Animal Release Center: Eco-Supporter

location
3 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Join our group of Eco-Volunteers and help out in various projects, ranging from creative projects to gardening and mammal monitoring.

FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine (Animal Release Center) has partnered with IPBio (Biodiversity Research Institute), an NGO that also works on the Betary Reserve with whom we cooperate closely, to develop a joint volunteer program. 

The Eco-Volunteer role is a joint role between IPBio and Celine which ...

About the program

FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine (Animal Release Center) has partnered with IPBio (Biodiversity Research Institute), an NGO that also works on the Betary Reserve with whom we cooperate closely, to develop a joint volunteer program. 

The Eco-Volunteer role is a joint role between IPBio and Celine which contains a range of activities which are conducted in a group. The majority of these tasks are field activities so this is for volunteers who like to be outside and enjoy physical activity. Not all these projects occur at the same time as various projects are seasonal. Tasks of an eco-volunteer are not limited to the roles below but we have listed the main areas that the eco-volunteer will participate in:

  • Tree Inventory: we study the biodiversity in different areas of the reserve to assess forest well-being. In the process we can understand the distribution of fruit tree species which is particularly important for Celine. Why? Imagine you are releasing a parrot which only eats a certain fruit and it only grows between June and July. Therefore you should only release this parrot during these months to ensure it has available food which will increase the chances of a successful release. Moreover, these birds are tagged and monitored after their reintroduction to the wild to ensure they are adapting well and therefore identifying fruit trees in the area will increase the likelihood of finding the bird to monitor their progress.
  • Garden Day: as a group we help out in the gardening, construction or maintenance of the reserves grounds. This is hard but rewarding work!
  • Mushroom Inventory: we search for new species of mushrooms in order to identify them, photograph them and collect their spore prints which are like a mushrooms finger print. In addition, we do searches at night to find bioluminescent mushrooms which light up the floor in an avatar-like fashion.
  • Tadpole Research: we have various projects related to tadpoles and often we need the help of volunteers to collect these tadpoles.
  • Bird Inventory: explore the forest strategically in order to inventory species of birds on the reserve as well as understand their distribution patterns and their seasonality.
  • Mammal Monitoring via Cameratraps: we have cameras filming 24/7 in the forest but all his data needs to be sorted. Volunteers are tasked with watching the footage, organizing the photos of mammals and identifying the species.
  • Fish Inventory: many birds are aquatic and live on the banks of rivers waiting to scoop up a fish. We study the biodiversity of fish in order to support the birds Celine releases and sometimes we need to bring them back a tasty snack. 

As you can imagine, in the rainforest it rains quite a lot. If every time it rained we stopped working we would never get any work done so often we need to keep going. However, sometimes it is too much, so when this happens volunteers sit in the comfort of the reserve and help us in other areas such as: 

  • Literature Research: Conduct online research to help us improve or set up new projects.
  • Communications: Support us in expanding our network via social media or find university contacts so we can develop partnerships.
  • Creative Projects: Such as creating beautiful birdhouses or art for the volunteer house.



Typical day

Our Eco-Volunteers work from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 with an hour lunch break. Often our Eco-Volunteers work as a group on two different projects every day. For example: In the morning we work on the Mammal Monitoring and in the afternoon on the Tadpole Research. This means that ...

Typical day

Our Eco-Volunteers work from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 with an hour lunch break. Often our Eco-Volunteers work as a group on two different projects every day. For example: In the morning we work on the Mammal Monitoring and in the afternoon on the Tadpole Research. This means that every day, your work will be fun and diverse!  


Free-time activities

Our town is called the Cave Capital of Brazil so volunteers often visit our state parks to explore the caves. Hike into the dense forest and visits to waterfalls are also common activities. Tubing, big balloons, are used to drift down the rivers, some of the river route are 3 hours long! After work ...

Free-time activities

Our town is called the Cave Capital of Brazil so volunteers often visit our state parks to explore the caves. Hike into the dense forest and visits to waterfalls are also common activities. Tubing, big balloons, are used to drift down the rivers, some of the river route are 3 hours long! After work volunteers can swim on the reserve deck, organize dinners, watch movies, read and go wildlife watching. On the weekend we often have a barbeque or organize dinner at a restaurant. Often there are social events or parties in the community that volunteers can go to.

 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV/Resume

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine

This fee covers the volunteer’s accommodation, internet access and project costs.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay at the Darwin Guest House, situated on the reserve itself, which accommodates up to 14 people in 8 rooms. Two rooms are collective rooms and 6 rooms are single rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, closet space and electricity outlets. Individual rooms have a desk with a chair. The house has 3 bathrooms with hot showers, a washing machine and has a fully equipped kitchen where volunteers can cook.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in Sao Paulo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Brazil provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Brazil you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Brazil. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Our Eco-Volunteer program does not have a fixed start- or end-date. Therefore volunteers can apply for our Eco-Volunteer program throughout the year. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

3 weeks (min. stay) 599€
50 weeks (max. stay) 9,968€
Average fees 199€/week

Program fees

199€ per week 3 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

3 - 50 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine

Brilliant 4.7 rating (39 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2018

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Imran

About the project

FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine is non-profit organisation, which fights for illegally captured wildlife to have a second chance to live free in their natural environment.

