IPBio- Biodiversity Research Institute

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.

My time at the Betary Reserve of IPBio was an unforgettable experience. I came here as a student to complete my bachelor's degree thesis and internship. Alongside helping with the eco-volunteering activities, I also worked on my own research project. The staff gave me great guidance for my project! As most of the staff have lived in Iporanga all their lives, they know so much about the Atlantic Rainforest. I learnt a lot from them! The reserve is located in a beautiful area with lots of amazing wildlife. It was such an amazing opportunity to help with research activities over here! I stayed in the volunteer house with the other volunteers and made friends for life. In our free time, we enjoyed lots of fun activities, such as visiting caves and waterfalls, swimming in the river or barbecuing with all the volunteers and staff. Iporanga, the closest town to the reserve, is a very safe and lovely place. The locals are really kind and very welcoming. I would definitely like to come back here in the future!

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.

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.

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'.

I had an amazing experience volunteering in the Atlantic Forest, thanks to the magnificent natural environment that surrounds the area, where conservation programs are developed to study the biodiversity, which is endless. The local team also played a key role in making this experience so rewarding. Before my arrival, they provided detailed information and support, and once I was there, they offered thorough training and guidance. They truly transmit a deep sense of connection with nature and responsibility for its preservation, valuable learnings that will stay with me forever. I found the experience so enriching that when I returned home and shared it with my friends and family, my sister immediately wanted to experience it herself. She didn't hesitate to follow in my footsteps and become part of this incredible project.

Last summer I was lucky enough to volunteer at IPBio Betary Reserve in Brazil, and I can say that it was an amazing experience. For a month, I was lucky enough to enjoy a very well-organized volunteer experience with very competent people. The centre’s managers are very friendly and flexible, and always ready to help in whatever way you need. I was able to share this experience with other wonderful volunteers from various countries. The atmosphere was very good and during our free time, especially on weekends, we could enjoy excursions and leisure activities in the region, which has very beautiful and interesting natural sites to visit. I definitely recommend to volunteer with this amazing NGO if you are looking to do some meaninful voluntary work in conservation field in Brazil! :D

Having the privilege of assisting at both the Atlantic and Amazon forests, getting to see the differences in biomes and wildlife, and directly contributing to science has been a dream come true. Despite growing up as a city kid with a fear of spiders, I learned to enjoy collecting them and other insects to help identify and add to the database. It also wasn’t easy removing invasive Napoleon plants, hundreds of them, yet even still watching the endangered juçara palm saplings fill the new spaces we cleared is a satisfaction that makes me ready to do it all again. Working with people all over the world, practicing portuguese to speak with locals, getting to see wildlife I’d only ever saw on nat geo tv, from dancing manakin birds, to various monkey species, to fishing up piranhas, having a tree frog try to kiss me (still scarred), waking up to tarantulas or wandering spiders in the house, and barbecues with staff, so many memories were made. Would love to come back again, especially to visit the future bases across the other important biomes in Brazil. Even if you don’t directly see the impact you make here, there is proof in the data that every volunteer counts, and this is one you don't want to miss!

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

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.

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.

Every activity was enjoyable, you almost forgot you were working! Truly will take this experience and hold it dear with me for the rest of my life. From the beginning to end, I felt like I was living out a dream. I hold a deep passion for the Amazon and being a part of its conservation was such a heart warming experience. From reforestation to inventories of mushrooms, birds, insects and fish, I participated in with enthusiasm. And the community is so lovely. I enjoyed meeting the locals, indulging in carimbo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and attempting to immerse myself to understand the beautiful language of Portuguese better. 10/10 experience.

What a wonderful time i had learning and meeting the team. Everyone was super welcoming knowledgeable and just all round great. Definitely wont forget my time here and what i learnt over the short time of my stay!

Volunteering as a 21 year old photographer from Belgium, was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to grow as a photographer while enjoying the beauty and spirit of the Amazon rainforest and the town Alter do Chao.

I didn’t like the Birdinventory at the reserve and at son Risal. Because there weren’t enough birds to see and the hole day felt kinda unsuccessful. But apart of this every invetory was diversified and interesting. I loved especially the Arthropods because we always found some new insects. I enjoyed the group work of two for some invetories ( mushrooms, frogs and trees) because it helped to get to know the other volunteers better.

Hey, I'm Cristina and after I discovered the IPBio program through https://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/ had an online interview with Imran, the manager of the Amazon program, who shared all the details about the volunteer opportunity I had chosen. What followed were five intense and unforgettable weeks, full of discoveries from the animal and plant world. I became part of the daily life of the community, explored Santarém and Alter do Chão (the “Caribbean Paradise”), and embraced the volunteer lifestyle—between bird, frog, and arthropod monitoring, relaxing by the pool, and witnessing for the first time the magic of bioluminescent mycelium and fluorescent spiders.o I also experienced the vibrant Sairé festival and the pure joy of dancing carimbó, a traditional rhythm, every Thursday night.k( I’m truly happy I chose IPBio—and grateful that they chose me too!

The experience with IPBio was amazing. It is a beautiful place where you can feel nature in its purest form. The field research activities have been very stimulating, encouraging you to focus on the environment, pay attention to small details and enjoy every minute. The way of working is very organised, which makes it easy and motivating, and the staff take care to teach and accompany each volunteer during their stay. On the other hand, the village and its surroundings offer many things to do. The local community is very friendly and it was fun to join their cultural events; they made me feel at home. There are also countless tours and activities to do on the weekends. It has been a very valuable experience that has undoubtedly helped me to get to know myself better and to know what I need in my life.

I am Jil , 19 years old . I was a volunteer for about 10 weeks at IPBio. Me and my partner did it in first way as a gap thing because we wanted to do something between finishing Highschool and starting university. For us it was clear that we needed to go to the Amazon. Through out our stay we learned so incredible much about biodiversity and how the life in the forest works. But this is way more then just biodiversity it’s about how to live with other person, how to interact with the locals and getting to know team dynamics . IPBio brought me out of my comfort zone. What I really liked was that you are getting easily a routine because of the week schedule but on the other hand you got enough free time to explore your surroundings by yourself. Working with locals / local communities gets you really in touch with their daily life and their culture. I loved the weekly presentations because their you could really see what your work effects and also the hole processes behind the scenes before something gets published. I hope this organization grows more and more so everybody can experience this way of nature and culture.

Hello, My name is Tom I am 19 years old and was a volunteer for 10 weeks in the Amazon. IPBio is a wonderful organisation. Wonderful experiences you can make, wonderful people/culture you get to know and a wonderful team you can become part of. I only met super friendly and welcoming people and a serios but also interesting work atmosphere. Trough weekly presentations and general updates you dont forget, what you are doing this work for and you get to know your part of a big work. It was the perfect organisation for my first volunteering and I would recommend IPBio to everyone who has interests in biologie, biodiversity or nature in generel

I'm Luca, I'm from Italy. I decided to join the volunteer program in IPBio because I really wanted to have a taste of the Amazon Forest, to know the biom and how it feels to live for a few weeks in the broadest tropical forest of the world. I wasn't disappointed. It was really an amazing experience, that made me grow in different ways. The volunteer house is not far from the city, so I had enough commodities. The activities during the program really allow to get closer to different aspects about biodiversity, so I had the opportunity to learn different skills. It is really good that I got to work in a team and get know a lot of people from all around the world. Getting to know the local community and to dive in the tradition of the people was incredible as well. You have to go and dance Carimbo! I am glad that I had this opportunity an I think that it is really nice for people that like nature conservation.

I stayed 11 weeks at IPBio in the Amazon and it was a great experience. The biodiversity is amazing, we saw so many different species, and every time we went into the forest there was something new to observe. The activities were varied, from species survey, to night walks. That made the work interesting and gave me the chance to try out different things. On top of that, meeting volunteers from all over the world was a real highlight. It created a great atmosphere, both for work and for daily life. Since the program is still quite new, I think the scientific side could be improved, with clearer protocols and more structured data collection. But even with that, I found the experience very valuable and definitely worth it. I’d recommend it to anyone curious about ecology or biology, or just looking to experience the Amazon in a hands-on way while meeting people from across the globe.

I volunteered for two months with IPBio for the Amazon Program. I thoroughly enjoyed not only learning about the biodiversity of the region in such depth during fieldwork, but properly experiencing the lifestyle and community in my off-time. I would recommend this to anyone interesting in contributing to a great cause but also keen to develop their skills and passion for biodiversity, ecology and environmental science. It's truly the perfect place to get some experience in these areas. This is the place for enthusiastic people not afraid to try new things. I also really loved meeting people from all over the world and doing group activities together in the afternoon and evenings. Such a unique experience, and sharing knowledge and life experiences with such incredible and driven individuals was life changing. Imran, Marleen and Martha run an amazing program here and I am so grateful for their efforts and dedication to make it what it is today. They were great at making me feel so welcomed, at home and comfortable right from the moment I arrived. Such a great team environment here which makes it so special.

Volunteering at IPBio was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. From day one, I felt welcomed by a dedicated and passionate team who truly care about conservation and community engagement. I had the opportunity to participate in biodiversity monitoring, including fungi and bird surveys, while also learning about the incredible ecosystems of the Amazon. What I valued most was the balance between scientific work, cultural exchange, and teamwork. Every day brought something new, whether it was exploring the forest, contributing to meaningful research, or sharing meals and laughs with fellow volunteers from around the world. The living environment was comfortable, and the staff were always supportive and ready to help. IPBio is not just a place to volunteer, it’s a place to grow, to connect with nature, and to leave knowing you’ve contributed to something bigger. I will always be grateful for this experience and the memories I made here.

My name is Chloe, I am from the USA, I turned 20 during my volunteer experience with IPbio. When I found this program, I had just left what I thought was my "dream school", but I turned out to hate. I returned home feeling lost and not sure what to do next. That's when I found IPbio. It might be the best thing that's ever happened to me. I spent April to the end of May in the Atlantic as an eco-volunteer and then June through July in the Amazon. Those 4 months helped to remind me who I am and what I am meant to be doing. I think I learned more about myself, the social and political state of the world, and of course, biodiversity during my time with IPbio than I have at any school. Living with people of all ages, from all different backgrounds, cultures, and countries, brought together by a shared passion for the environment, was incredible. The programs are different from each other in many ways, with the Atlantic feeling more established with infrastructure such as a laboratory, visitor center, aquarium, and greenhouse. They also have a team of amazingly knowledgeable local biologists! In contrast, the Amazon has none of the infrastructure and fewer staff (for now), but you really feel as if you are on the frontier of scientific discovery, frequently finding species that haven't been recorded yet on inventories (and could even be new to science!). Overall, I couldn't recommend this program more. The staff are great and the mission of IPbio is sound and more critical than ever. Every day felt like watching a nature documentary, but there's no screen infront of you and where you would expect David Attenborough's voice, there's only the sound of the forest and your own awed gasp as a toucan flies overhead or a massive anaconda silthers past, or a mushrooms glows brilliantly before your eyes in the dark night, or....

My name is Chloe, I am from the USA, I turned 20 during my volunteer experience with IPbio. When I found this program, I had just left what I thought was my "dream school", but I turned out to hate. I returned home feeling lost and not sure what to do next. That's when I found IPbio. It might be the best thing that's ever happened to me. I spent April to the end of May in the Atlantic as an eco-volunteer and then June through July in the Amazon. Those 4 months helped to remind me who I am and what I am meant to be doing. I think I learned more about myself, the social and political state of the world, and of course, biodiversity during my time with IPbio than I have at any school. Living with people of all ages, from all different backgrounds, cultures, and countries, brought together by a shared passion for the environment, was incredible. The programs are different from each other in many ways, with the Atlantic feeling more established with infrastructure such as a laboratory, visitor center, aquarium, and greenhouse. They also have a team of amazingly knowledgeable local biologists! In contrast, the Amazon has none of the infrastructure and fewer staff (for now), but you really feel as if you are on the frontier of scientific discovery, frequently finding species that haven't been recorded yet on inventories (and could even be new to science!). Overall, I couldn't recommend this program more. The staff are great and the mission of IPbio is sound and more critical than ever. Every day felt like watching a nature documentary, but there's no screen infront of you and where you would expect David Attenborough's voice, there's only the sound of the forest and your own awed gasp as a toucan flies overhead or a massive anaconda silthers past, or a mushrooms glows brilliantly before your eyes in the dark night, or....

Volunteering with IPBio in the Amazon was both a deeply meaningful and educational experience. I had the chance to take part in impactful fieldwork — from reforestation and tree planting to biodiversity monitoring and species inventory. Knowing that each task contributed to the protection of such a unique ecosystem made the experience feel especially meaningful. Beyond the work itself, what truly made this experience unforgettable was the people. The team at IPBio is warm, funny, and always willing to help and teach. Their passion is contagious, and their support made every day on-site both productive and enjoyable. I met incredible individuals from all over the world — coworkers who quickly became friends. I’m proud to have contributed to IPBio’s essential mission, proud to have helped preserve the Amazon, and proud to have been part of an organization whose work truly matters.

I decided to go to Brazil for a million reasons. What I found was exactly what I wanted, a month of field work, friendship, fun, nature, music, dance, brasiliano vibes and extraordinary landscapes. Even though I am 34 years old and I thought before leaving that I would be the oldest and that it would be difficult to share a room with other younger guys. On this point I have to change my mind, the programme is made for everyone, universal, worked, students, young, not so young. There is space for every personal contribution. I had a fantastic month, I would do it again a million times!

