Our dedicated staff run day-to-day operations and ensure that our programs are running smoothly. Throughout the year, they are joined by dozens of volunteers from around the world. In all areas of our work our team are continually expanding their knowledge whether that’s about the birds, their conservation or non-profit management.
Mario was born on March 3, 1996, in Limón, Costa Rica; his family was living in a small community called Manzanillo south of Limón and later they moved to the city of Limón. Mario is now a graduate student in the Forest Management and Wildlife Department of the National Technical University (UTN). He currently holds the position of Field Manager of the Research Station of the Great green Macaw with MRN.
The Macaw Recovery Network is very lucky to have energetic and dedicated people from all over the world donate their time to work with our Macaws. Volunteers stay a minimum of one month, though many stay a lot longer. They are an absolutely vital part of the organization and work very hard! Regular tasks for our volunteers include the day-to-day care and maintenance of our birds and their environments. However, we also have people who work within their specialties, including veterinarians, biologists, builders, landscape gardeners, tour guides and graphic designers. Volunteers live on-site and enjoy not only working up close with our magnificent Macaws but also engaging with people from all over the world in a cultural exchange in rural Costa Rica
Check out our volunteer opportunities here.After completing his degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton, he travelled to the island of Mauritius to join the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. After working on a number of species recovery projects in the UK and abroad, he completed an MSc in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation at Nottingham Trent University, UK. Tom has been involved with us since 2015, starting as a release site manager, then growing into the Program’s Manager role in Punta Islita. In 2018, Tom started his PhD on wild Great Green macaws in collaboration with Macaw Recovery Network. He resides with us part time to conduct his studies until 2021.
The Macaw Recovery Network is supported by a broad team of international experts without whom we would not be where we are today. We are forever grateful for their dedication and willingness to share their expertise in support of parrot conservation in the Neotropics.
Dr Nicola Hemmings is a research fellow at the Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK. She specialises in understanding the causes of reproductive failure in birds, and has developed techniques for examining failed eggs that can be used to diagnose fertility problems. Nicola is currently working with the Macaw Recovery Network to help them identify causes of hatching failure in threatened macaw species, by providing egg examination training and advice on improving hatching success.
The Macaw Recovery Network’s Internship Program has hosted and trained post-graduate volunteers ever since 2016. It’s curriculum is growing every year and proving to be an excellent stepping stone for post-graduates to then continue in their conservation careers.
The Network’s conservation sites could not exist without the dedicated volunteers that join our teams year round. We offer various Volunteering and Apprentice positions which give you an opportunity to get hands-on experience with the conservation of two threatened species of Macaw. .
Learn More