The eco-park San José Bocomtenelté is an educational park and a natural conservation area located in the outskirts of San Cristóbal de las Casas (municipality of Zinacantán). The park is part of the Institute of Natural History of the State of Chiapas and its fundamental objective is the protection of the flora and the fauna of the state of Chiapas.
It is a research centre that lodges different types of animal species and plants, where biologists and technicians work with the purpose of rehabilitating and preserving the natural beauties and the wealth of Chiapas.
The park occupies an area of 16 hectare, but until now, only 2 hectare are used. The new administration wants to reorganize the park and its facilities according to its viable and ecological philosophy, as well as to develop services for nature lovers and responsible tourists (facilities to observe birds, ecological routes on bicycle, refuges, etc.). The plans for the future are part of the strategic planning of the Institute.
RECREARTE comes from "Remodeling, Growth, Regional Articulation, Ecological Tourism" and summarizes the activities of rehabilitation and improvement of the park.
Activities:
The volunteers will work on the renovation of the infrastructure used by the biologists for the study of orchids and bromeliads. They will also produce information boareds and will work on the improvement of a mountain biking pathway. The works will include the conditioning of the "epifitario" and of the botanical garden. The volunteers will also work on the renovation of the infrastructure and will support the team in charge of the park's small zoo.
Duration of the project:
From 6-12 months.
Location:
Eco-parque San José, San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Food and Accommodation:
Nataté provides accommodation for all the projects located in San Cristobal de las Casas in a house located in the centre of the city. The house has 6 rooms and volunteers share the rooms with other volunteers. There is a maximum of two volunteers per room. The house has all facilities at disposal – living room, kitchen, 3 toilets/showers and a small patio. Volunteers have the possibility to cook for themselves. Mexican food is very rich and meat is quite common. However, vegetarians and vegans should not have a problem finding what they need for their diet. The school provides food, breakfast and vegetarian lunch.
Travel:
By plane - Arrival airport is Tuxtla Gutiérrez. From the airport it is possible to catch a collective taxi or a shutter bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Volunteers can arrive in Mexico City and take a bus to San Cristobal de las Casas. The trip is long (13 hours) but cheaper than the plane. By Bus - Arrival bus terminal is OCC in San Cristóbal de las Casas. From there walk till the office.
Leisure activities:
There are many opportunities for volunteers to enjoy their stay in Mexico. Only in the state of Chiapas the possibilities to visit places and have an enriching cultural experience are many. Guatemala is also nearby and volunteers can take advantage of this geographical situation.
Drug use:
The drug situation in Mexico is quite complicated. While most of the violence occurs between the drug cartels and drug dealers, volunteers must be aware of the risks that imply the use of drugs. In any case the use of any type of drugs is prohibited in Nataté's house or any of the projects' premises. Nataté will not be tolerant with anyone using drugs in the house or in the projects. Not abiding to this rule will be a reason for being expelled.
Language:
Spanish is the main language in the project.
Hosting Fee:
There is a participation fee of 2500 Mexican pesos per month (about 115 GBP). This fee covers accommodation and food plus administrative costs.
The local association 'Jardín de Epifitas' works in the creation of a Botanical Garden in the Cerrito of San Cristóbal with the approach of an Environmental Culture using a demonstrative centre and workshops throughout the city, where sustainable examples are shown, such as techniques of recycling, productive generation of renewable energy, possibilities and optimization in the use of the resources (water, ground and biodiversity).
Objective of the project:
Reproduction of local species to incorporate the local flora in projects of repopulation, conservation, and restoration in urban and suburban areas.
Activities:
- Rescue plants of diverse vegetable families. - Care, culture and exhibit plants recovered with an educational purpose. - Develop and train an educational project in horticulture. - Develop artistic activities inside the garden. - Work on investigation of species with genetic, forest, horticultural, handcrafted potential and other sustainable development purposes. - Participate in the creation of the Botanical Garden in the San Cristobal hill.
Duration of the project:
From 6-12 months.