After graduating from Biology around a year ago it was cool to be back out in the field. It was clear the guys had really prepared for all of the volunteer days and had thought a lot about our experience at the house and in our free time too. Over my month at Alter do chao, the structure of the programme ensures you not only start to understand the environments you are in when doing field research but allows you to explore the local region of Alter do chao in your free time. Imran, Marleen, and Martha couldn’t have been more helpful. They helped the group and provided quick solutions to any problems we encountered. I made great friends during my time and it was truly a month to remember.

This program is so amazing. The experience was once in a lifetime. I felt like a kid again hunting mushrooms, fluorescent arthropods, insects and amphibians. Although the field research was fun, the director presented all of our findings to us in a way that helped us to understand how our inventories were actually making a significant contribution to an importante body of scientific work. Apply to this program. It's life changing.

IPBio volunteer program is a very nice option if you want to live the deep amazon experience, you will be in touch with nature, be able to study the different species of animals, insects, funghi and plants while you are enjoying a good moment. And of course, to contribute to the research that will facilitate a better understanding and taking care of the amazonian environment.

My experience at IPBio was absolutely wonderful and enriching. The program was very well-organized, from the detailed pre-arrival information to the orientation and support upon arrival. The diverse range of activities, including bird and fish inventories, reforestation, and searching for bioluminescent organisms, allowed me to gain hands-on experience and learn so much about the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon. The staff was extremely supportive, open to feedback, and fostered a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. The coordinators were approachable and easy to connect with, which made working together enjoyable. On weekends, we occasionally went out together, for example to eat, which added a nice social aspect to the experience. One of the highlights was exploring partially new areas with exceptional biodiversity. I had the chance to see sloths, monkeys, a wide variety of birds, enormous trees, and so much more. The accommodation was comfortable, and its location near Alter do Chão provided a unique opportunity to connect with the local culture while enjoying the beauty of the Amazon River. What made the experience even more meaningful was the opportunity to actively contribute to environmental protection. Whether through reforestation projects or the general mission of the volunteer program, I felt that my work was part of a broader effort to preserve the rainforest and support sustainable practices. Overall, this program is perfect for anyone passionate about biodiversity and looking for a meaningful volunteer experience that also makes a real difference for the environment.

During my 3 week stay completing the biodiversity research volunteer program I have had the opportunity to learn about how humans impact the environment and how we can all be more considerate and make better choices for the environment. The experiences have been well lead and the program leads were really passionate.

This wasy first volunteering experience abroad and I truly enjoyed it, especially the highest level of organization and communication, engagement of volunteers to the aspects of IPbio activities and diversity of tasks and program, allowing you to see a lot of species of birds, some mammals, mushrooms, amphibians, fishes

It is a great volunteering program for who loves outdoor activities! I would really recommend it if you desire to live an experience of real contact with nature. The Amazon forest deserve to be protected!

As a first time overseas volunteer, let alone a wildlife researcher, I found this program an awesome experience on so many levels. The staff very friendly, genuine and supportive, the procedures allowed a novice like me to be able to understand not only how to do things but why we were doing it and had so much fun undertaking the research work. The staff were always happy to hear any observations and assistance in how to streamline / improve the procedures. I got to experience so many community-based initiatives such as reforestation, seed and sapling planting supporting local schools and being part of local religious celebrations. These activities highlighted how high regard the group had in the local community and the conformation of the difference that we were making. I found the whole experience very humbling, knowing that the work and my actions were making a difference. Avoiding cliches but I have returned a different man, inspired and motivated to help out not only this group, by undertaking some project work that I can do from home but to reach out to NGO's around the world offering assistance. It gave me the jumpstart I needed to get me out of my rut and help me to re-discover my passion for nature and helping the community. I got to meet some beautiful, genuine, humble and dedicated people to the cause, which I now have the privilege to call friends. The program also allowed me enough free time to undertake some travel seeing other parts of Brazil during my free time which was awesome.

I had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge regarding the research and conservation methods for different aspects of nature. The work was harder some days than others, but super rewarding. The staff was very kind, knowledgeable, and welcoming. We had the opportunity to interact with the local community which deepened my appreciation for their culture and the work that IPBio is doing. Lastly, the town is beautiful and offers a variety of things to do from the beach, restaurants, dancing, different tours, and more. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in nature or conservation.

Hello, I am an engineering student specializing in agronomy, environmental science, and agri-food. I completed a 2-month internship at IPBio, and it has been the best internship I have had so far. Both the setting, which is exceptional, and the diverse and interesting missions made it an outstanding experience. There is something for everyone. Regarding the staff, they were excellent, and everyone was very kind and attentive. What I enjoyed the most were the reforestation days we participated in, as they allowed us to contribute directly to environmental conservation and combat the massive deforestation of the Amazon.

I truly enjoyed my time working for IPBIO. As a biology student experiencing the Amazon wildlife firsthand was an unforgettable experience. The program combines so much diversity in activity types and locations for biodiversity research. Coordinators are responsible and open - help is available at any moment, that is why I felt very safe going to a remote area in a new country. The housing has all utilities you can think of. Group dynamics is amazing, it is easy to connect with other volunteers and coordinators due to a welcoming and positive environment. The nature can not be fully described in words, but the diversity of species you see during work and free time is breathtaking!

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life so far. Alter do chao is so beautiful the location you are in is amazing many activities to do many necessities near by and so many great people. It’s truly amazing, irman and Marleen the people that run this organization are such amazing people they are so nice and so helpful with anything you need they truly are friends for life. The other volunteers are also so amazing you meet so many cool people that all have the same interests it’s truly amazing. The living quarters are amazing I couldn’t ask for more, you have an amazing pool with a big kitchen and the rooms are nice and cold with good beds it’s great. This was truly one of the best experiences ever and I recommend it to everyone. Definitely will do again!!!

I am an undergraduate biology student. During my 7 weeks at IPBio, I witnessed a lot of biodiversity in the Amazon forest. The programme itself is well organised and executed, with the volunteer coordinators Imran and Marleen being very responsive, supportive, and instructive. The only drawback was that the location of the programme is in close proximity to human settlements, which restricts the extent of biodiversity present. However, this is balanced out by the close proximity to food shops, cultural immersion, and social activities.

We were well looked after by the coordinators and had a really genuine experience of Brazil. It was a really good chance to help out the organisation, learn loads about biodiversity research, and see the animals of the Amazon.

Joining the IPbio Amazon program was an amazing experience, the volunteer program is full of discovery, you really join a scientific program who matters even if you don’t have a lot of knowledge. The volunteer house is perfect and you have time to discover the amazing town of alter do chao during the free time. The two responsible there are amazing person who loves to share and are lovely persons.

I chose this program to fulfill an internship requirement for my degree program but the IPBio Amazon volunteer program went above and beyond my expectations. Not only did I have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work everyday either the field or in the local community in Alter do Chao but I got to work alongside brilliant and passionate volunteers and staff. I will always look back on my 8 weeks in the Amazon fondly. If you are looking for an opportunity to participate in field research, explore amazing wildlife, and make great friends then this is the program for you!

Nice leaders, nice group - work at the brazilian Amazon. Half day working in form of bird- mushroom- and fishinventorys and a nightwalk one time a week. Sometimes cleaning the beach, making soil and planting at the beach. Everywhere it is possible to see nice animals... After the work free time to relax at the house with pool or walking to the beach or photographing... The weekend is free - free to make excursions, painting, to do things what you want or only relaxing.

My time spent working with IPBio was assuredly one of the best things I have been involved in to-date! Firstly, it is to be noted that the Amazon branch of the organisation is very new comparatively to the Atlantic Forest, meaning that the facilities are different but this is by no means a negative! The accommodation is lovely, being in a re-purposed AirBnB, complete with swimming pool, affectionate cat and the loveliest neighbours you could ever hope to meet. On top of that, the coordinators are fantastic, being helpful, friendly and informative regarding both work, down-time and anything in-between. Even though I had travelled for two days to the other side of the planet, I had never felt more at home. Meeting likeminded volunteers from across the globe was really one of the highlights of my time there; the others being the inventories: Traveling to different locations to photograph bird populations, discovering new species of mushrooms, exploring the night-time world of the rainforest searching for fluorescent creatures, catching a huge frog and naming it "Bruno"... the list goes on! Some of the best extra activities we did were visiting Santarem to see the pink dolphins and on our way back from the Bird Inventory at Canal do Jari, taking a tour to see sloths and squirrel monkeys. The beaches around Alter do Chao are also some of the nicest I've been to! The work IPBio does is essential, considering that the Amazon Rainforest is home to so many endemic species and yet so little is known about them. By conducting inventories over time, species can be monitored and the impact of threats can hopefully be identified to help conserve one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Overall, I think IPBio exceeded my expectations, acting as an educational and immensely fun project full of diverse work and wonderful people. While I was there a whole month, I feel that I could have honestly stayed there for longer, discovering new things and spending time in one of the most Amazing places I have ever been! I would highly recommend IPBio to friends, family and anyone looking to make a difference in the conservation of the natural world: I very much believe in the work they do and thoroughly appreciate just how accessible the project is to volunteers.

The IPBio program is an amazing, once in a life time experience! Being able to be apart of important research whilst making life long friends. I would definitely recommend doing this program if you get the chance. Be prepared for physical work, but also a lot of fun along the way!

I spent 3 months volunteering with IPBio on the Amazon project and absolutely loved it. Pre departure they were brilliant at communicating information, answering any questions and generally making you feel comfortable with what to expect. Once on site the IPBio team were professional, supportive and a lot of fun. I found the work to be interesting and varied with plenty of free time to explore the local area and culture. The other volunteers tended to be like-minded, hardworking and fun loving. There were usually 8 volunteers sharing a comfortable house and there was always something happening from Capoeira lessons with the neighbor to Carimbo Dancing with the locals and not forgetting the forest night searches and riverside BBQ’s! I truly can’t recommend this company and the Amazon Biodiversity Research experience enough.

This was the best experience I could have asked for. The team are super responsive and organised before you arrive. The accommodation is great and you only pay a small price for a great place to stay. The amount of time per day that is normally from 8-1ish which works well in the heat and weekends off. Each day the team does different data collection/inventories (fish, trees, mushrooms, reforestation, and birds) as well as one night search per week. The people I met there were open, kind, hard working people with great personalities. The volunteer organiser is really kind and sometimes arranges BBQs or social activities. It's super easy to explore the surrounding area by yourself of booking tours into the forest. I had moments in this programme that will last me a lifetime. Like finding bioluminescence on a night search, snorkelling through the small crystal clear streams of the Amazon, dancing with the other volunteers at the local Carimbo. This is one of the most transparent, well organised and dedicated organisations I have come across.

22 year old French student, I was looking for a field experience as part of my studies in tropical forest ecology, and I first chose to apply for the IPBio Amazonie program due to its reasonable cost and the diversity of activities proposed. I stayed for almost 2 months and I can say that all my expectations were fully satisfied! The diversity of the inventories carried out will enable people with or without a scientific background to appreciate the beauty of the flora and fauna, and to learn about them. I'm still enchanted by the beauty of the region, which is certainly one of the most beautiful places on earth and offers plenty to discover during the weekends, as well as by the local culture, which will give you a friendly welcome. It was also an opportunity to meet other volunteers from other countries and with different backgrounds: amazing encounters! In definitive, it was the ideal volunteer program for learning more about the Amazon ecosystem, doing useful and rewarding work with passionate people.

I had a fantastic time volunteering with IPBio. We did such a wide variety of work from reforestation to examining fish and each activity was enjoyable. There is also something special about having the chance to work and integrate with the locals in order to create a more sustainable community and help them in the future, which is something that IPBio has executed well. Beyond this, the excursions and the fun activities we got to do further added to my time working with IPBio. I loved going to carimbo every week, having BBQs with the team and exploring the beautiful local area. Alter Do Chao is a gorgeous town with the most friendly people and I honestly want to move there now. I cannot recommend this programme enough.

I'm a 19 years old girl from Sweden. After graduation I wanted to do a meaningful volunteer program and something that could be helpful for my future work area. At IPbio we got pick up from the airport at all time. Staff was helpful and nice. The living accommodation was comfortable and the neighbours offered safe taxi transportations and other freetime activities. I liked that at IPbio we got to experience a lot of different things, the activities were for example fish inventory, bird inventory or planting trees on an island. Social Impact (5) Safety (4) Support (5) Free Time Activities (5) Value (5)

My one month volunteering in The Amazon Rainforest was absolutely incredible, I really can't recommend it enough. Imi and Marleen, our coordinators were so welcoming when I first arrived and the other volunteers ended up becoming fast friends that I felt so at home there. The work can be challenging in the heat, you are sweating 24/7, but you know you are making a positive impact and it feels very rewarding. Every day is different ranging from measuring and planting trees to identifying fish, frogs, birds, and mushrooms. The volunteer lodge is beautiful, (you feel like you are on holiday!!) the locals are so kind, the neighbours are the best and the food is delicious. I'm now solo travelling around South America and EVERY time someone asks me what the highlight of my trip has been so far, I always say volunteering in Alter do Chao. I will definitely be coming back.

