Description

The aim of this volunteering programme is to show how conservation and sustainable tourism can work together to benefit tourists, the locals and wildlife alike.

When you come to do voluntary work with us on Zakynthos, you will be part of a small team to research and record the affects of tourism on the local environment, provide information on the local flora and fauna to visitors, rescue injured animals and participate in beach and forest cleans. We are also building a turtle rescue and rehabilitation centre, the first and only of its kind on the island. Volunteers will be needed to help building works, and to assist in running the centre once open.

This warm and lush island is a haven for all sorts of wildlife, the forests a stopover for migrating birds, the beaches a favoured nesting destination of the Loggerhead sea turtle, and the home of over 6,000 species of rare and delicate flowers.

Highlights

* Having the opportunity to gain experience combining tourism and conservation issues, whilst supporting other NGOs
* The thrill of seeing Loggerhead sea turtles and hatchlings in their natural environment
* Getting a glimpse of the very shy and extremely endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)
* Experiencing Greek culture first hand on a beautifully verdant, picturesque island, and picking up some of the language
* Taking a great first step towards your career in practical conservation or simply making a lasting one-off contribution to the preservation of endangered species

Qualifications

No formal training is required. A manual drivers licence would come in very handy, and additional languages are particularly useful for communicating with tourists at the Information Centre.
Volunteers must be 18 and over and be relatively fit. Minimum participation is 2 weeks. Please contact us for more information.

Languages

• English
• Greek

Cost in US$:

740 *may change depending on exchange rates

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• Food
• Excursions
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* The accommodation is in a comfortable home with all amenities, shared bedrooms, Wi-Fi access, washing machine, and a car for use to get around the project areas.
* Food will be a mixture of self-catering and locally cooked food, with the occasional barbecue party thrown in, and volunteers will manage their own catering budget between themselves.
* Volunteers get a free day for every 10 worked. They are expected to work amongst themselves to keep the accommodation clean and do cooking duties if food isn't being cooked for them that day.
* Walking, swimming, horse riding and diving are all possible during the spring-summer-autumn months on Zakynthos. There will be plenty of time to relax on the beach and enjoy the local surroundings.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We host volunteers from all over the World, male and female of various ages from 18 to 74. The work can be hard but rewarding, with plenty of time to relax and the group get to enjoy a good off-duty social life.

Age Range

18 and over

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-4

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 weeks minimum

Earth, Sea & Sky's Mission Statement

Earth Sea & Sky is a Non-Governmental Organisation for Ionian nature conservation. We provide comprehensive information on wildlife and natural habitat management, and conduct Sea Turtle, Monk Seal and wildlife research and volunteer projects on the Greek Island of Zakynthos. Our principle objective is to protect the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the natural habitats of all wildlife contained within the National Marine Park. Our belief in 'conservation by education' means that we provide what is now the only Wildlife Information Centre on Zakynthos, at Gerakas Beach. We estimate that we have 40,000 visitors to the centre each summer, from all over the world. The Greek Ionian islands are made up a unique combination of forests, beaches, mountains and wildflower meadows, home to some of the rarest wildlife in Europe.

Year Founded

1999