IPBio Amazon Biodiversity Research Assistant

I came to IPBio hoping to make a positive impact on local biodiversity and the surrounding community, but my expectations were exceeded in every possible way. It truly was a 10/10 experience! The work is easy enough to pick up quickly, but varied and interesting enough that it doesn't become repetitive or boring. Most importantly, you genuinely feel like you are making a difference, which sets it apart from other volunteer programs. Getting the opportunity to see amazing wildlife up close, including sloths, monkeys and caimans, while on the job makes the experience even more special. The volunteer house is lovely as well, especially the pool, and Alter do Chão and Santarém have so much to offer, meaning there is always something to explore during free time and weekends. The beach was my favorite place to be! On top of all that, the other volunteers were incredibly nice, the staff were always helpful, welcoming and supportive and best of all there is a cat. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better experience and would wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone looking for a meaningful, fun and rewarding time volunteering!

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My time in Brazil was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Living and working alongside the other volunteers made it so much more than just a trip. We spent so much time together, from working in the rainforest during the day to hanging out and getting to know each other in the evenings. I met some genuinely great people who I’ll remember for a long time. A big part of what made the experience so special was Imran. He is a genuinely great guy who made everyone feel welcome and looked after us throughout our time there. His passion for the work and the people around him really stood out, and he helped make the whole experience feel like a community rather than just a volunteer program. I loved being out in the Amazon, learning about the environment and getting involved in biodiversity research, species identification and restoration work. I came away with a much greater appreciation for the rainforest, but also some great memories and friendships that I’ll take with me. I would honestly recommend the experience to anyone who wants to do something completely different and genuinely memorable.

My first experience as a volunteer abroad and I precisely picked upbio up because they seemed serious committed and professional. I wasn't wrong! Their project is effective and they are making a difference. I'm glad I have been part of this for a while.

I highly recommend this program. The role of Amazon research assistant is very accessible to anyone interested in the natural world and provides valuable information on biodiversity to the scientific community which is essential to conservation. Imran, Marleen and Martha are incredible people, Well connected and appreciated by the local communities and you feel like you're having a positive impact. You live with other volunteers in a nice place with a pool, though be warned it is a bit far from town (45min walk) but you can ask the neighbour to taxi for a price. I made valuable connections with the other volunteers who kind of become your family for a time :) You get to see loads of animals and I've also seen the best sunset of my life in Alter do Chao from the beach over the massive river and enjoyed the Carimbo (local dance) parties that happen every Thursday.

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It was my first time in Brazil and first time volunteering. At IPbio I had many opportunities to see wildlife, which I have never seen before. There is a day and night difference between nature trips with “standard” tour guides (I have done it there too) and nature trips with professional biologists at IPbio. With IPbio staff one can see 10 times more wildlife, these folks know what they are doing My special thanks are to Imran Viroomal. He is a natural born manager (which is very rare find). Thanks to him all aspects of my stay there (from arrival to departure) were perfectly organized. In addition, Imran is very pleasant person, with good sense of humor and very easy to get along with. And he is absolutely dedicated to his job. Many cudos to him!

IPBio est le carrefour de la science, de la sensibilisation et de la culture. Nous avons pu participer à de nombreux inventaires, ce qui fait la force d'IPBio. Alter-do-Chao est un village aux plages et aux expériences inoubliables. Situé près de la forêt primaire de Flona il a énormément d'activités à faire. Alors un grand merci à IPBio amazone et toute son équipe d'ultra motivés et passionnés dans la conservation de la biodiversité.

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Staff are very well informed of the area, program, risks, events... and are keen for volunteers to be informed as well. Everyone recives a comprihensive introduction on arrival and questions are welcome. Volunteers do descover new species and distributions here, but don't let this fule your ego and encumbur your work. People come here to volunteer, not holiday. By prepared and willing to get your hands and cloths dirty. You will be in the forest most days and some nights planting trees and seed. Most your work will be collecting data of birds, arthropods, amphibians and birds and identifying species. Some prior knowlage of species taxonimy is recomended but not nessesary. A camera (to take clear enough photos to identify the animal is very usfull but also not a nessesity. This is the jungle, of course there are some risks. Take precautions staff inform you of and you'll be fine. No the Tarantulas are not 'out to get you'.

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I really enjoyed my time in the Amazon with IPBio. The work was varied, interesting and gave me the chance to learn a lot about biodiversity research in a real tropical fieldwork setting. I especially enjoyed the bird inventories, fish inventories, mushroom searches, night surveys and the chance to contribute to species records and data processing. The Amazon location is still developing, so sometimes the structure and working hours were more flexible than I expected, but the staff were supportive and the research itself was taken seriously. Overall, it was a unique and valuable experience where I learned a lot about fieldwork, Brazilian nature, teamwork and working in an international environment.

I had the best three months at IPBio! It's the best introduction to the Amazon one could ask for. You get to be immersed in the rainforest and surrounded by wildlife while also having the comforts most people are used too. We got to see the most amazing wildlife and meet the most amazing people! Leaving is by far the hardest part.