I spent a month volunteering with IPBio in the Amazon rainforest whilst on a career break. I joined while the program was still relatively new; having volunteered in conservation before, I wanted to participate in a program at an earlier stage of development. On the whole, the program is well-organised and it has a lot of variety, with different themes for each day - trees, fish, mushrooms, amphibians and birds. There is also a day dedicated to reforestation activities (e.g. potting seedlings, planting trees) - I always enjoyed these as you could feel an immediate sense of your contribution. The activities rotate between locations every week so no two weeks are the same either. Whilst I liked the breadth of the program, this does come with one drawback - you gain surface-level familiarity in each area but never develop any deeper understanding. Some people may find this lack of depth unsatisfying. Currently there are no specialist staff on base so opportunities to nerd out on particular areas are limited e.g. you're not going to have an in-depth discussion about frogs with a herpetologist. However, this may change in future as the program develops. Working hours are generally 8am-1pm so there is a lot of downtime. As mentioned by other reviewers, there is a wide range of extracurricular activities available and I have lots of fond memories of capoeira lessons, carimbo nights and weekend tours. Pros - Immersion in local community and culture, opportunity to learn and practise Portuguese - Lots of variety in the program - good if you want to try a bunch of different things - Friendly and welcoming staff, volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and interest areas Cons - There are no specialist experts on base so opportunities to have in-depth discussions and build on your knowledge are limited - this might change in future though - Due to inventories being in the early stages, there is a heavy focus on photography so if you don't have a good camera it can feel harder to make a meaningful contribution

I spent seven weeks volunteering with IPBio in the Amazon and was extremely sad to leave. My primary reasons for choosing the program were to experience conservation work in a different country and to get the opportunity to see some of the Amazon's wildlife (insects and arachnids included) - and see wildlife I did! Almost every day brought a new creature of some kind, from birds and monkeys to spiders and scorpions. The program's location was also a massive plus - the town of Alter do Chão is amazing, with the best parts being the gorgeous white sand beaches and the weekly carimbó nights (which are ridiculously fun and attended by people of all ages). A fantastic experience overall!

I had the best 5 weeks of my life volunteering in the Amazon rainforest. The whole time I was there I was like “I can’t believe I’m in the Amazon” surrounded by such beautiful scenery and amazing biodiversity. I was a bit nervous when I first arrived, but everyone was so lovely and welcoming. The staff were amazing and so enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Each day was an exciting adventure not knowing what cool animals you’d see that day. Seeing a potoo for the first time was mind blowing!!! I really liked that each day was different, dedicated to a different project. One of the most memorable for me was searching for bioiluminscent species at night. It was magical -being in complete darkness listening to the sounds of the rainforest and staring at the clear night sky. The work to life balance is great. There is plenty of time to relax and explore around Alter do Chão or chill at the beach at the weekends as well a chance to engage with the culture. I really looked forward to the Carimbó dance in town every Thursday night. It was a truly fulfilling experience and one I will never forget. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer. I met some amazing people, saw some really cool wildlife and stunning landscapes. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever and would certainly recommend it to anyone if they have the chance.

I volunteered with the Amazon programme and I couldn't recommend it more. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The coordinators are excited about the work you do and it's very contagious. The work can be tiring due to the heat sometimes so if you are someone who would identify as lazy I wouldn't recommend this. I personally really enjoyed the work, we do half days and we have plenty of free time, the house is gorgeous and it feels like you are on holiday - you really can't complain. Everyone was so positive and supportive, I felt very welcomed. The people in Brazil are super friendly and I felt safe there. The area is gorgeous too, the town is great and there is so much to see and do out of work hours. I didn’t expect it, and I was so pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed meeting new friends throughout my stay and seeing wildlife in its natural habitat out of sheer luck. Every day is a different adventure and completely unique to everyone.

Name: Laura Maisväli Volunteer role: Biodiversity research assistant Length of stay: 4 weeks Do you feel that volunteers receive sufficient orientation about our Institute and training before they begin work Yes Comment: The work itself isn’t that complicated, so a short presentation is enough. You mostly learn the details in the field anyway. Do you feel the staff was accepting, supportive and provided feedback about your work? Yes Comment: They were very helpful and were happy to answer any questions, even those that didn’t necessarily relate to the task at hand. What was your best experience while volunteering with us? Seeing a wild monkey for the first time was mind boggling. I believe my first words were: “Oh shit! There’s monkeys!” I was absolutely dumbfounded and flabbergasted. Grey river dolphins were my first marine mammals that I’ve seen. Night searches were my favourite. I have never done anything like it so it was always fun. Just standing there in the darkness. All the jungle noises and with the stars and occasionally a firefly being the only light source. Loved the tree frogs. Bird inventory was my next favourite, the sheer diversity of birds in the Amazon is wild. Sometimes I didn’t even have to go anywhere, there were toucans and motmots at the volunteer house. I feel like I got so much exposure therapy, I’m not really afraid of spiders like that anymore. By the end I was even able to boop a relatively medium sized spider at the volunteer house. The sheer curiosity just takes over at some point and you forget the fear. I even brought a dead spider home, for pinning. BULLET ANTS being like 3cm big???? What are the best strengths of the volunteer program? The logistics. We had a plan for every day and the file organising was also nice to see. Also the people. Imi, Marleen and Pascal were such a pleasure to work with. The fact that Marleen is able to say “Titi monkeys” and “anus” with a straight face truly shows her professionality. Loved the other volunteers as well. I liked that even though the age gap was sometimes 2x, it didn’t really matter since we’re all there for the same thing, with the same interests. What was your least enjoyable aspect of volunteering with us? Tree and mushroom inventory. I feel like I would've liked it more if I learned more about the specific species. Otherwise it’s just 20 different mushrooms that all look the same. I personally haven't studied plants and fungi that much yet either. If you could make any three changes to our volunteer program, what would they be? More theory. I would’ve wanted to learn more in depth at the species we were looking at and their ecological niches. b) More trail cameras! I loved looking through them! c) Overall, how do you rate our program? (1=terrible, 10=great) Number rating: 10 Any other questions/comments? I didn’t expect it to be that much of a life changing experience. This will not be my last time in the Amazon.

My 12-week volunteering experience with IPBio in Alter do Chao was incredible. Each day involved diverse tasks vital for Amazon rainforest conservation, including tree phenology and measurements, bioluminescence, fluorescence, reforestation, fish, mushrooms, frogs, and bird inventories. Despite some challenging days in the Amazonian heat (you will be sweating 24/7!), our efforts felt significant to preserve the rainforest, especially in the face of climate change. There is a sense of camaraderie among the volunteers and staff, and every new finding in the field is celebrated. The town of Alter do Chão, nestled in the Amazon and along the Tapajos river, offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a welcoming community. The town's culture, cuisine, and the Carimbo dance every Thursday night add to its charm, and it will always have a special place in my heart. Although the program is conducted in English, having a basic understanding of Portuguese is beneficial for interactions in town and tours around the region. The staff is dedicated and attentive to all volunteers and any feedback that they have during their time at IPBio. This is a perfect place if you love nature and wildlife and want to make a conservation impact!

I’m Jørgen. 24 years old from Norway. After graduating in environmental sciences, I wanted to experience a hands-on sustainability related project in the rainforest. I choose IPBio because of the nice location and the interesting work description. The program does not disappoint! Every day is an amazing new experience, whether it is seeing monkeys jumping around in the canopy, snorkelling in a muddy stream to see amazing fish, planting a tree on the beach, or going to the local Thursday dance night in the town. I would not be afraid to recommend this program to my friends, acquaintances, or even YOU!

Wonderful scenery. So kind people. Nice culture. Amazing wild life. You will make unforgettable memories here. You may not want to live there forever, but at the same time you may not want to leave. Thanks for the valuable experience.

I will not lie, the work can be physically difficult or mentally tedious. However, the emotional reward you receive after the job is complete makes it all worth it. Additionally, the beautiful location, the amazing wildlife, and the impressive work-life balance that IPBio has managed to achieve makes the work sustainable. Ultimately, volunteering at IPBio as an Amazon Biodiversity Research Assistant was one of the most emotionally fulfilling experiences of my life

This was my first time volunteering abroad and it has encouraged me to continue. If you’re interested in finding new species and seeing one of the most beautiful places in the Amazon while helping to contribute to the research conducted around it. The organisers are generally very friendly and approachable if you have any issues and they know their stuff!

I spent almost 6 months volunteering here and would definitely say it’s one of the best places to volunteer over the world! The programs here for eco volunteer are so diverse that you get to do different things everyday: trees, fish, frogs and mushrooms etc…a very enjoyable and unforgettable experience for sure!!

Oii, I´m not a man of great words, but able to capture my surroundings with my camera. Observe the world with an open mind and some patience. Spending 3 months in the beautiful and stunning Atlantic Forest at IPBio Reserva Betary as a volunteer was like this: check my YouTube playlist and my travel website Cheers Thomas

Hiya, I´m not a man of great words, but able to capture my surroundings with my camera. That´s why I don´t have to much to say, but more to show: Check out my personal travel related website for the images I took while spending 3 months in the beautiful and stunning Atlantic Forest at IPBio Reserva Betary as a volunteer and check my YouTube playlist „IPBio“ to see what it is like to volunteer at IPBio and what you can expect to see, if you observe the world with an open mind, a bit of luck and some patience. Cheers Thomas

The experience I had during my 3 weeks at Ipbio was incredible. They were extremely helpful in pre-planning, coordinating your travel to the reserve and all of the trips to town for groceries. During my stay they improved the internet speed and added fiber optic internet so there was no disconnect if you didn't want to. The volunteer house was comfortable and they provided everything they said they would and some. The staff are all very friendly and will get you involved if there are monkeys/toucans/anything of interest that you should check out! The data collection days are all super fun! My favorite was the mushroom day and river inventory. The mushroom day was fun because of the crazy variety of mushrooms you find every week! The river day was fun too because the water is cool and refreshing to work in. There are so many fun things to do around the reserve during my time the parks had just opened up from COVID restrictions and I highly recommend going to PETAR park nearby. I commend Ipbio for their safety practices during COVID and although I was vaccinated on my visit I still was happy to follow all guidelines and rules which were clearly explained to us. The reserve is spectacular I'll never forget the birds and animals I saw there and the things I learned about how special and endangered the Atlantic Forrest is. Thank you Ipbio for an amazing time, I look forward to returning!

I had the pleasure to volunteer at the reserve for 8 weeks and it was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it for people who are interested in ecology and would like to get more hands-on work in gathering data. I'd also like to add that you do not need to have prior education as the reserve will teach you. Workdays are Mon-Fri with some evening night searches. The available weekends were great as there are many opportunities available. The town is absolutely beautiful and the workers are the sweetest. I definitely plan on returning!

IPBio is an oasis of rainforest among the ever shrinking Atlantic forest. The people working there truly have a passion for nature, conservation, and community. They do everything they possibly can to ensure your stay is enjoyable, safe and remains focused on these passions. From glowing mushrooms, to monkeys, fish, frogs, and rehabilitating birds and coatis, IPBio has something for everyone in the realm of conservation. Even all of your food scraps are converted into fertilizer for the gardens, from which you can eat fresh lettuce, peppers and pumpkins. IPBio is a truly magical place. During my three month stay, I discovered a new species of Cordyceps mushroom and photographed a novel species of robber fly, among many other wonderful specimens of the wildlife there. The friendships you make here will last a lifetime, maybe more, and the place will draw you back for repeated visits to one of the most amazing places on Earth. Iporanga.

IPbio is a wonderful place for everyone who loves nature and adventure. The staff is very welcoming and attentive and everything is super well organised. They gave me all the info I needed to prepare and enjoy my stay as much as I could. The volunteer house was very comfortable and has good facilities. The area is truly breathtaking. Everyday was a new adventure and saw lots of wildlife and stunning views. The projects were very interesting and diverse. In the weekends we visited caves, waterfalls, did Boya cross and trips to the beach at Canenaia. At the end of the program a presentation was held of all the data that was collected. It felt very fulfilling being able to contribute to the scientific research on the biodiversity and ecology of the flora and fauna of one of the most endangered rain forests in the world. The interesting work, beautiful location, comfortable house, fun weekend activities and sincere warmth and kindness of the staff was a perfect combination that will assure you have an amazing time at IPbio! I will definitely come back some day, looking forward to it already..

My time at the reserve was amazing. The staff were super friendly and receptive and very supportive of my work. The nature is breathtakingly beautiful and I had the opportunity to see a lot different species. Seeing the glowing mushrooms is truly a one of a kind experience. The program allows for artist to participate in eco-volunteering and was totally flexible so that I could get the best out of my time there. Recommend it!

A really organised and hands on volunteer experience where they give you all the advice and teaching necessary whilst still allowing you the freedom of independent research. I learnt more about ecology in 3 months that school could teach be in 3 years. Just brilliant!

I am a recent college graduate from the United States and spent three months volunteering with IPBio. During my time at Reserva Betary, I worked closely with the staff to create a new project for the volunteer program, in collaboration with a professor from Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Creating a new project gave me an inside look at all the effort and organization that is poured into each research project; the projects at IPBio are engaging and interesting with real world implications. I highly recommend volunteering with IPBio for anyone who has an interest in the natural world. The Atlantic Forest is an incredibly underrated and diverse ecosystem where you are guaranteed to see amazing flora and fauna. During my stay there, I saw monkeys, toucans, and several species of beautiful tanagers. The atmosphere the program cultivates is one of friendliness and comradery. Our weekends were usually filled with floating down the river, visiting caves, or taking a trip to Cananeia, a beautiful island off the coast. Volunteering with IPBio was an incredible experience in every way from the ecology to the staff to the fellow volunteers!