Location:
San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Food and Accommodation:
Nataté provides accommodation for all the projects located in San Cristobal de las Casas in a house located in the centre of the city. The house has 6 rooms and volunteers share the rooms with other volunteers. There is a maximum of two volunteers per room. The house has all facilities at disposal – living room, kitchen, 3 toilets/showers and a small patio. Volunteers have the possibility to cook for themselves. Mexican food is very rich and meat is quite common. However, vegetarians and vegans should not have a problem finding what they need for their diet. The school provides food, breakfast and vegetarian lunch.
Travel:
By plane - Arrival airport is Tuxtla Gutiérrez. From the airport it is possible to catch a collective taxi or a shutter bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Volunteers can arrive in Mexico City and take a bus to San Cristobal de las Casas. The trip is long (13 hours) but cheaper than the plane. By Bus - Arrival bus terminal is OCC in San Cristóbal de las Casas. From there walk till the office.
Leisure activities:
There are many opportunities for volunteers to enjoy their stay in Mexico. Only in the state of Chiapas the possibilities to visit places and have an enriching cultural experience are many. Guatemala is also nearby and volunteers can take advantage of this geographical situation.
Drug use:
The drug situation in Mexico is quite complicated. While most of the violence occurs between the drug cartels and drug dealers, volunteers must be aware of the risks that imply the use of drugs. In any case the use of any type of drugs is prohibited in Nataté's house or any of the projects' premises. Nataté will not be tolerant with anyone using drugs in the house or in the projects. Not abiding to this rule will be a reason for being expelled.
Language:
Spanish is the main language in the project.
Hosting Fee:
There is a participation fee of 2500 Mexican pesos per month (about 115 GBP). This fee covers accommodation and food plus administrative costs.
Cotzaselch's Cooperative is a lasting project in benefit of Tzajalá's village. With their workshops of traditional jewelery, their agro-ecological experimental farm (horticulture, coffee, medicinal plants, etc) the cooperative develops sustainable development projects in total agreement with the nature.
Supported by the French Association SIERRA with whom Nataté has recently signed a 2-year cooperation agreement, the cooperative integrates voluntary service in its activities and the organisation of international workcamps is becoming an important tool for the organisation.
Activities:
The volunteers will work mainly on organic agriculture, as well as construction using ecological and traditional materials and will rehabilitate several of the cabins in the Ha O Mek Ka community. They will have the opportunity to produce diverse handicrafts and will learn and apply techniques of permaculture, horticulture, compost making, lombriculture, amongst others.
Duration of the project:
From 6-12 months.
Location:
Tzajalá, municipality of Ocosingo; approximately 1 hour from San Cristobal de las Casas.
Food and Accommodation:
The volunteers will be staying in one of the cabins of the hosting centre. It can be either shared or an individual room. Meals will be provided by the centre but volunteers will have the chance to participate in their preparation.
Travel:
By plane - Arrival airport is Tuxtla Gutiérrez. From the airport it is possible to catch a collective taxi or a shutter bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Volunteers can arrive in Mexico City and take a bus to San Cristobal de las Casas. The trip is long (13 hours) but cheaper than the plane. By Bus - Arrival bus terminal is OCC in San Cristóbal de las Casas. From there walk till the office.
Leisure activities:
There are many opportunities for volunteers to enjoy their stay in Mexico. Only in the state of Chiapas the possibilities to visit places and have an enriching cultural experience are many. Guatemala is also nearby and volunteers can take advantage of this geographical situation.
Drug use:
The drug situation in Mexico is quite complicated. While most of the violence occurs between the drug cartels and drug dealers, volunteers must be aware of the risks that imply the use of drugs. In any case the use of any type of drugs is prohibited in Nataté's house or any of the projects' premises. Nataté will not be tolerant with anyone using drugs in the house or in the projects. Not abiding to this rule will be a reason for being expelled.
Language:
Spanish is the main language in the project.
Hosting Fee:
There is a participation fee of 2500 Mexican pesos per month (about 115 GBP). This fee covers accommodation and food plus administrative costs.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
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