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Quick Look
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Location:
Votua - Fiji
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Language of Instruction: English
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Academic Credit Available: Yes
Overview
Mike’s Divers’ Eco-Corps mission is to conserve Fiji’s natural and cultural resources through research, education, and by assisting with the development of sustainable livelihood opportunities in local communities. Our program provides information, training, and other resources to assist local communities in developing and implementing resource management plans and sustainable economic opportunities. Eco-Corps expedition members are international volunteers that are trained to work with a team of local and international partners to gather, manage, interpret, and disseminate information that’s crucial for village-based conservation efforts and effective resource management.
As an Eco-Corps expedition volunteer, you are taking part in a unique, grass-roots level conservation effort. After being welcomed to Votua village during a traditional sevusevu ceremony, you will be introduced to the village family that will host you during your stay. Fijian hospitality is renowned worldwide and living with a village family has been the most rewarding experience for many. As you explore and document the diverse fauna and fascinating culture of Fiji, you’ll experience the Fijian way-of-life and learn about coral reef fauna and local conservation issues and actions. After being trained to participate in research, education, and conservation efforts, you will have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of marine, terrestrial, and social projects with local community members. Our Eco-Corps program is a locally operated community cooperative effort, allowing over half of your expedition fees to go directly to village families, community funds, and local businesses; the remainder supports the on-site infrastructure and staff that facilitate the research, education, and conservation programs. Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and all bring different skills and expertise to the program.
The Fiji Islands consist of 300+ islands spread across 1.3 million sq. km of the tropical South Pacific. Eco-Corps expeditions are based in Votua village, on the lush and beautiful south-west coast of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu. Votua consists of approximately 40 families, which are very much dependent upon subsistence fishing and farming for their livelihood and culture.
Known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”, Fiji’s reefs are incredibly colorful and are home to a spectacular diversity of marine fauna. Votua Reef is part of a fringing reef system that stretches along 45km of coastline referred to as Fiji’s Coral Coast. This reef system consists of extensive inshore reef flat areas with sand and hard bottom habitats, deep channels that cut across the reef flats, and an outer reef slope that plunges steeply into deep water. Supporting an extraordinary array of intricately colored reef fishes and invertebrates, Votua Reef has breath-taking drop-offs that are coated in soft corals, giant sea fans and whips, lace corals, sponges, and sea-squirts. Other reef areas are covered in rich assemblages of hard corals, containing many of the ~400 species known from Fiji. Mega-fauna sightings are an amazing addition to the already phenomenal diving; sharks, turtles, dolphins, eagle rays, and schools of barracuda are seen regularly on the reef and in the channel.
Over 3000 species of plants have been identified in Fiji, roughly 1/3 of these are endemic. Much of the native flora is used for food, medicine, and building materials. The land around Votua is hilly, lush, fertile, and supports an incredible flora and fauna. Tropical fruits such as coconuts, mangos, guavas, papayas, pineapples, and a range of citruses thrive around Votua, as do crops of taro, cassava, and other dietary staples. While some of the area is farmed by the village, most of it remains natural forest and grassland. The forest is home to fruit bats, wild pigs, and a wide variety of tropical birds, reptiles, and insects, many of them endemic to Fiji. Several hot springs and waterfalls occur in the hilly forests around Votua.
Academic Credit
Academic credit is available.
Independent Studies credit can be arranged in advance
Eligibility
ages 18 and up.
Housing/Accommodation
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Homestay / Host Family
Program Costs
Programme fees are US$625/week
Costs
Include: Programme fees include: set up fees, assistance finding airline tickets, food, housing, all lectures and training, research materials, and eco-activities. Volunteers that are advanced-open-water certified divers will have the opportunity to participate in SCUBA activities during the programme. Additional recreational diving is offered at a 50% rate reduction to all Eco-Corps volunteers. Volunteers are also offered all dive certification courses at reduced rates.
Program fees do not include: air travel to Fiji, phone and internet use, dive certification, additional beverages.
Dates
Our expedition dates are flexible through December 2005 and you may join the on-going program at any time. Watch for web site updates or e-mail us for expedition dates beginning in January 2006.
Contact
Mike's Diver's Eco-Corps
PO Box 136
Korolevu
Fiji Islands
South Pacific
Tel:
US (650)879-0421
Fax:
(679)-653-0222
Email
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Web
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