Meet your organization

Our History:

FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine is an non-profit organisation which was founded by the couple Martine Schmid-Fiorini and Pedro Schmid, both Swiss veterinarians, who worried about the fate of the wild animals coming from the illegal traffic and seized by local authorities. In an improvised installation at their residence in Iporanga, they began to care for wild animals, enabling their return to nature. Their activities attracted attention and gained recognition in the region by the local population, as well as by environmental authorities. Thus, familiar with the necessary care and the requirements for the release of wild animals, they founded FreeWildlife Brazil Celine in the Atlantic Forest.

Our Mission:

- Protect the Atlantic Forest, an important biome that houses many endemic and endangered species.

- To release wild animals in their natural environment, using appropriate technologies to rehabilitate and monitor the species, seeking the protection of faunistic communities.

- Offer the chance of freedom from illegally captured animals.

- Combat the hunting, trafficking and illegal capture of wild animals.

- Promote a more sustainable relationship between the local community and the environment in which they live.

Our Values:

Admiration - For the exuberance of the Atlantic Forest and its biodiversity.

Compassion - With living things and wildlife. We believe in respect for animals and their habitat.

Protection - Willingness to help protect the great heritage of biodiversity.

The Atlantic Forest:

The Atlantic Forest stretches from the northeastern to the southern regions of Brazil and northern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. Five hundred years ago, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil covered approximately 330 million acres, but today only 7% remains. In the Ribeira Valley, our region of the Atlantic Forest, we are at the footsteps of 21% of the 7% that is left, it being largest contiguous section of the Atlantic Forest. Despite the forests diminished state it still ranks as a global conservation priority. Although it is now just a small fraction of the size of the Amazon rainforest, the Atlantic Forest still harbors a range of biological diversity similar to that of the Amazon. The Atlantic Forest harbors around 2,200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians – 5% of the vertebrates on Earth. This includes nearly 200 bird species found nowhere else. The Betary Reserve is located next to one of the most famous Brazilian State Parks named PETAR. The region is called the Cave Capital as it known for containing over 300 spectacular caves, some which are accessible to tourists. 

What We Do:

FreeWildlife Brazil Celine will primarily focus on the release of native birds and will monitor their progress after reintroduction. The Release Center, with a management area of 4 hectares, is situated in the municipality of Iporanga on the Betary Reserve. We have partnered with IPBio (Biodiversity Research Institute), an NGO that also works on the Betary Reserve with whom we cooperate closely, to develop a joint volunteer program. Check the volunteer package at http://ipbio.org.br/wp-content/uploads/Volunteer-Package-IPBio-Celine-13FINAL.pdf

Why FreeWildlife Brazil Celine?

  • Enjoy the stunning natural wonders of the Atlantic Forest.
  • Contribute to efforts aimed at preserving the Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots!
  • Help us raise awareness of the illegal activities facing wildlife in Brazil, including hunting and trafficking.
  • Acquire experience in wildlife conservation.
  • Gain a broader knowledge of ecology, zoology and biology.
  • Enjoy a range of fun activities, from dolphin watching to cave exploration, together with other volunteers.
  • Meet volunteers from other parts of the world and make lifelong friends.

39 reviews · rating4.7

Maximilian Platzgummer Nagy rating5

2024 at Animal Release Center: Eco-Supporter

After having spent nearly 3 months from mid-January to early April at IPBio, I can only say that this experience has been absolutely incredible and unforgettable. Every day I think back to the various weekend activities, fun work programs and most of all, the incredibly kind people I've met there. ..
Lucas Baumann rating5

2022 at Animal Release Center: Eco-Supporter

This has been an incredible experience that will always stay with me! I did not want to to leave, and wish I had stayed longer! The staff is amazing, they are kind , knowledgeable, and passionate and they try their very best to give volunteers a great ...
Baptiste Merceron rating5

2019 at Animal Release Center: Eco-Supporter

this reserve is just beautiful, the staff is great, the activities are amazing. For those who love nature and want to study biology, make it an incredible ...
Dayron Sanchez rating5

2018 at Animal Release Center: Eco-Supporter

Hello Everyone, I am an Environmental Engineering major from Miami Florida and my last two months have been spent volunteering at Betary Reserve. The position that I undertook coming in was a Biological Research Assistant, this is a more specialized role in comparison to one of the other options ...
After finishing my masters in Aquatic Science I knew I wanted to work in Conservation. However, after applying for a few jobs in the Conservation Sector I realised my CV had some key skills missing for me to succeed. That’s why I signed up to be an Eco-Volunteer at the Betary Reserve and it has ...
Kareem Rabbat rating5

2018 at Animal Release Center: Eco-Supporter

The projects that we work on here at Betary Reserve are very educational and fun. From tagging trees to monitor forest growth to collecting macroinvertebrates to monitor habitats everything we do is for a very important cause. It is great to reap the benefits of the work that we do, for example we ...

Location

Americas > South America > Brazil > Iporanga

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