Eco-volunteering refers to volunteer work in an environmental organization that helps to conserve the world’s biological wildlife (animals and plant protection) by promoting the reduction of the pollution and ensuring the use of sustainable development principles such as organic agriculture and renewable energies.

The missions consist of taking part in:

• reforestation programs
• biodiversity researches such as observing the way animals are eating, interacting with each others in order to better protect them
• education about the importance of the planet’s conservation to local communities.
• doing manual works to build paths, cages, huts etc…

The eco-volunteer has to pay for the programme he/she applied for (between 2 to 4 weeks) which includes the living fees, the transportations and a donation for the organization’s sustainability.

No specific qualifications are required to take part in the programme, except for good health conditions.

Some addresses of eco-volunteering organizations:
– Ikamaperu: wildlife protection in Peru
– AMA Torres del Paine: environmental organization in Chile
– Inti Wara Yassi: wildlife protection in Bolivia
– Projects Abroad: volunteering all over the world
– Jeunesse et Reconstruction: volunteering all over the world
– Cybelle Planete: eco-volunteering and eco-tourism
– Volontaires pour la Nature A Pas de Loup : volunteering in France and abroad
– Développement Sans Frontières (DSF): volunteering all over the world
– Orangutan Foundation: orangutan protection in Borneo
– ASVO: wildlife protection in Costa Rica
– OSA Conservation: wildlife protection in Costa Rica
– Merazonia: wildlife protection in Ecuador
– Solidarités Jeunesses: volunteering all over the world
– Concordia: volunteering all over the world
– Panthera Sanctuary: wildlife protection in Peru
– Saiga: volunteering all over the world

Wwoofing

Wwoofing (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is an international network of organisations that provide organic farms with volunteers wishing to learn about ecology and organic growth while experiencing life in rural areas.

The organic farms offer in exchange accomodation and food to volunteers who generally do farming and gardening activities five to six hours a day.

http://www.wwoof.net