I had an incredible experience volunteering with IPBIO. The program was both engaging and genuinely enjoyable, with plenty of hands-on fieldwork surveying a diverse range of flora and fauna. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, creating a warm and sociable environment from the very start. What stood out most was how open they were to new ideas—volunteers were encouraged to share input and contribute meaningfully, which made the experience feel even more rewarding. Throughout the program, we encountered an amazing variety of wildlife and had countless memorable moments. It was an enriching and inspiring experience overall, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in conservation and field research.

My name is Simon, and I was a volunteer at IPbio in may/April 2026. I traveled to brazil during a gap year after high school, where I made time to follow this program for 8 weeks. I had an amazing experience with this program. The staff is incredibly kind and passionate about their work. The work was enjoyable and there was a large variety in the activities that we performed. All in all, this program left me with 8 weeks worth of amazing memories!

Volunteering with IPBio in the Brazilian Amazon was an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations. The program is extremely well organised, well explained and offers a wide range of biodiversity research activities, from bird inventories and habitat management to mushroom and arthropod surveys and night searches. I really appreciated being involved in both the fieldwork and the post-data process, as it made the work feel purposeful and helped me understand how our contributions fit into long-term conservation goals. One of the strengths of volunteering in the Amazon is how accessible everything is. Shops, restaurants, beaches and free-time activities are all close by, which gives volunteers a great balance between structured field days and independence outside of work. It also makes it easy to socialise, explore the area and feel part of the local community. The volunteer group dynamic was another highlight. Whether we were cooking together, exploring Alter do Chão, swimming in the rivers or spending evenings at local events, there was always a strong sense of connection and shared experience. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about conservation made the whole placement even more enjoyable. Overall, this program gave me practical field skills, unforgettable memories and a much deeper understanding of Amazonian biodiversity. I left feeling incredibly grateful for the experience and would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting meaningful conservation work in one of the most unique environments in the world

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I enjoyed learning about taxonomy, conservation, and science-based techniques for data collection. The field work was very immersive and focused on the actual conservation issues. The program is very well structured, and the repetition allows you to get comfortable with a wide variety of techniques.

My name is Mae and I am 23 years old. In February 2026, I had the privilege of volunteering with IPBio in Alter do Chão. Despite my initial hesitations, applying for this project turned out to be one of the best decisions. I learned so much about nature, about birds, and about myself. I developed a newfound fascination for birds and a deeper passion for protecting the environment, both of which I will carry with me long after returning home. I was fortunate to be part of the first group of the year, where everyone stayed for at least four weeks, which allowed us to truly get to know one another. The hardest part for me was definitely watching people leave. What I find so beautiful about IPBio is that everyone works toward a shared goal. The weekly presentations were a wonderful reminder of what we had collectively achieved, because it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when you are out in the field. I will forever be grateful for this experience and everyone who was part of it!

Here’s your revised version with a more general and positive tone: ⸻ I had a really great experience volunteering at IPBio and would highly recommend it. The fieldwork was interesting and engaging, and I especially enjoyed working alongside such a friendly and supportive team of coordinators and fellow volunteers. The small size of the organization creates a welcoming atmosphere where you feel heard and connected. There’s also enough free time to experience Brazilian culture, which made the overall stay even more rewarding. Overall, a very positive experience with a strong sense of community.

I volunteered for five weeks at IPBIO's Amazon program, as well as five weeks at IPBIO's Atlantic Forest program. Working with Imran and Marleen was really fun at the Amazon program, as was working with Vitor and other staff at the Atlantic forest. I especially enjoyed the bird inventory. There are also mushroom, arthropod, fish, and tree plantings/inventories, so really something for everyone!

The programme is well organised and the activities are explained in detail. The reserve staff were very helpful. We were able to meet people from the local community who are also integrated and involved in the project.

I was volunteer for a month, both as research assistent and as photographer/videographer. I loved my time there. Alter do Chao is a really nice city and the people are incredible. The people working for IPBIO are incredible as well, really nice and helpful. For me the only negative was that I expected to be fully in nature, and we are still somewhat in the city, making going into the rainforest more of a hassle. The thing is though that it was the people and the town that eventually made my time there so incredible. Everyone works hard and is there to help you. The house was very comfortable and the living cost quite cheap. If you go, give hugs and kisses to Nala (the cat that lives around the house) for me.

I volunteered with the IPBio Amazon program for three weeks, and I am truly grateful for this opportunity. It allowed me to experience firsthand what it means to collaborate on ecological projects that have a direct impact on ecosystem preservation and local communities. The staff were incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, always eager to share their passion and expertise with volunteers. Living in such a unique place as Alter do Chão made the experience even more enjoyable, offering a wide range of activities during time off, special shout-out to Carimbó!

I had a magical time volunteering for IPBio in the Amazon. I arrived as a photographer for the program and had plenty of opportunities to take control of my own creativity and work on my own projects, whilst also involving the other volunteers and staff who were more than happy to play a part. I've always had a passion for wildlife as well as photography, so combining the two was the perfect opportunity for me.

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