IPBio Amazon Biodiversity Research Assistant

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.

This is a highly engaging, hands-on field research programme, led by a team who are genuinely passionate about biodiversity and conservation. The staff are extremely dedicated to discovering species and often go above and beyond their scheduled tasks. It’s not unusual for meetings or transitions between activities to pause so that everyone can observe and document a cool sighting, like a new bird. This approach fosters an environment that encourages curiosity and scientific interest. One of the programme's best features is its variety of activities and field sites, which provide exposure to a wide range of ecosystems, species and research methods. Some monitoring tasks are repeated as part of standard data collection, which maintains a methodical approach to the work and helps to build reliable long-term datasets. The overall atmosphere is welcoming and positive, balancing focused fieldwork with moments of humour and casual interaction. Short breaks, including a swim in the river, help keep the team feeling refreshed during long days. Clear, respectful and fair communication makes it easy to understand what is expected and collaborate effectively. Overall, the programme successfully combines high-quality scientific work with a supportive and motivating team, making it a truly rewarding experience.