Environmental Volunteering in Brazil, Ecological Sanctuary, Rio Grande do Norte

Environmental volunteering in this ecological Sanctuary will help to re-establish a part of the Atlantic Rainforest in the north east of Brazil, where it has been greatly destroyed by small scale agriculture. The volunteering work involves planting seeds and saplings, clearing paths and the formation and planting of a botanical garden of local flora.

At certain times of the year, it will be possible to volunteer for the vital work involved with the marking and protection of turtle nests.

There is a small resource centre at the Sanctuary which needs volunteer help to improve it. The botanical garden project is part of this initiative and volunteers with experience and/or interest in gardening can help improve visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the fragility of this environment.

COSTS

All our volunteer placements are tailor made.  Costs will vary according to the level of accommodation you require and your preferred length of placement.  As a guideline, our charges for a 4-week volunteer placement in the Sanctuary in the self catering house will start at £1,090.

Duration of Stay

Ideally a minimum of 4 weeks but volunteer placements can be designed for as little as 2 weeks up to 6 months.  You can combine this environmental volunteering placement with others that we have and we can discuss this option with you.

Accommodation

Environmental volunteers will live in a shared, self-catering house within the Sanctuary itself. The Sanctuary is located about a mile from the village which has all services and where volunteers can buy their food and other provisions. There are many restaurants in the village.

What is included

Our charges include accommdoation in the shared, self-catering house, transfers from the airport on your arrival in country, 2 day orientation course in Brazil including accommodation in Sao Paulo, pre-departure briefing in London, placement management and supervision, the services of our expert local Representative, local orientation, project contribution.

What is not Included

Airfares, travel costs between the city of arrival in Brazil and your placement, medical expenses, insurance, inoculations, visas, personal expenses such as meals, travel, phone calls, any meals, language tuition, TEFL tuition.

Support for the Project

BVB will ensure part of every volunteer's charge is spent in Brazil for the direct benefit of our projects there.  Again, the amount will vary according to each client's placement duration but will never be less than £200.  You will be fully involved in the decision on where your contribution will be spent on your return to UK.

The Ecological Sanctuary is beautifully situated on cliffs above a beach where turtles come to lay their eggs. The beach is accessed by a cliff path and steps which are fairly steep. Previous volunteers have loved the location of this placement where it is so easy to swim and enjoy this beautiful beach on a daily basis. There are stretches of wild coastline to the north and south of this placement waiting to be explored. Volunteers can hire cars or taxis or we can arrange trips to suit individual requirements. There is a good bus service into the village and to Natal. Volunteers can learn capoeira or take dancing lessons here. The night life is lively and varied. Surfing is a popular activity and lessons can be arranged.