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The program offers various activities focused on the conservation of natural resources on the island.

In order to encourage participants outside of Puerto Rico to join local volunteer initiatives focused on wildlife conservation, the non-profit organization, Conservation Opportunity (CO), developed the initiative, "Conservation Opportunity (CO)," to encourage participants outside of Puerto Rico to join local volunteer initiatives focused on wildlife conservation. Travel & ConSERVE: Conservation Service Experience, Restoration, Volunteer Engagement program.

This project is designed to provide a comprehensive conservation service experience, focusing on habitat improvement efforts and active volunteer participation. During activities, the CO team coordinates events and collaborates with local partners to ensure an impactful experience for participants. 

The first crowd of volunteers, comprised of 11 students and two adults from Compass School, led by teacher Louise Van Order Hodson, from the state of Vermont, took part in this experience at the beginning of April of this year. The school contributed to the project by covering the expenses related to the coordination, transportation and lodging of the volunteers during the initiative.

The American school students first visited the Semila estate in Barceloneta to learn about the cocoa growing process, agroforestry and work in the nursery and field. In addition, the company Air-it-there (AIT), by the AIT Earth Month 2024 initiative, donated snacks and soft drinks to those present to help the group and create a healthy and welcoming environment for all. In addition, farmer and IWA volunteer Victor Torres provided English translation services for the participants. Afterwards, they went to the Metanoia farm in Naguabo to plant 102 trees. 

“I truly enjoyed the work we did and the opportunity (presented by CO). When we planted trees it was very hot and that tested my patience and endurance. Still, it shows how the work on the farm is strong and active while planting cocoa trees or plants,” commented student Raisa on visiting the farm. 

Among the other activities carried out during the trip, the students visited the Punta Cucharas nature reserve in Ponce to clean up 20,380 pounds of garbage on the beach, as well as entering the El Yunque National Forest, along with the non-profit organization Love In Motion, to maintain the sidewalks.

“I am very grateful that our school group was able to connect with CO. We were able to see the island of Puerto Rico, as well as support their environmental cause. We were exposed to a variety of adventures that took us to both ends of the island, as we went to the mountains, beaches and rainforest. It was a great experience that definitely surpasses the usual sightseeing trip,” shared Van Order Hodson.

In an anonymous form, the participants left their opinions about the activities on the trip they had in Puerto Rico. This mainly consisted of reflections that spoke constructively about the program. Travel & ConSERVE. 

“This was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. It has taught me a lot about Puerto Rico and the service opportunities I can participate in. The assistants that helped us did an excellent job and were very tender. They always assisted us with any problems we had and demonstrated their work techniques,” mentioned one of the anonymous inductees. 

On the other hand, it is important to emphasize that the program Travel & ConSERVE is open to schools, community groups, universities, churches and groups of people interested in having a volunteer experience focused on conservation in Puerto Rico.

“The program of Travel & ConSERVE is opening the doors for our organization to engage with another audience that we had not yet explored. It fills us with joy to know that there are adults and young people who not only want to visit our beautiful archipelago, but also want to support positive causes here. We wish to continue developing this program in a sustainable way, helping us to fulfill our mission here in Puerto Rico, while receiving donations that incentivize our organization's volunteers for their valuable time and dedication,” stated CO's founder, Fabiola Torres.