Animal Release Center: Reserve Maintenance

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

Help us to maintain the grounds, the vegetable patch and the native seedling production.

The Mammal Monitoring is a part of our Eco-Volunteer role. As an Eco-Volunteer, you will help both IPBio (Biodiversity Research Institute) and Celine (Animal Release Center) in a range of activities which are conducted in a group. The majority of these tasks are field activities, so this is for the ...

About the program

The Mammal Monitoring is a part of our Eco-Volunteer role. As an Eco-Volunteer, you will help both IPBio (Biodiversity Research Institute) and Celine (Animal Release Center) in a range of activities which are conducted in a group. The majority of these tasks are field activities, so this is for the volunteers who like to be outside and enjoy physical activity.  

Reserve Maintenance:

This involves gardening, construction and maintenance of the reserves grounds. It is hard but rewarding work!

Besides Reserve Maintenance, we have a lot of other fun projects for which we can use your help, including Mammal Inventory,  Tree Inventory, Tadpole Research, Mushroom Inventory and many more! 

The Betary Reserve:

The Betary Reserve is situated about 6 kilometres from Iporanga. Iporanga is a small municipality in the State of São Paulo, founded in 1755 on the banks of the Ribeira de Iguape River and at the mouth of the Rio Iporanga. The name Iporanga of Tupi origin means "beautiful river". Iporanga has around 4,300 inhabitants and a total area of 127,700 hectares.     



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. Buoy cross, big balloons, are used to drift down the rivers, some of the river route are 3 hours long! After ...

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. Buoy cross, 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.

Other Skills

You must speak either English or Portuguese at an intermediate level.

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

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

In Reserva Betary, you will get a glance of the immensity of the Atlantic forest, the biodiversity is ridiculous, you will see more trees and insects than you can count, you will be amazed at the colors of plants and birds and you will be tired of the size and quantity of insects. The people here ...
Marie Boudouard rating4.6

2017 at Animal Release Center: Reserve Maintenance

Staying for a month at Betary Reserve was the perfect opportunity to learn about a wide range of paramount fields within the International volunteering actions. From the fascinating scientific research projects of the Institute to the discovery of the amazing World Natural Heritage that the Atlantic ...
I am from France and volunteered on reserve betary’s for 2 months, I really enjoy it. The betary reserve is an excellent working environment and is very comfortable to live in the yellow house, surrounded by wildlife. My mission was the tree inventory, the goal is to repertories all the ...
Aurélien Bernard rating4.4

2017 at Animal Release Center: Reserve Maintenance

I'll never forget my 8 weeks in Celine, this was a great experience of life, very different from the industrial world I'm coming from. While I was a volunteer here, I got the opportunity to work in different area of the reserve, from data collect to maintenance, and assistance to the researchers. ..
Charlotte Uhlig rating4.4

2017 at Animal Release Center: Reserve Maintenance

I had a wonderful time at Reserva Betary! You cross a hanging bridge over the river and suddenly you realize you are in the middle of the rainforest, surrounded by nothing but nature. It was amazing. Every morning I woke up and started my work with Rafael. My choice to help him in the garden worked ...
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. ..

Location

Americas > South America > Brazil > Iporanga

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