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The Eco-Parque San José projects
“El Eco-parque Educativo San José” is a nature conservation and educational park in the outskirts of San Cristobal de las Casas (Zinacantan municipality). The park forms part of the State Natural History Institute and its main aim is the protection of the flora and fauna of the state of Chiapas.
It hosts different animals and plants but it has very little in common with a zoo: San José is an educational and research centre where biologists and technicians work in order to rehabilitate and preserve the natural beauties and richness of Chiapas.
The park occupies an area of about 16 hectares but, at the moment, only about 2 of them are used. The new administration would like to re-organise the park and its facilities according to a self sustainable philosophy. In the future they also plan to build bird watching facilities and to open bike routes for nature lovers.
As other institutions, the park lacks financial resources and needs a huge support in order to continue the incredible work that has been developing since 1995. San José and Nataté have signed an agreement and will together develop projects and activities together in order to preserve the biologic diversity of Chiapas. In 2008, the INH (Instituto de Historia Natural de Chiapas) and Nataté started a long term development project called “RECREARTE” (for “Remodelacion, CREcimiento, Articulacion Regional, Turismo, Ecologico”) aiming at rehabilitating the San José structure, developing unused spaces and available means and transforming this park into an eco-cultural pole of activities dedicated to local cultures, education and environment study and protection.
The workcamps will initiate this practical cooperation between the two organisations.
Title: “ECO-PARQUE EDUCATIVO DE SAN JOSE ”
Zinacantan municipality, San Cristobal DLC region, Chiapas State, South Mexico
| CODE | NAME | LOCATION | DATES | TYPE | AGE | MAX VOLS |
| NAT 05 | SAN JOSE FLORA | Zinacantan | 04/07–26/07 | ENVI/RENO | 18+ | 8 |
| NAT 10 | SAN JOSE FAUNA | Zinacantan | 08/08–30/08 | ENVI/RENO | 18+ | 8 |
Background
The “Parque Educativo San José” is one of the facility of the “Instituto de Historia Natural de Chiapas” (IHN), the state organisation in charge with environmental studies and protection in Chiapas. The 16 hectares (40 acres) of hills and wood they manage are dedicated to the biological study and protection of local flora and fauna, along with educational programs for local communities, children and students. All the species present in the structure are from Chiapas only. The Volunteers will support their activities and contribute to the renovation of the infrastructures of the main centre.
Work
The first project will focus on the Flora study department of the structure while the second will focus more on Fauna studies. In both projects, the volunteers will work on the renovation of the infrastructures used by the biologists to study and protect plants (orchids and bromelias) and look after animals (Coatis, Jaguarondis, deers, foxes, birds of prey, endemic reptiles and insects…). They will also help document different animals and plants (normal and medicinal) present in this protected area. They will finally contribute to several events organised by the “Parque” (Dia del Arbol, ceremonies.) If some time remains in the project, the volunteers will contribute to the cleaning of the area.
Study theme
The volunteers will learn more about the regional and national activities of the IHN, the ecosystems of Chiapas and the major environmental challenges of the state.
Leisure Time
Volunteers will organise their leisure time with the support of the project coordinator but in accordance with the necessities of the project. San Cristobal is very near, Palenque is closeby and the coast is at about 5h of bus from San Cristobal. Leisure time can also be spent resting and walking within the massive area of the Park.
Accommodation
The Volunteers will be hosted in the main building of the Park. Self cooking and cleaning in shifts. Basic Mexican living conditions. Sleeping bag and mat needed. The region can be cold day and night (15°C in the day, 5/10°C at night) because of the altitude (over 2300m).
Location
The “San José Bocomtenelté” Educative Park is situated in the Zinacantan municipality, 10Km from San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas state, south Mexico.
Terminal
National: San Cristobal de las Casas. International: Mexico city or Cancun
Special Requirement
No special Profile is required for this project. A basic Spanish language level is required. Volunteers interested in biology, zoology, botany, or protected space management will be particularly interested in this project. A large adaptability is required from the volunteers for both projects.
Extra fee
2600 Mexican Pesos (about 250 US$ / 160€)
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