Volunteering with A Rocha

Opportunities with our National Organizations

A Rocha is currently seeking volunteers for its work in the following countries:

Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, India, Kenya, Lebanon,
Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, UK, USA

Bulgaria

A Rocha Bulgaria is in the early days of project development – the committee all live in and around Sofia. They would welcome an accomplished birdwatcher, or ornithologist with survey skills, to help survey for a week or two.

Canada

A Rocha Canada operates two Field Study Centres. Our British Columbia Field Study Centre in South Surrey has recently relocated to Brooksdale Farm, a 38-acre heritage estate located on the Little Campbell River. It is roughly 3 kilometres from its estuary on Semiahmoo Bay, which forms part of the Boundary Bay Important Bird Area. The property is a 40-minute drive from Vancouver International Airport.

Applications for both short and long-term volunteers are encouraged. We have a variety of ongoing conservation, bio-inventory, sustainable agriculture, and education projects. We welcome people with particular skills in these three program areas, as well as “generalists” who would like to help out with cooking, carpentry and maintenance. 

The Centre in Southern Manitoba is a 100-acre property located in the Pembina Valley, 30 minutes outside of Morden and Winkler. A month-long Raptor survey is held every spring and volunteers with bird monitoring experience are encouraged to participate. The Centre is busiest in the summer months when a variety of conservation, education and arts programs are held. Both those with interests in these fields and also those with more general interests and skills are encouraged to apply. 

Room and board costs are $30 CAN/day or $600 CAN/month for individuals staying for three months or more.

Czech Republic

Each spring/early summer volunteers are needed to help with monitoring / ringing endangered birds under the Natura 2000 - European Birds Directive for Special Protected Areas (SPA's). At least one person per week needs to be a licensed bird ringer - the work will be mainly with Corncrake and Redbacked Shrike and will be in the Eagle Mountains, E. Bohemia.

France

Les Tourades is A Rocha France’s field study centre in the Vallée des Baux, Provence. The centre is 6 km east of Arles, and is within easy reach by car of the well-known Camargue wetlands, la Crau steppe and les Alpilles limestone hills. We work closely with local landowners, particularly in the Vallée des Baux, where the land-use comprises olive groves, vineyards, grazing for herd animals, and other agriculture. The valley includes canals and natural wetlands, Holm Oak and pine forest, and the garrigue ecosystem.

Volunteers are welcomed for stays of at least two weeks, to help with a wide variety of practical tasks ranging from centre operations and maintenance, gardening, cooking, office work (IT, grant-writing, clerical tasks, data entry) to wildlife and habitat surveys. Volunteers live in comfortable conditions in shared dormitories, and pay about 120 euros for a week’s full board.

Those who participate in our scientific program need to be physically fit and able to cycle 10-30 km to reach the study sites. Ability in French, while not essential, is an asset. Because the community at Les Tourades is an international one, we do not offer a French-language immersion experience.

Each year, A Rocha France welcomes volunteers from abroad as part of the European Voluntary Service scheme. If you live in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway, and if you are under thirty years of age (ideally between 18 and 25) you could apply to be an EVS volunteer. Volunteers receive free flights to and from their country of origin (within the EU), free board and lodging, free language classes and other training and pocket money. This option involves a commitment to stay 6 to 12 months and typically needs to be planned 6 months or more in advance due to the length of processing applications by the European Union.

Long-term volunteer positions at Les Tourades include: 

• scientific assistant
• environmental education assistant (with skills in: education, small group leadership, graphic design and drawing, and a handle on the French language)
• communications assistant (with skills in writing, storytelling, print and web design)
• gardening and house help (with agricultural and organisational skills).

These team members may live on or off-site, and join the team for 6 -12 months or more. They must be financially self- supporting, and A Rocha France is available to help volunteers raise support from their local communities.

