Gain practical conservation experience to develop your career or take a break from your existing career whilst contributing to conservation efforts on a tropical island paradise.
Immerse yourself in nature and become an integral part of our conservation team, working to save some of the most threatened species in the world.
OVERVIEW
Project length:
1 day to 6 months or more
Age:
18 – 50 years old
Working hours:
In general Monday – Friday. During the weekends, volunteers are expected to work on a roster that will vary according to the number of volunteers. It is anticipated to be one day every 4 weekends, two hours in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. Time off will be given in lieu. Work days vary in accordance with the season and the work, but are generally an 8 hour day between 06:00 – 17:00.
WHY VOLUNTEER IN MAURITIUS?
• English and French are both spoken and written
• Safe and stable country
• Mauritians are friendly and welcoming
• Direct flights from London, Paris, Dubai, Frankfurt, Perth, Durban, Johannesburg, Réunion, Mumbai, Nairobi, Istanbul, Seychelles, Singapore
• Good health-care and infrastructure
• No vaccinations needed
• Year round agreeable climate
• Sun, sand, mountains, and beach activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, kite-surfing, sea-kayaking, dolphin and whale-watching
• Multi-cultural and inclusive society
WHY CHOOSE EBONY FOREST?
• We are leaders in forest restoration in Mauritius, managing multiple sites: Ebony Forest, Vallée de L’Est, Providence and Montagne Longue.
• We offer courses in guiding, education, forest restoration, conservation and data management
• We provide hands-on practical training, supported by theory
• You get to live in a tropical native forest.
• Our team is passionate, friendly and has years of experience.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING
Volunteers may participate in the following activities dependent on the season and following training and assessment:
• Assisting in bird ringing
• Mist-netting of birds
• Surveys of plants, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals
• Bird monitoring and reintroductions
• Giant tortoise monitoring
• Native plant propagation
• Forest restoration activities
• Environmental education and community engagement
• Other plant, invertebrate, reptile, bird and mammal work
• Preparing and feeding animals daily
• Maintaining aviaries and hoppers
WHO WILL YOU BE WORKING WITH
During your volunteer programme you will be working with the conservation team under the direction of Dr Nicolas Zuël and Dr Christine Griffiths. Your colleagues in the team, who will help train you in the different tasks have more than 5 years of experience in conservation in Mauritius. As well as working with a passionate and experienced team of Mauritian conservationists, you will also work alongside local volunteers and those from all corners of the globe.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation:
shared room in a field station at Ebony Forest Reserve
Training:
in all the activities
Letter of reference:
will be provided for each volunteer
Basic costs covered:
such as electricity, water, gas, toilet paper
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Flights, visas, travel health insurance, personal expenses, food, travel when not working, airport pick up and drop off.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Volunteers can stay in one of our two field stations. In most cases, you will be sharing a room at the field station. Each room accommodates 2 to 4 volunteers in bunk beds. There’s a kitchen, office, laundry room, a western-style toilet, hot shower, living room and veranda. Wifi is available.
One of the field stations is located on site in close proximity to the Visitor Centre, whereas the other is located 300 metres away.
REQUIREMENTS
Please take note of our minimum requirements:
• Basic English or French
• Flexible and open-minded
• Happy to work independently and in a team
• We’re not looking for experts, just a passion for wildlife and conservation!
• Be happy to work in all weather conditions!
HOW TO VOLUNTEER?
If you are keen to volunteer, contact Dr Nicolas Zuël by email, [email protected], and include the following:
• Email title: Volunteer
• A letter of motivation / interest
• CV
We will then arrange a Skype/WhatsApp chat to clearly describe the work involved, assess your needs and communicate ours. Following our chat, we will send you an email with additional information and arrangements.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Work alongside passionate professionals and develop a wide range of practical field experience and skills in fauna and flora conservation, which will help boost your future career, whether it be in conservation or not.
• Experience the island’s amazing wildlife and some of the most threatened species in the world: watch as a Pink Pigeon fledgling leaves its nest or Paradise flycatchers feed their young.
• Live in a forest reserve and watch amazing sunsets
• Make lifelong friends and have an amazing and unique adventure amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Small acts