Hello! We are MareBlu an Environmental Conservation Organization, based
in Costa Rica, founded 5 years ago by our director and activist Geronimo Ciuti
Z.
Our main goal is to minimize the impact of Plastic Pollution in our oceans, rivers and coastlines through our coastal cleanup expeditions, preventive, corrective and regenerative
programs that are possible thanks to our international volunteer program. We
have had volunteers from more than 50 countries around the world participating
in our projects. We also receive sponsorship from Companies and NGO's that believe change is a priority for
our planet.
The Location
MareBlu’s Volunteer Camp is for volunteers from 18 to 35 age, located inside
Punta Leona Resort, which is an hour’s drive from San Jose International
Airport, our camp has sleeping quarters for 10 volunteers at a time and serve
all meals. Punta Leona is surrounded by natural beauty and in the heart of the
central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This
location allows us to be close to many beaches, that desperately need our help.
Plastic Pollution from our main rivers coming from San Jose combined with poor
commercial fishing practices and local tourism, are the major sources of
contamination on the coastlines.
The Importance
This Program is very important for the environment because we are a
24/7 (full time) organization that cleans the coastlines from tons of plastic each
month. Besides our coastal cleanup expeditions we also run Environmental &
Regenerative Projects such as artificial reefs, coral gardening and turtle
protection program.
We believe in helping the poor communities, empower themselves and
guiding them on how to collect plastic debris on the coastlines and making an
income for themselves and their families. We are working on developing products
that contain plastics that otherwise would end up in landfill and converting
them on products that could be sold throughout the community. That way a conscious
awareness can start to develop in this communities and for them to realize
there is a way to earn income through the plastic contamination, helping
themselves, the community and the environment.
What we expect
As an Organization we would expect volunteers to have a positive attitude towards the program and the activities they are about to experience. Respect, team work and a sense of responsibility are always welcome from the volunteers. Either on the clean up Expeditions or an extracurricular activity having fun, getting out of the comfort zone and getting to know themselves is always an opportunity to grow and learn.
We expect volunteers to be neat and clean on their personal space as well as on common or shared areas.
What you can expect
We offer the volunteers a safe environment and experience. We make them conscious about the problems the world faces today regarding nature and climate change. We want them to have an amazing experience but also working hard to make a difference. We engrain in them important values of responsibility, hard work and embracing and appreciating nature while getting to know Costa Rica on an experience of a lifetime.
What to bring
During the stay and for the activities, the volunteers should use exercise clothing, tennis shoes, hiking boots or water shoes depends on the place. It is very important to bring reusable water bottle or camelback, an small backpack for cleanups, water bag for the phone, sun block (coral safe), bug repellent (coral safe) and of course swim wear and towel.
Here at the Camp we lend the T-shirt and the Cap for the working hours.
Note: We have 2 supermarkets available in the resort area so if you forget / loose an item, it can be purchase.
As part as our environmental involvement, besides the
beach and coastal cleaning expeditions, we constantly search for innovative beneficial projects for
ocean conservation:
MX1 Expedition
Truck
One of our newest Mareblu projects is the MX1, the
first Plastic Recovery Expedition vehicle in Costa Rica, set out to work hard
on difficult to reach beaches and coastlines. This rugged Isuzu NPS truck is
going to take our crew on amazing experiences through Costa Rica, on our
mission to clean our coastlines from plastic pollution and having an awesome
time doing it. It is fitted with roof racks and a trailer to haul the plastic
back to our headquarters and our up-cycling facility.
Artificial Reefs
On 2019, Punta Leona Resort and Club requested MareBlu to initiate the
development, design and construction of the artificial reef project. These
structures duplicate spheres, which in time will promote and enhance marine
life on the Playa Blanca marine reserve. This project consists of approximately
200 artificial reef structures will go through 2021 to 2030.
Upcycling Center
Our upcoming upcycling center will be one of a kind
facility on the central pacific of Costa Rica. We do not believe in retrieving
plastic pollution from the environment and sending it to the Municipal Land
fill. It is with that in mind, that we are creating the Upcycling center. First
to motivate recycling in the area, and second but most important to create
products from plastics we retrieve from the ocean, directly in our facility.
Turtle Release Experience
From august to January you will have the option to go South for the amazing experience of learning about turtles and all the process involved from the moment the turtles lay the eggs till the day the baby turtle hatch.
Ocean Alliance Program
Through one of our Initiatives called "Ocean Alliance Program" we can do an effective partnership, and
ensure sustainable results necessary for the ecosystems and the people in the
area. By sponsoring activities like this you are helping not only to recover
tons of plastic and other materials from our coastlines to be upcycled but also
giving families the opportunity to have a job and bring food to their
households.
Volunteers first and
foremost are the engine of our organization, with their enthusiasm and love for
the environment they help us daily to achieve our goals of significantly reducing
plastic pollution on our coastlines and therefore the ocean. Through our
vacations with a purpose approach they get to help the environment and have an
amazing time doing it while we discover Costa Rica's nature and beauty.