Hoja Nueva
Why choose Hoja Nueva?
Hoja Nueva is a strategic conservation organization confronting the multifaceted threats to the biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon. Our mission is to protect the Amazonian biodiversity in Madre de Dios, Peru by conserving intact ecosystems, confronting threats to wildlife, implementing biological research, and conducting environmental education. We preserve Amazonian ecosystems by protecting o...
Hoja Nueva is a strategic conservation organization confronting the multifaceted threats to the biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon. Our mission is to protect the Amazonian biodiversity in Madre de Dios, Peru by conserving intact ecosystems, confronting threats to wildlife, implementing biological research, and conducting environmental education. We preserve Amazonian ecosystems by protecting over 3,000 hectares of primary rainforest, combating wildlife trafficking, rescuing and rewilding key species, and running a first-of-its-kind ecological research station and education center. Hoja Nueva maintains its U.S. headquarters in Washington State with its field operations, rehabilitation facilities, and research center in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon. Through our Peru...
Hoja Nueva Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
An unforgettable experience
February 17, 2025by: Maria Helle - NorwayProgram: Amazon Rainforest Conservation Research InternshipIt has now been far too long since I finished my adventure at Hoja Nueva. Since then, not a single day goes by without me longing to go back, and I will probably always feel that way. The experience I’m left with I can describe as one of the most important in my life. I got to know myself better, the jungle, and not least the work that Hoja Nueva does. I will always have half of my heart in the Amazon. If you want to learn more about wildlife rehabilitation, the Amazon, want to contribute in some way, and/or just have an overwhelming desire to live among ants and green plants – I can truly recommend a visit to Hoja Nueva. I really hope we will meet again.

Immerse myself in the amazone
February 05, 2025by: Job van der Veldt - NetherlandsProgram: Amazon Rainforest Conservation Research InternshipSince i read the Jungle Book as a kid i've always been intrigued by the jungle. I did several trips here and there on the planet and always felt i need to go to the amazone. Well it took me a bit long but i finally did it due to the documentary "Wildcat". That's how i end up here. If you want a true amazone experience this is a great place. I very much enjoyed going in the jungle to seek out wildcamera's or doing other stuff, like making a trail. I absolutly cherish my morningwalks where i'd walk up and down the trail just tryin to find as much animals as i could. I've seen so much in only 3,5 week. There's lots of stuff to do as in work but i didn't feel like i ever was pushed to do too much. It is an adventure i always love having as one of my best memories, but don't underestimate how though it can be out there. For me in my 40's it took everything i got out me, but i'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

Completely opened my eyes to the world of field biology research
January 19, 2025by: Ben Barden - United KingdomProgram: Amazon Rainforest Conservation Research InternshipThis internship was one of the best things i have done in my life. It showed me the grit and skillset required to undertake frontline field research in this beautiful and biodiverse rainforest. The exposure to the natural world in the Amazon is in stark contrast to the high quality of the living areas and the company provided at Hoja Nueva. There are inevitably more risks and fewer amenities when conducting research in a hostile environment but the people at Hoja help you take it all in your stride. Their work in rehabilitation is amazing and the impact they have by involving local communities is huge. I hope to return here one day and would strongly recommend anyone thinking of interning to jump in.

Hoja Nueva Programs
Browse programs you might like
Immerse yourself in the Amazon with Hoja Nueva's ecological research internship. Join experts in studying the Las Piedras region, engaging in pro...
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Marvin Andreas Biedermann
Interviewed in 2024
Marvin Biedermann is a research coordinator at Hoja Nueva. His role focuses on teaching the interns about local biodiversity with a focus on wildlife ...

Marvin Andreas Biedermann
Interviewed in 2024
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I've been in the conservation industry for a bit now and when I saw the work they are doing at Hoja Nueva I couldn't resist. The opportunity to work in such an amazing place with a team doing some cool work to conserve the local wildlife of Madre de Dios was a no-brainer. The mixture of both rescue and research really enticed me to want to come and work for Hoja, not a lot of organisations can do both.

Samantha Zwicker
Interviewed in 2024
Samantha (MS, PhD), a tropical ecologist, wildlife rehabilitation specialist, and the founder and co-director of Hoja Nueva (est. 2015) is passionate ...

Samantha Zwicker
Interviewed in 2024
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I came to Peru as a student, eager to complete a master's thesis researching wild cats of the lowland Amazon. I stayed because I saw the need for conservation projects that addressed both knowledge and research gaps, as well as, the rampant wildlife trade. I founded Hoja Nueva in 2015—today and we are one of Latin America's leading grassroots conservation organizations! We were the first to rewild felines rescued from the pet trade in the region.

Holly Fortune
Participated in 2023
Holly is 22 and from a small seaside town in Scotland called North Berwick. Over the past four years, she studied for an undergraduate Zoology degree ...

Holly Fortune
Participated in 2023
I spent the majority of the four years of my undergraduate Zoology degree learning about animals through lectures and books. I knew that as soon as I graduated I wanted to travel to see and learn about wildlife first-hand.