Le Domaine des Courmettes is A Rocha France’s second site, an hour’s drive up into the hills northwest of Nice. It offers 600 ha of preserved wildlife in a variety of natural habitats and a breathtaking view of the French Riviera. The Domain is open to the public, with several hiking trails.

This is a pioneering experience, with a small on-site team and volunteering needs in many areas: building, painting, roofing, insulating, administrating, welcoming visitors and hikers (including Scout groups in the summer), nature surveying, path-making, marketing, hosting commercial events such as weddings, church gatherings and company seminars, and so much more. Les Courmettes is a stunningly beautiful site which holds huge potential for touching hearts and lives and helping visitors connect with the losses generated by climate change and the joys of living healthily. Come and be a part of it as an individual or even better, as a group!

A Rocha also hopes to develop various environmental education tools in the near future, as well as eco-tourism in the years to come.

Volunteers at Les Courmettes are welcomed for for stays of at least two weeks. Living conditions are a little rougher than at Les Tourades, especially during the winter months, and city dwellers might feel somewhat isolated over longer stays. Count on about 120 euros for a week’s full board.

Those who participate in outdoors work need to be physically fit and able to hike around the Domain. Ability in French, while not essential, is an asset. Because the community at Les Courmettes is an international one, we do not offer a French-language immersion experience.

Long-term volunteer positions at Les Courmettes include:

• logistics assistant for events management and welcoming visitors (with organisational and people skills)
• commercial assistant (with French skills to help rent the facilities for conferences, training, weddings, etc.)
• land management assistant (with skills in environmental management)
• renewable energy project manager (for implementation on site and to offer feasibility studies for churches and parachurch structures)
• environmental education assistant (with skills in education, small group leadership, graphic design and drawing)
• gardening and house help (with agriculture and organisational skills).

These team members may live on or off-site; they would join the team for 6–12 months or more. They must be financially self-supporting, and A Rocha France is available to help volunteers raise support from their local communities.

India

We offer opportunities to volunteer in practical conservation work. A Rocha presently has volunteers from India and abroad actively participating in research surveys, elephant censuses, and other programs. The following skill sets are welcome:

• landscaping and gardening: experience to develop a garden and kitchen nursery; knowledge of organic farming an added advantage. The garden/nursery will be used in the field study centre’s teaching activities.
• teaching English: teaching capabilities, innovation and creativity to teach to rural children whose first language is not English while creating awareness of environmental issues.
• administrative support: basic office administration knowledge, good communication skills, computer skills (ex: Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and publication skills preferred.

Kenya

The Kenyan team welcomes one or two general volunteers at a time. It is also looking for specific volunteers in the following areas:

• ‘handyman’ or DIY skills, including carpentry, cement work, electrical installation and vehicle mechanics
• Artist – sketching wildlife and illustrating books / environmental education material
• Environmental interpretation board designer for our Ecotourism facility at Gede Ruins
• IT (Information Technology) – both hardware and software; a competent knowledge of networks would be invaluable
• GIS expertise

Volunteers would usually come for a period of 4-12 weeks, and would be based at the field study centre, Mwamba, on the coast at Watamu.

Costs: approximately $37 US per day for guests and $15 US per day for volunteers, including all three meals.

Lebanon

A Rocha Lebanon is accepting volunteers, although volunteers and visitors need to be aware that the situation can change rapidly and up to date information should be sought from the team. As always, full travel insurance is essential.

The main project is in the Bekaa valley, at the Aammiq Marsh, with an adjacent schoolroom for environmental education.

Volunteers are welcome and will be accommodated in the guest flat in the beautiful village of Aana close to the Aammiq area. We regret that single females can only be accepted in exceptional circumstances, since for cultural reasons their activities would be very limited. Applications from those speaking French or Arabic, with some experience of the Middle East, are especially welcome (but not essential). There is a particular need for ringers/banders, botanists, entomologists, specialists in freshwater invertebrates and odonata or any other natural history interest. In the spring, particularly, volunteers willing to help with the education programme will be very helpful.