I could not be more pleased with my stay at IPBio. It was by far the best decision I made after finishing my environmental degree. I was able to get exceptional experience for grad school and had a blast every day. Everyone who works there you will find to be incredibly helpful and fun to hang around. There are all kinds of programs in the science field. I had the role of bioluminescent mushroom researcher. I got to go out on hikes looking for new species of these mushrooms as well as work in a lab trying to cultivate them. I loved my job and being able to learn from the staff. My job was like a puzzle. I look at all the information I can on growing mushrooms and then look at all the past projects that have been done at IPBio. I needed to figure out a way to get some of these mushrooms to grow by inventing a new experiment. It was also amazing to learn how to photograph the bioluminescence in the dark room. My fruiting box with Mycena lucentipes logs in it ended up fruiting which was really exciting. My job gave me enough time in the lab for good experience but also brought me in the field which is so much fun. Imran was the biggest help from the day of my interview until I got home safe and sound. The staff all have expertise in different fields making them excellent resources for different things. The place where I stayed was clean and even had some private rooms. I was doing the mushroom researching for three months and had a room all to myself. However, the entire volunteer house really was like a hotel clean and comfy. Outside of work hours, I got to explore the cave capital of Brazil and even see every cave in the guidebook. Imran helps set up these guided tours for outside of work time spent as well. These were incredible experiences. Recalling all of the time spent working at IPBio really makes me miss that place. I will have to go back because it really was a perfect of a trip.

My time in Brazil was incredible, and I already want to go back. Situated in the Atlantic Forest, the Reserve was the most beautiful place I have ever lived. With vegetation everywhere, birds flying overhead all day long, and a river right behind the house to swim in after work, the living situation was ideal. The house had a great kitchen and even had AC in each room. I loved the work I did with amphibians, and the research aspect was perfect for me. It was even better, however, that we got to fully immerse in amphibians twice a week, but also help on every single other project they has going on. We did something different each day of the week, which kept it interesting and fun-and allowed me to get great experience in all sorts of biological work! One of the best parts of the program, however, were the activities we did in our free time. The volunteer coordinator made these particularly easy to coordinate too. If we told him the week before we wanted to do something, he would arrange guides and transportation for us. We got to explore caves, go to the beach, float down the river on tubes, see waterfalls, and really explore the region. I would highly recommend this program and hope I can go back one day!

I recently spent 2-weeks volunteering at IPBio as an Eco-Volunteer and also helping out on the Amphibian Research project. There is potentially no such thing as a more beautiful place to volunteer and carry out research as Reserva Betary. The scenery and wildlife are stunning - I was particularly excited by all of the colourful hummingbirds that visit every day, without fail. I learnt a lot about the history of the area, the features and importance of the Atlantic Rainforest and what IPBio are studying to better understand the organisms that live there. Even though I was only there for a short space of time and for less than the 6-weeks I had planned (due to worries about getting home during COVID-19), I felt like I settled in quickly and soon became friendly with the volunteer coordinator (Imran - who always goes out of his way to help organise things for the volunteers), field coordinators and the other amazing volunteers. There really is a sense of community and it is also exciting to be working alongside local people who live in the neighbouring town, Iporanga. I would definitely recommend volunteering here if you are interested in carrying out ecological research on long-term, well-thought out studies and want to experience living amongst the rainforest. I would definitely consider going back to the reserve in future to experience more of what it has to offer and get to know the local area better!

I was an Eco-Volunteer at IPBio for 3 weeks. During my time as a volunteer, I participated in various ecological field research projects, learning how to take inventory of birds, mushrooms, and fish in their natural habitat, and monitor the health of a pond. Additionally, the organization of the Volunteer Program is fantastic. Imran, the volunteer coordinator, maintains excellent communication with the volunteers via email and WhatsApp (but note- he does not work on Saturday or Sunday), and holds meetings with us every morning. Furthermore, the volunteer house is very nice for the middle of a forest! It has a fully functioning stove, oven, and microwave, and enough pantry space for all volunteers. The first day, you will be introduced to the organization of IPBio, rules & safety, scheduling taxis, etc., as well as protocols for the volunteer work. I recommend two important things. First, get a plan on your mobile device that allows you to use WhatsApp, Messenger, and make calls without WiFi. While there is internet at the Reserve most of the time, it sometimes turns off randomly, which happened to me a day before I was meant to leave. Secondly, learn some Portuguese before you arrive. If you want to learn about the lives and points of view of locals, you cannot get by with just English. Since the Reserve is fairly far away (6km) away from town, our interaction with locals is unfortunately limited. But make sure to visit Iporanga on weekends and afternoons to talk with people, for example by going to a bar or gym with other volunteers. For me, since I am Catholic, I attended Mass in Iporanga (highly recommend to better understand local culture), which was a great way to meet locals.

I am a sixty year old retired wine merchant with no experience in a placement like this and certainly just distant scientific knowledge from my scooldays. Volunteering at IpBio was an amazing experience, the group I was with were understanding, informative, patient and most of all fun. The day to day projects were interesting and varied, who could not love paddling around in ponds and rivers in hot summer sun or tropical downpours? Another day would be looking for, photographing and then hopefully identifying various species of birdlife or sifting through foliage looking for mushroom species. During my stay I inflammed an old knee injury, so was unable to do the hikes, but was more than happy being left with the tasks of identifying wildlife filmed in camera traps or weeding the ponds in the greenhouse. The team at IpBio themselves were knowledgable and supportive and treated you as grown ups.

Working as an Eco Volunteer with IPBio and living on the reserve was a great experience. During my short stay I learned a lot about the Atlantic forest and its biodiversity by doing a variety of different jobs. I also got to meet many different people and learned about Brazilian culture by living with the other volunteers and going on the trips that are organized for the volunteers. The organization of the programme is incredible and the people on the staff are super helpful and kind. Personally, there is nothing I would criticize. I would definitely recommend this programme!

Imran does a great job communicating with all the volunteers before they arrive to the program to dismiss any doubts and possible fears of traveling to another country. The program structure is created to allow those staying just two weeks to experience every aspect of what IPBio is about. It was easy to connect with other volunteers and I had a great time!

I left my career as a Mechanical Engineer looking to connect with nature and travel. IPBio afforded me the opportunity to experience natural phenomena that exist in very few places on the earth! The work is meaningful, the people are fantastic, and the Atlantic Forest is truly a special place. I never once felt unsafe or bored. I would recommend this experience to anyone excited about protecting the preserving nature!

This never felt like a volunteer program. It felt like 2 months I had a new home surrounded by great people amazing opportunities and spectacular wildlife. The volunteer projects were never boring because the wildlife was constantly changing. Bioluminescent mushroom walks, stargazing, waterfall hikes, swimming in caves, bird watching, running into monkeys, glowing larvae, afternoon river swims, trail hikes, and dancing at festivals in town were experiences I cherish. I cant wait to go back and have more experiences of a lifetime!

My month at IPBio was incredible - the eco-volunteer role gives you the opportunity to get involved with many different projects so you'll never be bored! All of the staff were very friendly and welcoming and living in the volunteer house means all the volunteers become very close - it's great to spend time with people from all over the world. Weekends spent caving and tubing and swimming in the river were so much fun. I wish I could have spent 6 months more at the reserve! Coming to IPBio was definitely one of the best decisions I have made - I miss the jungle now I am back in rainy England.

I am a 22 year old from Canada with an Environmental Technician diploma and I volunteered at IPBio for 5 weeks. I was hoping to freshen up my field and lab skills and broaden my knowledge of the natural environment during my stay. The Betary reserve was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The volunteer coordinator, Imran, was extremely helpful and organized prior to my arrival and during my entire stay. He is very accommodating and resourceful. The volunteer program was methodical with set working hours and schedules which I enjoyed. We covered a wide range of study from species Identification of all sorts to measuring water parameters and working with the microscope in the lab. We really got down to the nitty gritty of sampling and were able to experience all of the joys of field work like wading through swamps and mud, bushwacking in heat or rain and being bitten by various insects. The biologists at the reserve are brilliant and insightful. They are wealths of knowledge with a love for Brazilian biodiversity so I suggest learning some Portuguese and picking their brains while you are there. All of the staff members are welcoming and friendly. The volunteer house was exceptionally tidy and well stocked. As far as free time activities, we may have been living in the middle of the jungle far away from any cities but there was still plenty to do. There were waterfalls, swimming and caving close to the reserve and we planned some weekend getaways to the coast and to Argentina. My favourite part of living on the reserve was taking night walks down to the aquarium and seeing all of the creatures that come out of the jungle at night that glow and make noise. Overall my experience with IPBio was wonderful and I highly recommend them. I enjoyed living in the thick of the jungle and getting to witness the local culture while enhancing my knowledge of the environment. For anyone planning to volunteer with them, I also recommend bringing quick dry clothing (there are no dryers for clothing), long socks to tuck your work pants into to avoid bug bites and ticks, and a headlamp with a red light setting for night walks. I will miss waking up to the sounds of the jungle and will cherish this experience for many years to come!

Hello future IPBio volunteers! I don't even know how to write a review for such a place because no amount words will ever do justice to it.This is the most meaningful and amazing experience i ever had. Generally speaking this program is completely organized from any aspect you can think of. You are provided with all the facilities you need and the staff is extremely professional and will attend to any need. I came as an Eco volunteer and a muralist and this is what i can say: I fell in love with the reserve. This place is everything you can imagine and so much more. From data collection to seeing animals you can see only in national geographic to wonderful and kindhearted people. This experience is truly magical. everything leaves you at an awe and even ,more than that it is a very deep experience. I personally felt a really strong connection to the reserve and the area in general.It took my breath a way and a piece of my soul as well. I found missing it the second i was leaving and was a few meters away... I don't just highly recommend this program i think that it should be on everyone's 'before i die bucket list '.

I needed to complete an internship for my M.Ed in environmental education and I came across IPBio during a search, because I knew that I wanted to volunteer abroad for my internship. I contacted several volunteer programs, but many of them seemed to me like a scam. With IPBio, however, it did not immediately seem to me like they were in it for my money, so I chose to run with it. And I'm so glad that I did. The Reserva Betary is truly a magical place, situated in the Atlantic Rainforest, 6km away from the nearest town. You are really living in it here! The nature here is unlike any other, and the work that we do here is actually meaningful and actually benefits the world of science. I actually had a problem where I needed some medical help, and the staff here was able to arrange a way for me to get to a medical professional who helped translate with me through the process. They were super helpful about it. I also felt extremely comfortable talking to the staff about other problems that I was having at home as well. This place truly makes you feel like you are part of a family, and it was so hard to leave. It was so hard for me to leave that I actually extended my stay here by a week! It's in a really safe area, and if you're nervous about traveling alone, the volunteer coordinator really goes above and beyond to help you with anything you might need. A few things I would recommend: - Learn some Portuguese - the staff at IPBio is Brazilian and many only speak Portuguese, and just trying a little bit really helps you connect with them on another level and they really appreciate it. And they will always help you if you're willing to ask! They will never laugh at you for getting something wrong or asking questions about Portuguese. There is nothing to be nervous about. Not only that, but in order to get into town, you pretty much either need to take a taxi, catch the one bus that goes by throughout the day, or take a hitchhike. Hitch-hiking into town is super safe, and if you're able to speak with the kind people that pick you up, there is so much more to learn outside of working on the reserve. - Bring stuff for alllllllll the weather. One day it will be 9C and the next day it will be 27C. Prepare yoself. - Forget about your fear of bugs. They're everywhere. You're in their territory. They're really cool. - There is wifi, but don't expect much. It's enough to speak with your family at home, but download your movies before you come here if that's important to you. You barely even need wifi, you're busy all day anyway! - Bring a little bit of extra money. I spent a little more than I thought I would - but not that much. I didn't expect to be going on trips every weekend, but it was so worth it and I'm glad that I did. - Don't be afraid! Brazil's got a reputation, but don't generalize. It's an amazing place.

IPBio is conveniently located near the Village of Iporanga, and still far enough to give a unique experience of living in the wilderness. Waking up to calls of birds and the flowing river is one of the perks living at the volunteer house. The staff is extremely helpful and cheerful at any time of the day. Work hard during the day to help preserve wilderness and relax in the clear and warm water of the river at the back of the house. Enjoy swimming with fish and have the experience of a natural spa. Worthwhile to stay at least 4-6 weeks to immerse yourself in the beauty of Atlantic forest and over weekends visit places like Iguazu falls or Cananeia to explore the beauty of Brazil. An experience full of such beautiful places and people is surely going to leave you in tears when you head back home.

