Puerto Rico Wildlife Conservation

Coupled with agricultural development and industrialization, deforestation has destroyed not only Puerto Rico’s natural habitats but also the unique inhabitants of these environments, both on land and underwater. With the help of dedicated scientists, volunteers, and ecologically conscious travelers, Puerto Rico’s rare and magnificently varied wildlife—from birds and turtles to the less animated coral—should flourish for years to come. Volunteering to help conserve Puerto Rican wildlife is an opportunity to work with some of the rarest animals in the world.

US Fish & Wildlife Service (☎800-344-9453; www.fws.gov) has 3 offices in Puerto Rico.
- Cabo Rojo office, Rte. 301 Km 5.1 (☎851-7258, ext. 35). Participates in the Student Temporary Employment Program, which pays full-time students to spend 1 year working and studying on the reserve. Housing available.
- Vieques office, Rte. 200 Km 0.4 (☎741-2138; http://southeast.fws.gov/vieques). Accepts volunteers on an individual basis but has no housing or structured program.
- Culebra office, on Rte. 250 (☎742-0115; www.volunteer.gov). The best place to go if you want to work with turtles. Accepts individual volunteers and sometimes has housing available. Check website for information about projects around the island not associated with any particular office.
CORALations, P.O. Box 750, Culebra 00775 (☎556-6234; info@coralations.org). Focuses on coral reef preservation. Volunteers can assist with beach cleanup, underwater coral farm development, and water quality studies.
Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, C. Flamboyán 138, Esperanza, Vieques 00765 (☎741-8850; www.vcht.com). Works to protect and preserve the natural resources of Vieques. Accepts volunteers on a case-by-case basis to help with various projects, including maintaining the marine tank, collecting animals from Vieques shores and coral reefs, feeding animals, staffing the gift shop, and occasionally fundraising.