For any one wanting to volunteer for an extended period (one year or more) there is the possibility of joining the team as a scientific officer. This position is particularly suitable for candidates interested in bird monitoring, with or without bird ringing experience. For a suitable individual accommodation would be provided free but they would need to be able to cover all personal expenses.

Netherlands

A Rocha Netherlands is growing, and for that reason we are always looking for Dutch volunteers who are willing to take responsibility for a part of the work. Anyone interested in starting a local A Rocha group, for example from out of their church, please contact A Rocha Netherlands. If you are interested to contribute in another way to the work of A Rocha, your suggestion is very welcome as well. Please contact us.

Peru

A Rocha Peru is currently very limited in terms of human resource capacity and would greatly appreciate the input of a limited number of skilled, motivated and flexible volunteers. Volunteers with skills ranging from institutional support (graphic design, communication, fundraising, etc.) to project implementation (project design, science and research, environmental education, community conservation and development) would be welcome for up to three months. 

Accommodation would be with a local host family either in a provincial town (living costs of about 400 USD per month) or in Lima, where costs would be higher. This amount would cover room and board and local transportation. It would not include trips within the country by land or air – needed if the volunteer is based outside Lima.

Portugal

Work here is based at Cruzinha, A Rocha’s bird observatory and field study centre set in the Alvor marshes in the Algarve.

First time volunteers usually stay for 2–6 weeks and all kinds of skills are welcome: DIY (handyman) skills, IT skills, wildlife observation and reporting skills, an ability to cook for large numbers, artistic ability and photography can all be useful. We would also welcome someone with experience of fundraising.

Costs: a maximum of 110.60 euros a week in the summer, towards the cost of administration and meals, with the Centre giving free accommodation, use of the facilities and supervision and occasional trips to the beach and other places. At other times of the year it’s cheaper, so ask for more information.

One or two volunteers are welcomed each year under the EVS scheme: if you live in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway, and if you are under thirty years of age and are willing to spend six to twelve months working at Cruzinha, you could apply to be the next EVS volunteer. This opportunity would ideally suit a gap year student or graduate looking for conservation experience, though it is open to anyone who fulfils the above criteria. EVS volunteers receive free flights to and from their country of origin (within the EU), free board and lodging, free language classes and about 95 euros a month.

At the moment we are particularly looking for a long-term volunteer with web design skills.

European Storm-petrel project May-June 2011

Each year, we also welcome volunteers from all around the world and of all ages to take part in our Storm-petrel project, monitoring the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. We are currently looking for volunteers to join us in Portugal for 10 days during May–June 2011. For further details about our research and to see photos of previous storm-petrel teams in action visit http://stormies-online.blogspot.com.

Singapore

The International Team is looking for:

• administrative support in either West Malaysia or Singapore to help organise conferences, talks, and build capacity in the region
• a Graphics Design volunteer to adapt exhibition posters and materials for an Asian conference in September (period April–Aug 2011)

South Africa

We need long term volunteers, preferably locally in Pietermaritzburg, to assist our Schools’ Field Worker with running a primary school environment club in local schools. This position is ideal for someone doing an Honours or Masters project in environmental education.

We need a field researcher interested in continuing the work of our baseline botanical survey in the Living Msunduzi Waterways conservancy.

A long term volunteer office administrator and a short term volunteer with IT skills will be most welcome.

Uganda

A Rocha Uganda would appreciate volunteers to bring skills and build the capacity of the team. Costs are £100 per month, including bed, basic breakfast and lunch. Arrangements for the evening meal would be made at the volunteer’s further expense.

Current needs:

• Communication skills
• Information Technology
• Fundraising skills
• Advocacy skills
• Research skills: habitat and species, ecological experiment design, species identification, GIS, database management, statistical analysis and writing publications.
• Development of research objectives, communication & marketing strategies and support schemes

UK

A Rocha Living Waterways needs volunteers to work in a unique urban setting in Southall, West London from 1 week to 1 year to help with a variety of jobs - anything from IT, cooking and using artistic skills to helping with play schemes and doing practical conservation at Minet Country Park.