My experience in Betary reserve was so amazing that I really want to come back as soon as possible. I stayed by the reserve just for two weeks, and I've to admit that it would be probably better to stay longer. I loved every type of activity that the volunteer program has proposed, especially birds and mammals monitoring. The things that I liked most in general were staying in the middle of nowhere, living so close to the forest (literally inside it), and seeing animals/plants that I've never seen before. The people living in Iporanga (the closest village to the reserve) were very king and gentle My only critique is about the organization of the volunteer program: there is no biologist following the program, and I think it's necessary

The IPBIO reserve is a great place to see incredible biodiversity and learn about various research projects conducted there. I highly recommend IPBIO for student volunteers. It is a very affordable program with a great staff and you will learn a lot.

IPBio is an awesome organization. In terms of communication, they do an awesome job considering the challenges of the jungle. In terms of organization, I found the work comfortably structured but also open ended as I was able to design and pursue many of my own projects. While I was there, I had the opportunity to grow 5+ species of never-before-grown species of mushrooms, and I was able to take part in a lot of the same work the professional biologists on the reserve were doing. I was incredibly comfortable once I adjusted, and I felt like part of a family and community in IPBio and in Iporanga. 9/10 highly recommended! The most common complaint I heard during the program was the wifi in the jungle was not the best. But once you get used to it, I found it pretty refreshing. As for future volunteers and interns... The best advice I can give you is to make the most of every moment and to keep a record of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Meet and talk to as many people as you can. Learn Portuguese, start with just a few words every day. Make friends, be open-minded, try everything! Learn as much as you can: to make fire anywhere anyhow, to travel for dirt cheap, to ask more questions and talk less, to grow bioluminescent shrooms, to Samba and Forro, to haggle, to make a killer caipirinha, etc. And don't forget to talk to and hang out with the awesome staff, they are some of the most interesting people in the world. Oh and have fun!

I spent 6 weeks at IPBio in the summer of my 2nd year studying biology at university. My experience was incredible, the organisation is doing such incredible things and it so great to know that the work you do as a volunteer is actually being used for scientific research. The atmosphere at the reserve is super welcoming and the staff are supportive and relaxed. This makes the work really enjoyable, particularly for the role of Eco-volunteer (which I had), which means that you get to participate in a multitude of projects, so that you never get bored. I found it to be a perfect combination of practical work experience as well having an amazing social aspect. There are stunning caves, waterfalls and hikes in the area as well as an unbelievably friendly local community. I honestly can’t put into words how much I enjoyed my experience, taking home to many incredible memories and making life-long friends.

I am not even going to lie, before I arrived at IPBIO my expectations weren't too high. I thought it would be fun and relaxing but I didn't expect it to be such an amazing experience. Every staff member was extremely friendly and chill. what I liked most about them, was that they would listen too my suggestions and they would let me do stuff the way I wanted to do it. They also helped us alot to organise our trips after work or on weekends. The cost for the stay is an absolute fair price for what you get: a pretty house, good equipment and everything you need. Don't even get me started on how beautiful the location was! Every morning I woke up in that house and looked outside, I felt blessed for having the opportunity to be there for a while. Everywhere we walked (and we walked a lot), we saw new exciting things and weirdly fascinating animals or plants. The work was really diversified and there were very few moments when I got a little bored. I learned a lot about how to do research in the rainforest and how to identify different species. I also felt like the work we did actually had a purpose and we weren't just there because the organisation needed our money. I had the best time ever in my free time in those 4 weeks (I originally planned to stay 3 weeks but then extended my trip) I stayed there. I saw so many things I never even imagined existed. so many caves and we did a short trip to Rio which was... intense. I can't even explain how much I loved every single second and how much I worshiped every single experience. We meet a lot of locals and the way they lived was so diverse to how I live and I think I learned a lot for myself. The people I met? We became a happy little family and I loved how I became friends with people I usually wouldn't. We had so much fun together and I couldn't have asked for a better crew. My tip: Even if you are hella tired, never miss an opportunity. You can sleep if your home again.

I’ve been at the reserve betary for roughly 11 weeks and it’s been a profound experience being constantly surrounded by fauna and flora in one of the highest ecologically diverse regions in the world. Daily activities range from bird, mammal and mushroom inventory to habitat monitoring to glowing mushroom walks at night and more seasonal activities and many more. It’s not only rather scientific (although you don’t have to be a biologist to have fun and learn some interesting stuff!) there are also very entertaining leisure activities such as hikes to caves and waterfalls, barbecues, just chilling in a hammock, reading etc. If you love nature and having a spectacular time and meeting interesting characters, I would highly recommend volunteering at IPBio. The staff are something else - friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and so much more. If you want an enriching experience I think you’ve found the right place...

It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen! It was simply incredible to explore so many different plants, animals and observe the biodiversity in one place only. I enjoyed having a mixture of film work and "eco biology- work" especially because I could combine my passion for nature and being involved in different projects of the Reserva. The time I spent there exceeded all my expectations! They are certain rules to follow, If you're not too rebel you will not get kicked out, don't worry, the IpBio Crew was really super super kind, if you just follow the rules :P. The working experience, was magical and the free time experiences even more magical Living in the forest felt a bit like Avatar. There are glowing mushrooms and glowing insects, what I've found so fascinating. You see a million shining stars, even the milky way and each day you feel all the beauty of the universe. Everything was well organised, the volunteer's, IpBio Crew Are, and local people I've met were amazing and the moments I spent were just unforgettable, I will keep them in my heart! The forest showed and taught me one more time, why humans should protect nature, instead of destroying it and how important animals as well plants are for our biodiversity and life on planet earth. A big thank you to the Institute making this trip possible and I hope I can come back and stay longer.

My name is Kieran and I study zoology at the University of the West of Scotland. IPBio was perfect for my 3rd year work experience and I would highly recommend it to any lover of nature. Living and working in the Atlantic rainforest was incredible and the most insane adventure for my first time abroad. Although my time at the Reserva Betary was primarily for my university work experience, I still had to fund and plan the whole trip myself. Despite that, I’d do it all again just for the sake of it. And if I managed it, anyone could do it. The people at IPBio were all amazing and I had plenty of escapades out with the reserve too. I made friends and memories that I’ll cherish for a long time. Of course, the work experience also opened new doors for me in terms of zoology at university. I now have better experience with working on the field and working with likeminded individuals. I would definitely return to the rainforest again and stay a lot longer than just 3 weeks, really can’t beat it.

Whilst completing research about work experience for my 3rd year at university I stumbled across IPBio. They are a non-profit voluntary organisation for biodiversity research, so it was perfect for a someone studying zoology like me. I stayed and volunteered at the Reserva Betary in the Atlantic rainforest for 3 weeks as an eco-volunteer. All I can say is that it was an adventure and a half. I’m from the west of Scotland so it was a very stark contrast waking up to the rainforest every morning instead of the countryside. But I can’t complain because it was beautiful. The staff were brilliant and always super helpful and meeting the other volunteers, people from all over with different backgrounds, made my time at IPBio that wee bit more special. I would recommend IPBio to anyone, it’s a smashing place and you’ll always get a class adventure out of it. I’d advise you to stay longer than 3 weeks though, there’s hundreds to do and see. Also, take plenty of bug repellent.

My experience with volunteering at IPBio has been amazing overall. Staff have been friendly and helpful, the program has a variety of different activities each for a determined project, and the location is wonderful with many things to explore during free time and weekends.

I was an Eco-Volunteer at IPBio for 10 weeks for academic credit. During those 10 weeks, I got to get a broader idea of what the different areas of research at IPBio are. The position of Eco-Volunteer allows you to participate in the study of birds, mushrooms, habitats, trees, and now arthropods. Every day is devoted to the study of a different thing and the beauty of this is that though each day is different it falls into a rhythm over time and you become fairly well acquainted with all the different areas of study.

Hello! My name is Marie and I worked as an eco-volunteer for 7 weeks at the Betary Reserve. What I liked the most about the volunteer programme was the broad scope of the work we were involved with, ranging from birds to fish to mushrooms. Every day was different and I never felt bored. The projects were excellent opportunities to learn more in-depth about the area’s biodiversity as well understand the importance of the data we were collecting. There was also a really nice calm atmosphere at the Reserve. The staff were kind, helpful and welcoming. Although communication was sometimes limited due to the language barrier, the staff would always take their time to help us out or show us something interesting. I also got to know people from all walks of life, as well as enjoy lovely weekend excursions to nearby places such as Caneneia or the Casa de Pedra. All in all it was an excellent experience and I would greatly recommend it.

The beauty of the surroundings makes this experience a magical one! Being able to volunteer outdoors while learning about research methods and the different species found in the Atlantic forest was never tiring. I could only stay for one month but I recommend staying for a longer time if you want to learn more and visit all the caves, waterfalls and other great locations found in the region. Be prepared for the humidity and try to bring clothes that dry fast.

My name is Chandler Nelson and I am from Arizona,USA. I was attracted to Reserva Betary's program because of the uniqueness, and it definitely came through. There are countless experiences in the field that I couldn't imagine happening anywhere else. The research itself is interesting and continuously changing and gives an insight on how real conservation efforts happen. Although going into it I felt very out of my league, the staff were kind and extremely prepared to help me learn and apply skills needed to have an awesome experience. I am a Portuguese speaker and feel that it really helped me but being culturally immersed with weekend outings and mingling with the staff was one of my favorite and most memorable parts of my time here.

After staying here for four months, I would highly recommend this program to any nature-lover, as during the program you are constantly in contact with the astounding amount of biodiversity the Atlantic rainforest offers, and not just during working as a volunteer, but pretty much 24/7, as that you live directly upon the reserve. the staff here are friendly, easy-going, and are also incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and so every time you work with them, it’s a learning experience. The program also allows you to experience the eco-tourism in the area, from the hikes to the numerous caves in the state park nearby, the cascading waterfalls and the beautiful white sand beaches of Cananeia, and all these you explore with the diverse group of volunteers alongside you. The work in the program is engaging, and what I found impressive, is that it is also always evolving; volunteers can suggest improvements to pre-existing projects as well as suggest new projects to add to the program, so that it is constantly improving.

I really enjoyed working at the betary reserve. There are lots of activities to be a part of, including fish inventory, habitat monitoring, mushroom inventory etc., and, as a volunteer, you are involved in all the steps and get to learn a lot. Working in the amphibian lab was my favourite part as I have always wanted to work with frogs and I got to work in a lab for the first time, doing relevant studies on tadpoles. The staff are very supportive and open to discussing your ideas. The volunteer house is very well equipped, despite several power cuts, and all the people volunteering with me were amazing people to live and work with. There are some restaurants and bars in the local area and in the local town, which volunteers can go to in their free-time.

Hello I'm Eva and this year I spent three months at IPBio as an amphibian researcher. My time there has been unforgettable and unique, I loved every second of it. First to the program, as an amphibian researcher I divided my time between working with tadpoles and frogs and the regular projects done by the eco-volunteers. If you're staying for more than two months I would recommend doing a specialization but for a shorter period of time it's also very rewarding going there as an eco-volunteer. They have various projects which all contribute to the whole. The working days were really enjoyable, the projects enable you to get to know the beauty and diversity of the atlantic rainforest and truly connect with it. As a volunteer there you really see the value of your work, everything you do truly contributes! Then there is the place we live, the volunteer house is right next to the centre and therefor in the midst of the forest and yet it has all the comforts of home, a kitchen, desk in every room, fan or AC, TV, hammocks outside and (shitty) wifi. The staff is also very friendly and always ready to help or for a nice talk. In your free-time there are so many wonderful activities, floating down river on a tube (boia-cross), exploring the various caves, going to see waterfalls, or a night out to Sal's place or into town. And best of all, marvel at the beauty of the milky way, fireflies, glowing larvae and bioluminescent mushrooms. I would go back there anytime! oh and if you go there, say hello to the hummingbirds for me.

I came here to do my internship as an amphibian researcher. I can only describe my stay as amazing and breathtaking. It is amazing to see all the biodiversity around the reserve and be part of incredibly interesting researches. I met the most amazing people from all over the world with which I've done some fun excursions and activities. I would certainly recommend to jump into this experience. If I could, I would stay here forever!

I volunteered with IPBIO for roughly a month and I loved it! My main activity has been developing a protocol to culture a bioluminescent fungus testing different humidities (I had been working in biology research for almost 3 years before volunteering) but I have been involved in all sorts of activities such as tree, fish, and bird inventories. All activities are very engaging, educational and fun, and the volunteers coordinators are doing a great job managing the volunteers, promoting week end activities and leading the different projects. Reserva Betary is a beautiful place surrounded by various local amenities like caves and parks, and I met many wonderful people I am sure I am going to keep in touch with. I highly recommend to have the right equipment before arriving (hiking shoes, boots and clothes) as there are no shops surrounding the reserve. The only aspect that could be improved is the lab equipment but I have the impression they get things done.

I had so much fun learning about the biodiversity of the Atlantic forest at Reserva Betary. I was an eco-volunteer for two months which I thoroughly enjoyed and it was very informative. You work 9-4 Monday to Fridays with the weekends free. They are really helpful here and give you some options for the weekend like visiting waterfalls and caves, which I would highly recommend!! Also before you arrive, learn some Portuguese, it will go a long way when you want to talk to the biologists. All of the volunteers speak English, but to learn more Portuguese would be useful, I wish I had known more. Also, make sure you bring a few pairs of long bottoms and long socks, as when you’re hiking around they are needed to protect your legs from plants, mozzies and ants! I had the best time and will never forget my experience here.

