Description

Join this unique wildlife conservation program in the spectacular desert landscape of the Arava, Israel and help to re-populate the nature reserve with the species of animals mentioned in the Bible!

Located in the Arava valley, the mission of Wildlife Reserve is to establish reproduction groups for populations of wild animals that are mentioned in the Bible; but have disappeared from the landscape, as well as for other endangered desert animals. The reserve is dotted with Acacia trees and includes a variety of desert habitats: an Acacia forest, a salt marsh, and sand dunes. The reserve has three parts: a three-acre penned-in open area, where herds of herbivorous animals live in conditions similar to those in the wild; the Predators Centre, where reptiles, small desert animals, and large predators are on display; and the Desert Night Life Exhibition Hall, where night and day are reversed so that visitors to the reserve can observe nocturnal animals during their active hours.

GoEco volunteers will join the Wildlife Reserve staff with its on-going conservation and animal care work.

Highlights

During the project, volunteers will become an integral part of the staff at the Wildlife Reserve. Duties include:

* Preparing food and feeding animals
* Cleaning and maintaining reserve facilities
* Observations and data collection,
* Accompanying and assisting park rangers
* Constructing enrichment facilities
* During the summer long-term volunteers may be asked to lead short- term workcamps of 10 volunteers at the preserve.
* It's important to note that work tasks are likely to change and be unpredictable due to that dynamic nature of the reserve.

Qualifications

- Minimum age of 18 and maximum age of 40
- High level of independence
- Basic English
- Good physical fitness
- Motivation to work with animals
- Able to work in harsh desert climate
- Able to handle extreme heat from June - September
- Full travel and medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for more information

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

- Training: GoEco volunteer and travel orientation in Jerusalem
- Accommodation: Shared apartment on Kibbutz Grofit
- Food: Meals are self-catering (budget around USD50 per week)
- Training: Pre-departure assistance, local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18 years+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

GoEco - Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement

(1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.

Year Founded

2005