The residential Centre in Southall, shared by volunteers, visitors and some of the team, gives us the opportunity to accept individuals or small groups of up to 6 people. Ideally volunteers help wherever there is a need, but specialist skills are always welcome, as are research projects. Work at the centre includes building maintenance, gardening, cooking and cleaning, administrative and office help. The cost to stay at the Centre as a volunteer is £12 per day (£84 per week) which includes food.

At Minet Country Park there are practical conservation work parties, regular bird ringing and field survey work. There is scope to create nature trails, interpretation boards and art installations. The education work includes various activities during term time including After School Clubs, school assemblies and ‘Environmental Encounters’ (linked with the National Curriculum) at Minet Country Park. There may also be the chance to get involved in our community allotment project.

Each summer there is at least one holiday playscheme for children. We will also be looking for volunteers to help with art and educational activities on the West London floating classroom on the Grand Union Canal.

In this multi-cultural community where 95% of the local population is made up of ethnic minorities, we organise regular events at Minet Country Park and work with other faith leaders locally. 

If you live within close range of Southall and can help as a regular but non-residential volunteer (for example to carry out surveys in the Minet Country Park), or if you could help on any of the publicity stands at our events which usually take place during the summer months please contact us for details.

Each year, A Rocha UK welcomes volunteers from abroad as part of the European Voluntary Service scheme. If you live in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Mediterranean partner countries, Eastern Europe, Caucasus or South-east Europe (see the full list of countries included), and if you are under thirty years of age (ideally between 18 and 25) you could apply to be an EVS volunteer. Volunteers are covered for 90% of costs of travel to and from their country of origin, free board and lodging, free language classes and other training and pocket money. A Rocha UK needs two people willing to spend twelve months working with them in urban Southall, West London. The EVS scheme would suit a gap year student or a graduate looking for conservation or environmental education experience.

However, those with different interests and skills, especially community work, are also welcome to apply. Southall is a multi-cultural community where 95% of the local population is made up of ethnic minorities, and A Rocha actively works with other faith groups. Although it is not essential to be a Christian to volunteer for us, as we have volunteers from all faith backgrounds, and none, it is helpful if volunteers are prepared to respect our Christian ethos and respect those of other faiths.

There are two vacancies per year, one starting early in the year and the other in Spring.

USA

A Rocha USA is establishing a nationwide network of conservation activities. We welcome volunteers at several sites, but are unable to provide housing at this time. Please see our website for the latest opportunities. We are also glad to connect with people interested in starting a conservation effort in their own communities and with people interested in volunteering to help with various administrative and communication assignments.

How to apply

– see below for our online application form

How you apply depends on whether you volunteer in your own country, or overseas.

A Within your own country

If you live in a country with a National Organisation and want to volunteer there (eg if you live in Canada and want to volunteer with A Rocha Canada) contact your National Organisation and ask them for an application form.

B Overseas

If you want to volunteer in a country where you are not resident, fill in the on-line application form. This information will help us ensure you have an interesting experience, and that you can make a useful contribution to your chosen project.

The minimum age for overseas applicants is 18.

A Rocha teams do not have the resources to help with visa applications. Please only apply to volunteer in a country if you can obtain the necessary visa without assistance.

Other ways to help

There are other ways in which you can help A Rocha: by encouraging friends and contacts to become supporters; by fund-raising; by prayer; by getting involved with a local support group; by encouraging your church to become an A Rocha Supporting Church, or by encouraging your local natural history group to publicise and support A Rocha. If you would like resource materials or more information, please contact your national office. If there is not an office in your country, please contact A Rocha International.

Volunteers in France making nestboxes for Rollers