My name is Matt and I’m from Wales, UK. In the eight weeks I spent at IPBio, I focused on working with tadpoles in the lab and I also set up a new camera trapping project. Every day is packed with adventures and good times, I can assure you of that! You hear the sounds of the jungle every day, and never know what sights you will see. There are surprises around every corner. The volunteer house is modern and has everything you need. There’s a range of weekend activities available including floating down the river on a rubber tube and exploring awesome caves! I highly recommend IPBio, they are one of the best volunteering opportunities out there!

My name is Amy, I’m 22 from Australia and I truly fell in love with IPBio. It was unbelievably incredible living so close to the rainforest! There is so much to explore and see in your own free time (only work 9-4 each day). Heaps of animals to see around everyday as well: frogs and hummingbirds were my favourite. You have all amenities provided – living situation is very cushy for being a volunteer program and the amount you pay to be there. (Especially having wifi available as well). It is also super vegetarian/vegan friendly! I was a bit concerned coming to Brazil thinking I would struggle to eat out but so many of the nearby restaurants have vegan options and the staff are all super conscious of it which was really great (and the vegan traditional food is insanely good). Although you’re not necessarily doing too much hard science in the eco-volunteer role you are still getting a lot of applicable field ecology experience. The main reason for my wanting to go to IPBio was to do conservation/biodiversity work in an awesome location that wasn’t in my home country and I 100% feel like I achieved it over my four and a half weeks here. My only regret was wishing I could stay way longer!

I stayed at the Betary reserve in January for four and a half weeks. It was the greatest time I could have had. As an ecologist it was perfect for me, with all the field work and research. I felt familiar with some of the methods, however still felt like I learned a lot and was tested throughout. I often get homesick, and stressed about travelling, so I thought I’d never be able to do something like this, however I shouldn’t have worried, because we were so supported by lovely staff and each other. We were also so busy and physically active the time went really quickly and I actually wish I could stay longer. I felt very comfortable in the house and lucky to have WIFI and aircon whilst surrounded by jungle and nature. I cannot recommend this experience more!

In January I was at the Betary reserve for just over a month. I could not have chosen to do anything more amazing with my time, and it was just perfect for me. I would recommend it to anyone with a passion for nature and the outdoors! Being an ecologist I loved all the research, and field work that we did. I had used some of the methods before, however still felt like every day brought a new learning experience and new challenges. In the past I never considered visiting a project like this as I thought I wouldn’t handle it, and I’d miss home too much. However I really didn’t have to worry about this because we were always so active and busy and because of the really lovely and supportive staff and fellow volunteers. It all went so quickly I just wish I could of stayed longer. The house is great, and it felt very luxurious to have (slow) Wi-Fi and aircon in the middle of the jungle. The house was also so friendly and communal.

Volunteering at Betary Reserve was an incredible experience. My husband who works in post production and I, went to the Reserve to make a video of the release center. I’m a doctor at a hospital located in Bs As, and I wanted to do something for the environment and this was just what I was expecting. I’m very happy and thanks to this experience I want to do more volunteer work. The staff is amazing and the reserve is beautiful

Volunteering in Betary Reserve was an amazing experience. I’m a Visual Effects artist based in Buenos Aires, and had the opportunity to write and direct an institutional video about the reserve with my wife as a co-director. The reserve is an incredible place. With great infrastructure and super friendly staff, doing this video was a pleasantly experience. I’ll recommend this program to anyone interested in doing nature photography or videos, as the entire place, the animals, rivers, forest, etc. Are the best to display your talent, and always doing it for the right reasons.

Spending two months as an “eco-volunteer” was phenomenal. While the projects the volunteers are involved in are not lab-based nor consist of serious field-work/research as I had hoped, they were still enjoyable and I had fun each and every day of “work”. The staff here are all wonderful human beings and are friendly and caring enough to make a foreign environment feel like a home. Both the staff at Reserva Betary and the locals of Iporanga are encouraging and will patiently listen to your best Portuguese attempt and try to figure out what you’re saying (I wish I had invested more time in learning Portuguese before arriving). In addition to the staff, the other volunteers I was living with in my time here were nothing short of amazing. My time spent with all these people quickly became more valued to me than the work experience I had been expecting. Living on the grounds of the reserve is a once in a lifetime experience to be surrounded by so much natural beauty. The small but beautiful town of Iporanga is just a ~10 minute drive away (groceries came out to about 30 Canadian dollars a week for me). The Reserve is isolated in a general sense but the journey to airports in Sao Paulo or Santos is efficient and doable in less than one day, so travelling before/after/while staying here is very easily achievable (big bonus!). The pitfalls program here was my favorite aspect of the work and only runs in the summer season, if possible I would recommend coming during that period if you enjoy hiking and getting a first hand look at the wildlife here! Imran is a wonderful manager and the volunteer program would simply not be the same without him.

Volunteering with IPBio has been an amazing experience. Part of my goal in volunteering at the Betary Reserve was to develop as a person and to get more life experience, and in this regard IPBio was phenomenal. At the reserve I fit the role of an eco-volunteer while also doing photography. I took nature photos, shots of the facilities, and candid photos of the staff and volunteers. As a photographer who has traveled the world taking pictures, Brazil and more specifically the area around the reserve is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It’s nearly impossible for me to convey the beauty of the reserve and the area through this review and a few pictures, but I’ll do my best. I took as many pictures as I could for two months, and yet feel that I could stay for months more without running out of photo-ops. I’m currently taking a gap year between high school and college, and part of my plan was to volunteer with IPBio to gain insight into potential careers in environmental science. The work at the reserve is data collection and some analysis. I was expecting more data analysis than I did, which was disappointing. It’s not a flaw of the program, since it is designed to gather data for researchers at universities, but I think that that relationship needs to be made clearer to potential volunteers. Overall the projects themselves were interesting and enjoyable. In addition to the amazing environment and nature, both the staff and fellow volunteers were amazing people. You really have the chance to get to know the staff members through weekend activities and the projects. The people I volunteered with during my stay were amazing people who shared a passion for the environment. We had a really good group dynamic that made the projects and my time there in general very enjoyable.

Brazil is an incredible place, but just visiting it won’t do it justice. At the Betary Reserve I got the opportunity to really experience Brazilian life, going to events in Iporanga, making friends with the townspeople, waking up every morning in the heart of the Atlantic Rainforest and having breakfast with the hummingbirds. I was here as a Media Volunteer and I have never had this many amazing Photo Opportunities. In fact, there were so many, that I fully intend on returning for a full year. The work is rewarding and interesting, and you really do get to experience the jungle and the life within it in the fullest way. I learned new things every day, from staff as well as from simply watching the world around me. All of the projects the reserve works on are immensely fascinating, from studying a deadly fungus attacking Amphibians worldwide, to going out at night to find bio-luminescent mushrooms, there is a vast variety. Bird Inventory, Fish Inventory and Tree Inventory are only some of the other projects. It's a place that really makes you feel a part in the effort to preserve wildlife.

I was lucky to spend 6 weeks at IPBIO in the middle of the Atlantic Rainforest, although this amount of time is way too short to discover all the amazing plants and animals and natural wonders you can find there. The institute is located in an absolutely marvellous spot in the jungle surrounded by lush vegetation and an astonishing abundance of incredible beautiful wild animals. The people working there are very nice and supportive and will do everything to help you with any kind of concern. I was mainly helping to carry out research studies concerning frogs and tadpoles but i was also involved in a lot of different other projects like bird monitoring, habitat monitoring or tree inventory. When I was there I had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful people from all over the world. At the weekends we were able to do a lot of great and fun weekend activities together like hiking through a river and swimming through waterfalls or simply hiking in the jungle. Once we also went to the island of Cananéia, where, if you are lucky, you can see a lot of dolphins. So for me it was an absolutely wonderful time at IPBIO! Thank's for everything guys :-)!!

I had such an amazing time at the Betary Reserve in the middle of the Atlantic Rainforest. It is so beautifully located in the midst of the rainforest that it is surrounded by a tremendous abundance and diversity of plants and wildlife. The staff-members of IPBIO are incredible nice, helpful and attentive. I was working there as an eco volunteer and my main focus was helping carrying out research studies with tadpoles and frogs. But I've also participated in a lot of other projects like mushroom inventory, habitat monitoring or bird monitoring. I really loved every single project and it was great to work together with a lot of other wonderful people from all over the world. There are a lot of awesome weekend activities you can do such as wandering through marvellous caves or discovering beautiful waterfalls and even swim behind them or make a trip to the sea to Cananéia, where, if you are lucky, you can see a lot of dolphins!! All in all it was a very unique and amazing experience for me!!

I'm 28 from the UK, with a scientific background and interest in conservation. Volunteering at IPBio was a lovely experience which I would definitely recommend. It is in an amazing setting in the Atlantic forest by a tranquil weather and plenty of opportunities to see colourful birdlife and the rare glimpse of other animals such as monkeys. I also loved getting to know the local town Iporanga which was not on the tourist trail and gave you an insight into small town Brazil. The programme is very well organised and the volunteer co-ordinators Imran and Marleen are friendly and helpful. The application process and arrival were made simple. On the ground, Imran was always ready to solve any problems and pro-active. I also really enjoyed working with other like-minded volunteers from around the world. The social life was good with relaxed evenings and the opportunity to do trips away at the weekend. The work was varied and interesting. I spent about half my time working on frog/tadpole protects and the rest helping with the general eco-volunteer role. My only criticism is that not all of the work seemed scientifically rigorous and it was not always clear what the end goal of some projects was. I hope as the organisation develops it can create closer links with universities or research groups to make sure its work is practical and relevant. Overall, it is a fantastic team who are passionate and I have no doubt it will continue to grow and improve.

I volunteered at IPBio for three weeks as a video editor/videographer and the only thing I would change would be to stay longer. Imran, Marleen, and the rest of the staff were all so wonderful and welcoming. I honestly had a fantastic time at the reserve; not only is the place beautiful and breathtaking but the whole experience was so genuine and really allowed me to get a true and unfiltered feel of Brazil through it’s nature and community. There was never a moment where I felt unsafe and the surrounding area is truly magical in how gorgeous everything is. The caves, waterfalls, and wildlife were all unreal and I felt like I was in a movie the whole time. Volunteering here has not only made me richer in terms of experience and memories, but I also now have met friends from all over the world. I would 100% recommend this place to anyone.

I always wanted to have the experience of volunteering, and now that I made it I would say it was such a valuable decision. As an environmental engineering student, I think that participating in the eco-volunteer program was very enriching since I had the opportunity to participate in different projects, such as checking water quality of the reserve´s ponds, made some trees inventory, plant native trees to recover the ecosystem, I had the chance to learn about mammals, birds, and frogs. Apart from all the knowledge and professional experience, I feel very fortunate to have volunteered in a field that interests me and above all to have lived in a charming and peaceful place, and met work and share with such wonderful people.

This experience was great in several ways. I always wanted to do my share in protecting biodiversity and discovering wild life. So when I heard about IPBIO I planned to go there. Done, I was there for a month and it surpassed my expectations. First, I was surprised how nice and welcoming Brazilian people are. Then the landscape is crazy; jungle, mountains cave and waterfalls are everywhere. About IPBIO; the working activities are nice and diverse - we can participate at mushrooms inventory, birds, tree inventory even fish. Mammals you can inventory by using the camera traps are also amazing. But the most interesting aspect is to live with people from everywhere, different languages and areas but all super nice !

At IPBIO I spent the majority of my work week developing methods for growing bioluminescent mushroom species endemic to the Atlantic Forest at the Betary Reserve Field Station in conjunction with a lab at Sao Paolo University. Another main part of my work was helping to implement a mushroom inventory process for the reserve to begin to collect, identify and catalogue mushroom species and track and maintain mushroom biodiversity. I completed scientific article research to gain updated and background information on current mushroom species identified in the Atlantic Forest and growing methods across many different cultivated and non-cultivated species. I worked to maintain mushroom mycelium cultures by replication involving media preparation, clean room, Laminar flow hood and autoclave use and sterilization practices. I helped support the Volunteer Manager with integrating and familiarizing new volunteers with the reserve and field station. Aside from all this I had the opportunity to support multiple projects including amphibian monitoring of Bd fungus effects, bioacoustics tracking, camera trap tracking, tree inventory, habitat monitoring of ponds, fish inventory of local stream, aquaponics system setup and gardening tasks. All the work was enjoyable and rewarding and the staff and locals are all very friendly and welcoming. By the end of my stay everyone felt like family. I always had the weekends to look forward to because there were so many tourist activities to take part in and there was always a BBQ happening somewhere.

I was reading about many volunteering projects, and my eyes fell on the project of the Reserva Betary, an Eco volunteering project, based on biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest. I applied on the website, in few days they sent me an E-mail to agree the date of the interview. I did the interview with Imran, the volunteer coordinator, that explained me the aim, the activities and the projects oh the reserve. It was an incredible experience for me: the atmosphere at the Reserva Betary was magical, because we were ten volunteers from different parts of the world, all with the same passion. It was so easy make friendship and work with the other volunteer. The volunteer cordinators of the reserve are very competent and passionate persons. Probably it was the best volunteering experience of my life.

The best volunteering experience of my life! Perfect place, perfect persons, perfect food and perfect activities for an environmental appassionate! I’ll recommend this experience to everyone! Activities are so many different, all interesting.

