjoy a range of new experiences.
Over one weekend, you will visit the Udawalawe National Park, where you can observe elephants and other species in their natural habitat during a safari, followed by a hike to Little Adam's Peak, where you'll enjoy panoramic views.
Sri Lanka is the third largest tea exporter, so the following day, you'll get the chance to tour a tea plantation and factory before visiting Nine Arch Bridge, a popular photo spot.
Where in Sri Lanka will I be based?
Balapitiya
You’ll be based in Ahungalla – Balapitiya, in the southern province of Sri Lanka. You’ll work at a conservation centre in Galbokka bay which is 10 minutes away from your host family by car.
Balapitiya is known for its beautiful calm beaches and artistic style. There are plenty of outdoor activities and stunning beaches to discover.
What is the goal of Marine Conservation work in Sri Lanka?
The aim of this programme is to ensure the protection and survival of endangered sea turtles and preserve the local ecosystem.
All species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered in Sri Lanka, and our work helps provide data and insights that help with the protection of these incredible creatures.
Here’s just one example of why this work is crucial:
Different populations of Green turtles around the world are likely to have different migratory paths. If Green turtles in one geographic area go extinct, it may be impossible to replace them with turtles from another area. This is because the new arrivals will lack the inherited instructions needed to navigate within and from their new homes.
The work you will accomplish during your stay, such as protecting the sea turtle eggs and helping the emerging baby turtles, directly prevents these problems.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay at a guesthouse, living with other volunteers of your age during your time in Sri Lanka.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities
As well as your conservation work, our team will have a range of activities for you to take part in to fully immerse yourself in the local culture:
- Galle Fort: Also known as Dutch Fort or Ramparts of Galle, this architectural and archaeological wonder was first built in 1588 by the Portuguese and lavishly rebuilt by the Dutch during the 17th century. It’s the largest remaining fortress in Asia constructed by any European imperial powers.
- Peace Temple: Explore the white Japanese Peace Pagoda, built in 2005 by an order of Buddhist monks to promote peace in conflict zones during the country’s civil war.
- Unawatuna: Wander through the vibrant markets to find unique souvenirs and end the day with a beachside sunset.
- Traditional Sri Lankan Beach Games: fun, quirky games, like running in tandem with the inside legs tied to one another, or throwing an egg between pairs at farther distances until only one pair remains and is the winner.
- Traditional dancing & cooking class
- Mirissa afternoon trip: Parrot Rock, Coconut Tree Hill, and Secret Beach
- Kanneliya Rainforest: walk through a lush forest and follow calming streams and beautiful waterfalls.
- Colombo city tour: visit the capital’s key landmarks, from the Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square to the Lotus Tower and Red Mosque, and go souvenir shopping.
- Farewell dinner: celebrate your achievements on your last day with a delicious dinner at the guest house in Colombo.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
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