What Volunteers Do

Choosing the right volunteer position

You will probably want to consider three things to help you choose the right position; the type of work; the physical location of the reserve; and the isolation factor.

If you are like me, you are at your best when you are doing something you really enjoy. It is the same for volunteering and I recommend picking activities that you will enjoy. If you would like to do a number of activities or you are not sure, pick a reserve that offers plenty of options. Positions that offer one choice are great if you are sure it's what you want, but limiting if you find out it wasn't. Information on the what each type of work involves is in the list below. If you can not find the answer to your question, just ask us.

The physical location of the reserve can be important. If the reserve is in the cool cloud forest and you are a sun worshiper it may not be the best place for you. The location section of the information page for each reserve lists this information.

Some reserves are quite isolated, offering peace and tranquility, but perhaps limited opportunities to get to a town or     city on days off. At other reserves you may be the only volunteer or part of very small team. These are good choices if you like a lot of space and time to yourself. Information on this is listed on the page for each reserve.

Agroforestry

Agricultural Forestry or Agroforesty is the cultivation of trees for commercial purposes. In the US and Europe, pine tree plantations spring to mind, but it covers a lot more. In South America it focuses on fruit and nut bearing trees and timber producing trees. These trees are valuable commodities for the small communities that live in and around the reserves. Teaching these communities agroforesty techniques provides food and building materials and relieves the pressure on the surrounding forest. It is also a good way to begin the process of educating local communities on the value of trees and reforestation.

Working on agroforesty projects will involve collecting and planting seeds, transplanting saplings and pruning of large trees. Most agroforesty projects are close to volunteer accommodation and do not involve long treks into the jungle.

Capacity Building

Capacity building involves training local organizations or communities to undertake the work themselves. This is important for a number of reasons. It means that knowledge is being passed on to those involved. A really successful capacity building project will continue to pass on the knowledge gained for generations.

If you are really interested in this activity, take a close look at what knowledge you will be passing on. The most successful capacity builders are really enthusiastic about what they are passing on. You will need to speak some Spanish, but you will not be training people to take part in World Bank negotiations, so it does not need to be perfect.

Captive Breeding

Captive breeding is a technique that is used to boost the population of an animal or bird that is in decline or critically threatened. Animals and birds are released back into the wild at a suitable stage. This does not always happen as a number of factors can affect the process.

This is a great option if you are into animals, but you will need to feel comfortable working with birds and animals. Depending on the species, you will probably be handling it if you do this work.

Community Work

Involving the local community in conservation efforts is an essential component to ensure success in any conservation project. A community that cares about its environment becomes a powerful force for conservation and an excellent enforcer of reserve rules and boundaries. Communities living close to reserves tend to be poor. They receive little or no help from the government. Conservation projects often fill that gap by providing opportunities for the local community and to ensure that they are willing conservation partners.

Community work can involve teaching English or Environmental education at the local school, teaching agroforesty techniques, capacity building, sustainable wood production etc. This work is an excellent way to connect with the people who live in the local communities. You may need some Spanish for these positions, but not for all.

Eco-construction

Eco-construction techniques are used to make furniture, walls, ovens and even houses using only clay, sand, dry herbs, your hands, feet and imagination. This is a fascinating opportunity to step back in time and learn how our ancestors built some of the earliest dwellings. Be prepared to get dirty, but be prepared to have a lot of fun too.

Eco-tourism

Eco-tourism is a classic activity that brings benefits for the local community and the reserve. It offers the possibility of employment, income and visitors that will benefit other local businesses. Visitors to a reserve often become strong supporters and powerful voices in the continuing struggle to preserve these areas. For all these reasons, most reserves see an eco-tourism dimension as a priority.

However, establishing an eco-tourism program at a reserve requires good planning and a lot of work. Construction of accommodation, creating trails, establishing lists of what there is to see, training guides, hiring staff are but a few of the jobs to be done. Eco-tourism projects also need careful management, especially in sensitive areas. You will be helping in these areas.

Plant Conservation

Conservation of threatened or endangered plants helps maintain plant bio-diversity and stops their extinction. A number of the reserves we work with have active programs to preserve plants. The work involves collecting and cultivating seeds, careful tending of the plants and transplanting of the plant when it is ready.

Taking this option will mean that you learn about where plants fit into the eco-system, why they are important and where they will grow.

Reforestation

Deforestation is happening at an alarming rate in the Amazon. No surprises here. Illegal logging is big business and easy for big companies to do as poverty stricken families strive to earn some cash. Erosion is caused by tropical rains that wash out soil with no root structure to hold it in place. This reduces agricultural production and food supply. It also deprives animals and birds of habitat. Reforestation aims to reverse that process.

Reforestation involves seed collection and cultivation, rearing of saplings, transplantation of young trees to the reforestation area and on-going maintenance.

Research

Helping with an on-going research project is an excellent way of discovering more about what the reserves are doing. Your role will probably involve collecting data and observing and recording events. If you want to try this, it is worth choosing an area in which you are interested.

It may be possible to undertake your own research project. You will probably want to check with us whether what you have in mind would be suitable for the reserve where you plan to volunteer. Staff at the reserve will be happy to help supervise the project, or answer questions.

Reserve Maintenance

Maintaining the reserve involves cutting back overgrown foot paths, pruning trees, general tidying and cleaning of paths and trails. You will probably do some of this in most of the reserves.

Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture aims to grow food in a way that causes minimal damage to the environment. That means pesticide and chemical free, or in the way it used to be done. Indiscriminate use of pesticide and chemicals can cause on-going health problems and damage plants and the animals that feed on them in the surrounding environment. This is a particular concern in areas surrounding sensitive reserves.

Good sustainable agriculture techniques make food production cheaper, diminish health risks and improve the chances that endangered species will survive. They contribute to the aim of creating benefits for the local community and conservation. Oh and you also get to eat really tasty food!

Teaching

Teaching English or Environmental education at a local school will get you involved directly with the local community. This work brings real and direct rewards to you and the community. Teaching prepares the next generation to continue with and improve on conservation efforts. English speaking guides for eco-tourism projects are especially useful.

Teaching positions tend to be for a minimum of 3 months. Experience has shown that a shorter spell usually means that there is too much disruption for the children as teachers leave and arrive frequently.

Wetlands Management

Wetlands are important regulators of water flow. As such they play a key role in preventing flooding. They also host a diverse bird and marine life, some of which is endangered or critically threatened. The mangroves in some of these wetlands are critically threatened. Wetlands also provide local communities with a source of protein rich food. Many wetlands are disappearing. Wetlands management and creation seeks to stop that process.

Wildlife Monitoring

Wildlife monitoring is used to identify the range and habits of the animal or bird involved. It is a useful tool for scientists studying the animal or bird. The results can be used to identify priorities for habitat conservation for an endangered species.

The work involves accurate notation of results and the use of maps and the tracking system. Instruction on how to use the tracking system is given, but you should feel comfortable using maps.