My time at IPBio has been completely unforgettable and I will take with me some incredible memories. I came from the UK to the reserve with an expectation that I would be involved in a variety of conservation related projects as a Biodiversity Research Assistant. What I didn’t expect is that I would meet the most amazing group of volunteers, staff and local people who I now count as great friends, and that I would feel so at home in Iporanga. The reserve is so beautiful: there is always something to see, whether that is the bioluminescent larvae at the aquarium, the amazing starry nights, or sitting on the veranda watching the hummingbirds from a hammock. We worked mostly in our immediate surroundings but also often hiked over to Celine to carry out the tree inventory project and habitat monitoring of the Celine pond. I have really valued how flexible and supportive the volunteer coordinators are, helping us to organise trips for the weekend, supporting us to start new creative projects and to listen to anything we had to say at 9 am every morning for the group meeting. In regards to project work, I found there to be a great balance of more physical project work such as tree and fish inventory and projects like reviewing OBBIO camera trap footage (which I often did from the comfort of a hammock!). I especially loved my weekends at the reserve, with countless caipirinha making sessions, hiking to the caves, group meals (shoutout to the Italians… and Julio) and all the festas! Huge thanks to Imi, Marleen & all the staff at the reserve for making me feel so at home! Até mais!

I study Environmental Economics and Politics and I work for Greenpeace: my love for the environment led me to look for a volunteering program related to nature. Brazil is one of the place where biodiversity is richer and, in the meanwhile, more threatened: I decided to go there and make my best to preserve the Atlantic Forest; when I arrived to the Betary Reserve, I found what I could just remotely imagine: green until your eyes can see, a silent and peaceful forest, coloured and different animals in every corner. Only in a place like this you can discover the beauty of wildlife and feel useful to its protection in the meanwhile. My permanence at the Betary Reserve taught me how much every single alive being is special and unique and deserves to exist: even if I though I was already enough sensitized, from now ever I’m sure that I’ll work harder in order to protect what I found here. Not less important, I found people that, like me, have a dream related to a better planet: we had something in common since the beginning and, knowing eachother day by day, I can say that I felt home. In addition, the Betary Reserve is not far from a little village, Iporanga, that is full of amazing people that can’t wait for showing you little bits of their traditions: even if you don’t speak Portuguese, they make their best to explain you as much as they can about their culture, and their vitality and jolly souls fill your heart with cheerfulness. Best experience of my life.

I spent 2 and a half months here at the Betary Reserve as an eco-volunteer during the winter months of Brazil (June-August). I have enjoyed my experience very much. The people - both staff and other volunteers, have been amazing to be around and have made my time here unforgettable. I do not speak Portuguese which made it more difficult to really communicate with most of the staff here, but they were all so sweet and made an effort in speaking with me and making me feel welcome. All of the volunteers spoke English while I was here, and we were all around the same age range (youngest being 19 yr. while the oldest was around 30 ;-)). The work I did here was a mix between mildly physical (some of the gardening) to fairly relaxing (OBBio videos). I came down here with the expectation of learning the basics of field biology, and through the time I have spent here I have seen the pleasures and challenges of doing biological research in the field. I have learned things I didn't expected especially when it comes to identifying the birds and mammals, but the science is not super rigorous (no lab work, the standardization of some of the projects is still being worked out, and some projects feel like they have more purpose than others). The accommodations here are really nice. There are 6 single rooms and two shared rooms (with three beds each), hot showers, clean living spaces and kitchen, and a washer. A new volunteer home is currently being made, so the kitchen over there should be really nice and new. Weekend activities include caving, BBQs, town parties, as well as just relaxing around the beautiful reserve. Overall, this volunteer position has been really great, and I would totally recommend it to anyone interested in this type of volunteer experience. This is an honest review, but it should be mentioned that we are given time during the last week to write reviews.

You really can’t go wrong volunteering anywhere in the rainforests of South America, but I have to say my time with Betary Reserve has been absolutely incredible, beyond any and all expectations I had. The program is enriching, rewarding and exciting. At the reserve, the eco-volunteers (my role) will engage in doing a variety of projects: tree inventory, amphibian research, bioluminescent mushroom research, gardening, bird and fish inventory. All of the projects provided valuable experience working in the field, with the added bonus of working outside with the beautiful flora and fauna of the Atlantic rainforest. Each day brought about new and productive work, my personal favorites were garden days in which we helped out in the garden around the reserve by weeding or planting seeds, and also bird inventory in which we went out in the jungle behind the reserve looking for birds to photograph for the catalog and data collection for research. All the work was so enjoyable; it was never tedious and always felt purposeful. It should be said however, that there is a fair amount of downtime, and while the work is structured, if you are looking for a more rigorous volunteering program this may not be the one. Also, it focuses more on field work than harder laboratory/science/biology training, but it is still good experience. I also strongly appreciate the level of comfort that was around the Reserve. I had expectations of sleeping in a hostel-like room with many other people, having cold showers, and a shoddy kitchen, more on the rougher side of things, but that was not the case at all. The volunteer house is well-furnished, with some single rooms, HOT showers and the volunteer kitchen is fully stocked and operable -a real nice standard of living to be in for a while, pretty luxurious in my opinion, especially with the hammocks strung around the deck. The volunteer program is well coordinated. I felt safe and secure in coming here, the program seemed (and is) very authentic and transparent in what it offers. Also, its affordability was a major plus, almost the price of a hostel each night. One main reason I chose this program over others were because of the option for weekend activities. I really wanted to explore Brazil and its beauty, and the tourism offered allowed this. I absolutely adored the trips: river tubing, exploring caves, swimming under waterfalls, hiking in the jungle, all so amazing!! The town parties and events weren’t half bad either, a real good time. Overall, I loved my experience here and highly recommend it to others if you’re interested in what Betary Reserve has to offer! Super amazing program, and honestly I would never leave if I didn’t have to.

IPBio has been the most amazing way to spend my summer. The past two months have been filled with so many opportunities to learn and be hands on with projects. As an eco-volunteer, I had the chance to work with all of the projects here as well as focus on the frogs in the lab. Being able to be in this gorgeous area while learning and exploring is an incredible experience. The staff here is extremely friendly and supportive. Living with the other volunteers has given me the opportunity to make great friends to explore this beautiful forest with. The weekends allow us time to explore the state park and the town and the weekdays are filled with hands on experiences in nature. This summer here has provided me with experiences, knowledge and memories that will last a lifetime.

My time at IPBio was an amazing first abroad experience! During my two month stay, I served as a research assistant for the numerous amphibian studies, as well as an eco-volunteer, assisting with various other projects in the field. Every day, I spent either the morning or the afternoon in the lab with tadpoles and frogs; I collected data like length and mass, as well as examining some under a microscope to assess their health and take photos. I had the opportunity to write up new research protocol for the studies, and I also got to participate in one night collection of frogs to inform our understanding of the biodiversity on the reserve! The other half of my day was spent in the field, overseen by the lovely and super knowledgeable Marleen, collecting data for a variety of other projects at IPBio. One of my favorites was the pond habitat monitoring, which was set up by a fellow volunteer during my time at IPBio. Lily created a monitoring system to track the health of a variety of aquatic habitats on the reserve, and once a week we would collect data from one of the ponds, rotating through them over the weeks. My favorite part was probably identifying the macro-invertebrate species in each pond, which required us to sift through a small sample size that we collected, picking out a variety of insect larvae, tiny crustaceans, snails, and aquatic worms to identify. I also assisted in sorting through loads of camera trap footage, which led to watching a little family of birds basically grow up before my eyes, as they passed in front of the same camera consistently for upwards of a month. My fellow volunteers during my stay were all so interesting and wonderful, and it was an honor and pleasure to get to know them, for whatever the length of time our paths crossed. The staff were all amazing and so knowledgeable in their respective fields. Marleen taught me so much about field biology and data collection, Henrique taught me loads about birds, and Anna was so helpful answering all of my questions in the lab. Being my first trip out of my home country, Imran was so supportive and answered my questions every step of the way, all the way up until I got off the bus at the Reserve the day I arrived. I was more than pleasantly surprised to find my room even had its own AC unit, which was a total luxury! And I don’t even know how she does it with all of the tromping around in muddy boots we do, but Adriana keeps everything on the reserve sparkling clean 24/7, and always greets you with an equally sparkling smile. Not only is everybody on staff excellent at what they do, they are so much fun to just hang out with! When you are not involved in the exciting and interesting projects on the Reserve, you will not lack for activities to occupy your time! There are so many amazing trips to be taken on your weekends off, and it is 110% worth it to budget out some extra money to take at least one or two. Whether you take a day to lay out on the beach in Cananaeia and watch dolphins play just meters from shore, or hike deep into the jungle to swim in remote waterfalls and explore captivating caves, you will NOT be disappointed. Being an Ecology and Environmental Science student in the US, I was drawn to IPBio’s projects in general, but had no special interest in amphibians. After my time volunteering, I have decided to go on for my masters and hopefully become a PhD candidate in herpetology down the line! I had no idea how much I would come to love and be inspired by a single family of animals, as well as the places they live. They are fascinating creatures and I think anyone who has the chance should get to know them a little better; they are an important bioindicator for many biomes, and can tell us so much about the health of the environments they inhabit. So, thank you IPBio for igniting this passion in me, and for giving me the opportunity to find it! I hope to return soon, and see all of the wonderful people (and frogs) I got to know during my stay. Obrigada, Brazil <3

I was introduced to IpBio through my Conservation Biology Master's Program and was given the opportunity to participate in the bioacoustics research inventory at the reserve in a personalized fashion, while earning internship credits at my university. I could not have asked for a more fulfilling experience. I received extensive support in my research objectives of detecting three endemic frog species while learning Kaleidoscope software along with the reserve staff. Not only did this internship provide me with thorough experience in the rising field of bioacoustics, a extremely valuable skill for a budding ornithologist or herpetologist, it also enabled me to personalize my learning and take on a high level of accountability for my results at a Master's level. Data was generously open to me in a way in which I can continue to work on my project as I proceed with my degree. All bioacoustics findings are very exciting in that huge data sets can be analyzed in a relatively simple process. There is also much to learn in the field, which makes any contribution feel important. As my job required many hours on the computer, I was also looked after and given a great deal of freedom to assist with other projects. I believe the opportunity IpBio provides volunteers to directly contribute to the conservation sciences and to practice field skills regardless of profession or experience is remarkable on many levels. I recommend the experience to anybody. I was highly impressed by the combination of efficiency and care with which research was conducted at the reserve. I also felt like my biological opinions were valid, and that I was taken very seriously as a conservation professional. From a personal standpoint, I felt extremely supported by all of those around me. All volunteer needs and requests were dealt with immediately. I will not forget the kind souls I met at the Betary Reserve, nor the beauty of the natural landscape in the Atlantic Forest.

I spent the last eight weeks volunteering as an Eco Volunteer at the Betary Reserve and can say that the experience was very fulfilling. I got to learn about field data collection skills and about the ecologically significant research topics that the data is being collected for. The team, including all volunteers, volunteer coordinators and permanent staff were very tightly knit, accommodating and welcome to new suggestions that can help the organization and its activities grow. Weekends were always full with hiking, visiting caves and waterfalls, attending events in the town nearby, etc., so we really got to experience the beautiful and unique nature and culture in the region. A big thanks and I hope that we meet again!

IPBio is located in a beautiful place in the middle of the Atlantic forest. The work we have done for the centre was collecting data about trees, birds, mashrooms to build an archive and an e book for the reserve. The data are also useful for the animal release centre Celine. Weekends are free and some of the activities include discovering the forest, the caves, going to the seaside... The volunteers I have met were incredibly nice and warm, the staff was ready to listen to any suggestion and to help for anything. I really liked this experience. It has been one of the most peaceful places I have ever been. I highly recommend this whoever wants to live for a little while close to the forest and to nature!

My husband and I have been volunteering around Central and South America for the last 5 months, and I can say that without a doubt this has been the best volunteering experience yet! From comfortable accommodations including electricity and internet to exciting daily activities and incredible weekend opportunities, this place really has it all! Some of the activities that we have done include: watching trap camera footage, bird observation, monitoring pond habitats, performing a fish inventory and tree inventory, and even doing some creative craft-work. I love watching the trap camera footage because it is always a surprise and you never know what you’re going to see. One of the videos I found was of a hummingbird taking a bath, that was so adorable! The living accommodations are really nice, I was pleasantly surprised to find I had my own air-conditioning unit in my room! The kitchen is fully stocked, and even has a fridge! (The last 2 places we volunteered didn’t have this, so this was particularly exciting). It is really amazing getting to live right in the forest alongside the river, but also having really nice buildings and rooms! On the weekends we typically did some activity with the other volunteers and volunteer coordinators on Saturdays, such as going fishing or having a barbeque. On Sunday we usually did some kind of tour, like tubing down the river, or going to see the caves or waterfalls! All in all, this has been a really incredible experience. I wish I could be here longer, and who knows we may find ourselves here again one day. I think if you are looking to volunteer in South America and you love animals or science, then your search is over! I really don’t think you could find a place better than this!

