About Toucan Rescue Ranch

The Toucan Rescue Ranch’s (TRR) mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rican wildlife. TRR works with a model focusing on conservation, education, and research to ensure a brighter future for Costa Rican wildlife. TRR emphasizes the care, rehabilitation, and release of national wildlife. We receive and care for confiscated, sick, and injured animals from government agencies.

The Toucan Rescue Ranch works closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE), which brings injured and displaced wildlife to the center. TRR provides sanctuary while giving treatment and rehabilitation. Whenever possible the animal is released to their natural environment.

The Toucan Rescue Ranch is a licensed Costa Rica wildlife rescue facility, Costa Rica Foundation (300667701803), and a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 80-0516453).

Internship Description

Toucan Rescue Ranch is seeking a passionate and motivated Conservation Marketing Intern to join our team in San Isidro, Heredia, Costa Rica. This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts while gaining valuable experience in marketing, communications, photography, videography, copywriting, SEO, corporate sponsorships, and donor management within a non-profit organization.

Internship Duration: 6 or 4-Months

Work Schedule

The Intern works 5 days a week with two days off a week. Days off are not necessarily on the weekend. You will learn about your schedule and days off during your orientation at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.

Internship Location – Headquarters

Toucan Rescue Ranch’s main location in San Isidro, Heredia, Costa Rica, offers a unique environment for aspiring interns eager to work in wildlife conservation. Nestled in a region with a mild tropical climate, The Ranch experiences temperatures ranging from 60-80°F (16-27°C) year-round, with a dry season from December to April and a lush, green, rainy season from May to November. This climate creates a comfortable atmosphere for interns and staff and provides an optimal habitat for the diverse wildlife in our care.

Interns at The Ranch enjoy amenities designed to support their hands-on experience, including comfortable living spaces, shaded walkways through wildlife enclosures, and a fully equipped educational center where training and team collaboration sessions are held. With native plant gardens attracting local species like butterflies and birds, the Ranch offers a peaceful yet dynamic environment ideal for learning about Costa Rican ecology and developing practical animal care, enrichment, and conservation education skills.

Whether working in the sunshine of the dry season or witnessing the vibrant transformation during the rains, an internship at TRR’s Headquarters offers an immersive experience combining Costa Rica’s natural beauty with meaningful conservation work.

Skills You Will Learn from this Internship

• Teamwork.
• Exposure to the running of a wildlife rescue center.
• Researching current market trends.
• Identifying ways to improve the company’s marketing efforts.
• Managing the companies’ social media accounts and engaging with followers.
• Writing content/copywriting for marketing materials.
• Planning and campaign management.
• Fundraising and crowdfunding.
• Nonprofit marketing.

Activities & Responsibilities

• Collecting quantitative and qualitative data from marketing campaigns.
• Performing market analysis and research on competition.
• Supporting the marketing administration in daily administrative task.

Key Internship Responsibilities

• Content Creation: Develop engaging and informative content for various marketing channels, including social media, newsletters, and the organization’s website. Craft compelling copy for articles, blog posts, infographics, and videos focused on wildlife conservation and the mission of Toucan Rescue Ranch.
• Social Media Management: Assist in managing and growing the organization’s social media presence. Create and schedule posts, engage with followers, and implement SEO strategies to optimize content for search engines.
• Photography and Videography: Capture high-quality photos and videos of rescued animals, rehabilitation processes, and conservation initiatives. Edit and organize media content for use in marketing materials, social media, and fundraising campaigns.
• Copywriting: Develop persuasive and impactful copy for marketing materials, fundraising appeals, and donor communications. Ensure consistency in messaging across various platforms.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Implement SEO best practices to improve the visibility of Toucan Rescue Ranch’s online content. Research and analyze keywords, optimize website content, and track performance metrics.
• Corporate Sponsorships: Assist in researching potential corporate sponsors, developing sponsorship proposals, and maintaining relationships with existing sponsors. Collaborate with the development team to identify partnership opportunities.
• Donor Management: Support donor management efforts by assisting in the creation of donor communication materials, acknowledgment letters, and updates. Help maintain accurate donor records and contribute to donor engagement strategies.
• Crowdfunding and Fundraising: Plan and execute crowdfunding campaigns, working closely with the development team. Develop compelling fundraising materials, including emails, social media posts, and graphics, incorporating visual content and effective copywriting.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the conservation team to gather information and stories about rescued animals, rehabilitation efforts, and conservation initiatives. Collaborate with other interns and staff members to coordinate marketing campaigns.
• Event Support: Participate in the planning and execution of fundraising events and outreach programs. Capture moments through photography and videography, and assist in promoting events through various marketing channels.
• Educational Outreach: Participate in educational workshops and online seminars, sharing insights into wildlife conservation, the organization’s work, and engaging with the community to promote environmental awareness.
• Legacy Project: Execute a Legacy Project to showcase the skills learned during the internship. This may include creating a comprehensive marketing campaign, crowdfunding campaign, organizing a virtual event, or developing educational materials that leave a lasting impact on the organization’s mission.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Track the performance of marketing and fundraising initiatives, analyze data, and provide regular reports. Use insights to make recommendations for improvements and adjustments.

Requirements & Qualifications

General Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Provide proof of emergency health insurance while in Costa Rica.
• Provide proof of at least 2 COVID-19 vaccines.
• Provide proof of current tetanus and rabies (recommended) vaccinations.
• The ability to follow directions with attention to detail.
• A positive “can-do” attitude and the ability to work well in a team environment.

Specific Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a relevant field such as marketing, communications, environmental science, visual arts, or business.
• Strong skills in copywriting, SEO, and digital marketing.
• Photography and videography skills, with experience in editing software.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media management.
• Basic graphic design skills and familiarity with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Passion for wildlife conservation and environmental issues.
• Self-motivated, creative, and able to work independently and in a team.
• All applicants must have a marketing/communication-related discipline or have some experience working in the following fields.
• Business Administration.
• General Marketing/advertising.
• General Communications.
• Marketing and Digital Media/social media.
• Consumer Behavior or related field.
• Business Communications.
• Principles of Marketing.

Other Valuable Skills

• First aid course is highly recommended.
• Experience traveling to a tropical country and living in remote conditions is preferred.
• Experience working with wildlife is a plus.

Ensuring Best Practices Implementation

• Fostering practices that support and improve the Ranch’s philosophy and goals.
• Maintaining quality by establishing and enforcing organization standards.

Program Benefits & Costs

To make our internships accessible to a wide range of people, we’ve worked hard to keep them free. However, due to rising costs and fluctuations in tourism income, we must implement costs in our internship program. This fee covers room, board, and the valuable education you’ll receive throughout your internship.

Your contribution directly supports the medical care, food, and daily needs of the animals in our care, helping us maintain and improve our facilities, staff, and learning environment. Thank you for helping us continue our mission! Your donation is tax-deductible in the United States.

Apply Today!

One-page cover letter of interest—specify which internship you are interested in and the start date, CV or resume, and contact information for three professional references. After reviewing your application, we will promptly contact you to schedule a virtual interview.

If you have any questions, we are always available via email to answer any questions

Application form