Spain - Conservation Projects in the Valencia Region

The overall experience was amazing. The people involved in the project and the other volunteers were the most memorable part of the experience. As a volunteer, I observed the dedication of the field biologist, scientists, and researchers involved in the conservation project. It was rewarding to contribute, if only in a small way, to their efforts.

Seeing the sharks and whales daily was my highlight of the trip! The process to sign up was really smooth, and I had no issues. Upon arriving and the time during the project was really great. It was so great to see the wildlife and to be a part of a conservation movement (a genuine one too). It's really special to be working alongside the crew and the marine biologists!

My most memorable experiences were working with various people on different sites and learning about the wetlands of Valencia. The staff in Valencia are extremely kind and welcoming, from day one I always felt very secure. I got to experience their culture in a more up close manner because they were always were inviting and I think this kind of learning when going to a new country is very important.

In Valencia, I volunteered in maintaining wetlands renovated from rice fields and orange groves. I learned valuable conservation techniques, including water quality tests, experiments to see which mixture of wetland plants act as the best natural filter, cage construction to protect aquatic plants, migratory bird surveys, and the survey and removal of invasive species. In addition to the heaps of knowledge gained in wetland ecosystems and conservation techniques, it was a pleasure to interact on a daily basis with the passionate and friendly NGO and EU workers, and to learn so much about Spanish culture and language through them. Finally, I was grateful for the international volunteers like me from a diverse array of countries, with the same enthusiasm for the subject matter and also for exploring the lovely city! The program coordinator made sure that we had plenty of time to venture, and offered optional cultural activities during the evenings and weekends.