Olá, Meu nome é Raphael Ribeiro Francisco, tenho 26 anos, moro na cidade de Esp. Sto do Pinhal/SP e sou estudante de Medicina Veterinária. Vim para o IPBio com o intuito de trabalhar como voluntário no projeto de monitoramento de mamíferos de médio e grande porte. Era responsável pelas instalações das câmeras trap e pela análise das imagens. Nesse período que estive na Reserva Betary, também tive a oportunidade de conhecer a comunidade quilombola de Bombas. Onde efetuei uma palestra sobre zoonoses e passei algumas dicas sobre alimentação de equinos. Realizei também um check-up nos animais. Foi uma experiência muito gratificante estar aqui, nenhum dia era como o outro, aos finais de semanas sempre tinha uma atividade diferente: pescaria no rio Ribeira, churrasco, bóia cross, trekking na mata, visita a cachoeiras e cavernas da região. Os membros da equipe IPBio são extremamente atenciosos e estão sempre dispostos a ajudar. Valeu a pena cada segundo.

I spent 4 weeks volunteering at the Betary Reserve, without a Biology background, and loved every minute of it. I arrived with a background in mechanical engineering, an open-mind, and a willingness to work hard and I wasn’t disappointed. The work varies day-by-day and as a Research Assistant I was able to participate in all of the studies being conducted. Jobs included: taking measurements of important properties in the river, collecting and inspecting tadpoles, inventorying trees, monitoring local ponds for water quality and lifeforms, bird watching, and general ground maintenance. The variety of work meant that I felt very involved with all of the ongoing projects and it let me contribute in multiple ways. The living arrangements were superb and unlike anything I had experienced volunteering elsewhere in South America. We had A/C in our rooms, WiFi, flush toilets, hot showers, and a fully functioning kitchen! The organization of the staff is incredible. All of our inquiries pre-arrival were handled quickly and with lots of detail. The entire month we were here we always knew what we were tasked with and what was upcoming for the week. They organizers even took care of our taxi rides to/from town and planned weekend activities.

I applied for the volunteer program at IPBio in July of 2017 without imagining what I could expect when I left your country to live an adventure. I had an interview with the Imran Volunteer Coordinator via skype where he explained carefully that you would be in charge of the Reserve if you were selected, so I decided to stay for a period of three months (January to April 2018) and I do not get tired of thanking for the opportunity they gave me and the experience I had. I am a bachelor of law and I have always seen environmental issues and what a better opportunity to know the Mata Atlantica. Within the Reserve I was in charge of the research (mushrooms, bats, frogs), protocols (tadpoles, bd tadpoles, frogs), once a week there were group activities (gardening day, fish inventory or other activities). In addition, I had the opportunity to learn a little more with Luciane, Ana, Isaías and Henrique about Biology because I started working in the laboratory (animal feeding of the Reserve and research). On weekends one had the opportunity to perform different leisure activities (visit: caverns, waterfalls, Cananéia, Quilombos, boia cross), inside the Reserve there is a deck where one could swim in the river or make a barbecue. I definitely recommend the Reserve for people who like field work, nature. For me it is an unforgettable experience not only for the work you do but for each of the people who work there who are always willing to help you with a smile (Ana, Isaias, Marleen, Imran, Luciane, Henrique, Raphael, Adriana). And to the volunteers who are going from different nationalities, culture. I spent three months in the Reserve and saw many volunteers leave before me, and friendships that have been formed and will continue over time. Do not hesitate for a second to apply to the Reserve you will not regret it, I would go back without hesitation. Mariale Bellota

I have just finished a Masters Degree in Aquatic Science and when applying for jobs I noticed skills gaps that I had from a lack of practical experience because, while I had done field work before there was rarely the opportunity to dedicate large amounts of time to it. This is why I came to the Betary Reserve to be a a Eco-Volunteer. From the wide variety of field work, working with lots of different species, I learnt many new skills that I know will help me gain employment in the Conservation Sector back in the UK or abroad. As well as building on this foundation of good scientific practise and fieldwork (monitoring Fish, Amphibians, Mammals, Birds, Aquatic Invertebrates and Mushrooms to name a few!) there is much opportunity to use your individual skills sets to contribute to the research they are doing here. I used what I had learnt from my Aquatic Science Masters to set up a Pond Habitat Monitoring Project which will continue to run after I leave. There really are endless opportunities to learn and contribute here, especially if you are enthusiastic about wildlife (of which there is no shortage!). I am sad to be leaving, as even after 2 months the thrill of being surrounding by this beautiful landscape everyday has not worn off and I doubt it ever would!

I had an amazing 2 months as an Eco-Volunteer at the Betary Reserve near Iporanga. The reserve is located in the Atlantic Rain-forest and is an amazing spot to experience the habitat and learn about the local wildlife. I personally have no biological training or experience but was able to get involved in the full range of projects conducted, picking up lots of new skills and improving my understanding of the importance of biological research. I was able to work on different projects each day which meant I was always working on something new and got to spend plenty of time outside in the Brazilian sunshine. There was also plenty of fun activities on the weekend to keep me busy during my time at the Betary Reserve, which could range from exploring the spectacular national parks close to the reserve or having a BBQ in the sun.

The Reserve has been an incredible place to volunteer. The unique and wonderful setting aside, IP Bio provided a range of projects to get involved with, creating a very exciting volunteer experience. The staff are keen to utilise and promote the implementation and use of your specific skills while also encouraging you to get involved, hands on, with the other research projects being carried out. In addition, the staff are all very passionate about their work here and keen to get you involved in group activities, weekend trips and excursions! There are a great range of things to join in with at the weekends, with a personal favourite being the trip to see and get up close with wild dolphins. Overall, volunteering with IP Bio has been an unforgettable experience hidden away in a fantastic location, made even better by the friendly staff and incredible wildlife! I hope to come back very soon ...

I came to the Betary Reserve in January 2018, amid a break from work before beginning a master’s degree at Oxford. I came to the Reserve with no prior experience in biology or conservation. This didn’t stop me from making a meaningful contribution, however. At the reserve I mostly focused on communications projects and helping some research projects when the need arose. My favourite projects while at the Reserve was Frog Night Search, where we searched for frogs to note ascertain the biodiversity of local ponds, and Fish Inventory, where we tried to catch fish to note down the River’s biodiversity. Staying at the Reserve was a great experience with the constant exposure to breath-taking wildlife with the comfort of private rooms (with air conditioning!). I also loved the fact that on a clear night you could see the stars with unique clarity, due to no light pollution! The best night was when you could see a thunderstorm approach while also star gazing. On weekend’s I had the opportunity to see stunning untouched caves (the Reserve is located in the ‘Cave Capital’ of Brazil) and ‘tube’ down the river while gazing at the surrounding forest. I also loved the BBQ’s we had with all the volunteers and (of course) the opportunity to experience Carnival in Cananeia (an amazing beach town, 3 hours from the reserve)!

I volunteered with IPBio for three weeks to gain work experience with amphibian pitfalls. From start to finish the experience was incredible and highly rewarding, my only complaint is that I wish I could have stayed longer. There is a real family dynamic at the reserve, the volunteers, and the staff made everyone feel at home. Everyone socialised in the evenings and we frequently arranged trips to the local town, Iporanga for shopping or a meal out. The weekend activities are a fantastic opportunity to explore the area and to try new things, whether it is caving or visiting the local quilombolas. After three weeks of the staying at the reserve, I am still amazed by the beauty and the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, I am an avid photographer and I am constantly finding something new to capture. IPBio is a wonderful place to get the rainforest experience, without having to sacrifice home comforts (such as WiFi!). The day to day work was always interesting and exciting, having the chance to undertake field research in the Atlantic Forest whilst also contributing to the conservation of amphibians was incredibly rewarding and an unforgettable experience.

The six weeks I spent at IPBio were an absolute delight! I loved the immense diversity, of seeing different animals, trees, mushrooms and plants every single day. As a video producer and editor I was given a lot of freedom to think of video's I wanted to make for the website and youtube-channel. There was already an enormous amount of footage I could use, but nature itself invited me to add even more material to the archives. Working at IPBio felt like actually being part of preserving a bit of the beautiful and indispensable Atlantic forest and making people aware of the necessity of keeping this area as diverse as it is.

The tree inventory is really interesting, you will get to be part of a giant project, hundreds of trees being numbered and identified to get a complete image of what the reserve has and how does the life forms inside of the reserve interact. Every day of tree inventorying is a mini adventure, hiking, knowing new plants, insects and birds, getting sweaty and overwhelmed at the immensity of the green ocean you will find. It can (and it will) be tiring, the mosquitoes, the humid warm weather and general hard working will get you at one point, but its definitively worth it, getting to know the flora and looking at this new world, and just being where you are, is an experience that I will recommend every time.

The 60 hectare Betary Reserve near Iporanga is a beautiful setting for doing field work in the Atlantic Forest, an ecosystem that has so much still to be discovered... and is fast disappearing. Although lab conditions aren't ideal for certain projects, you can get involved in a lot of good in-the-field conservation work on a wide variety of flora and fauna there, from trees to amphibians and mushrooms to monkeys. You get to walk along/off amazing trails to get to your work site, can spend time swinging in the hammocks or swimming in the river (if the current isn't too strong!) and eat lunch a couple of metres away from several different species of hummingbirds. The forest is abundant, with several layers of plants growing or creatures living on any available surface. Lots of mosquitos too, so go prepared! Most of the staff love what they do, were very approachable and helpful, and open to new ideas; the founder and his wife were very kind and friendly whilst doing such great work with this vision, and the volunteers were fun and interesting to be with since they came from a wide variety of backgrounds and were willing to do crazy things like go and look for bioluminescent fungi in the dark whilst it was raining heavily! :-) It's a great place for direct contact with an amazing natural environment, I loved just being in the forest and also being able to contribute towards useful conservation projects or educational activities.

I really liked it being a volunteer at the institute, because I had the opportunity to learn many new things, such as the endemic species of the Atlantic forest, as well as the traditions of the people of the area. In general, I think working here has been an excellent experience.

I really enjoyed my time working as a volunteer at Reserva Betary. All the people working here are super nice and willing to talk and help. My major project is tree inventory as well as some creative art projects. I also involve in other projects when help needed. Tree inventory is a very hard work for me. Hiking under the hot sun or in raining days are not easy, especially on the abrupt slope. The worst is attacking by mosquitoes every day. However, when you stay so close with nature and see amazing creatures and interesting things happening around you, you know all the hard work paid off. All in all, it is great experience to live in the forest and work with enjoyable people. I would highly recommend Reserva Betary to those who love and care about nature. It will add some value if the tree inventory project could be more educational to let people know more about botany.

My interest in environmental conservation started a few years ago when I was studying Economics at the University of Bath. Since then I realised I wanted to do some practical, hands-on work in the area but until coming to IPBio had never actually done so, becoming somewhat “tangled up” in London’s financial maze. The work I have done here is exactly what I had hoped for. As a Volunteer Coordinator, I was given the opportunity to help out and support volunteers on several projects, from the animal pitfalls to tree inventorying to tadpole research. As a result, I gained experience in many different tasks and in diverse environments. On one day we might spend hours hiking in the forest to set up animal pitfalls or to recover the precious bioacoustics recording whilst the next we might be in the lab looking for signs of BD disease in tadpoles or testing bioluminescent mushroom substrates – sometimes we would walk in the forest at night looking for them! Apart from the project work, I was also in charge of feeding the animals on a daily basis (yes, by the end I felt like I had developed some sort of relationship with them, although to what extent that was a one-way thing I am not sure) and occasionally supporting the Volunteer Programme Manager with his research and ad hoc tasks. Not only does IPBio bridge the gap between research and conservation, it also links work and fun. I can safely say I really enjoyed the work I did here, especially when it involved being outdoors and being in the midst of beautiful flora and fauna; there is even a gorgeous swimming spot just one minute away from the volunteer house. On top of all this, there are many opportunities to visit this incredible region and all it has to offer (magnificent caves and waterfalls instantly spring to mind) and even the small town of Iporanga has its charm (you will no doubt try out the restaurants, a couple of which cook some amazing but very affordable food). As if that’s not enough, the reserve is well-run by very friendly people. In short, I am very glad I came here and I would highly recommend this experience to anyone with similar interests. So get some insect repellent and come along!

As part of travelling South America, I decided to take part in the volunteer program offered at the Reserve Betary. I took a different path as a volunteer, given my professional experience and the needs at the reserve, and I had the opportunity to be involved in the overall coordination of various projects and also to help with some administrative planning within the organization. Arriving at Reserve Betary was a breeze, given the detailed volunteer package and the insightful coordination from the volunteer leads, Imran and Marleen, I felt comfortable and well versed on travelling to the reserve and what would be expected during my stay. At the Reserve I was able to take part in a number of different conservation projects, while both utilizing my skills and interests. Given the significant involvement of the staff at the reserve, they are able to place you in not only a wide range of projects but also in assignments of personal interest. The IPBio reserve is in a unique situation as it is not only situated at a remote location in the Atlantic rainforest, but also a short drive from the town of Iporanga. This offers a number of perks for the volunteers such as grabbing essentials in town (great for long-stay individuals), and also allowing for the coordination of a number of different activities outside of the research projects. This allows the volunteers to not only make the most of their free time, but also experience the natural beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest. My favourite of these were the Cave tours (Iporanga is home to the not only the most caves in the world but also some of the largest and most beautiful. These tours are led by experienced guides, and allow for experiences which would not be possible without my involvement with IPBio. Given the breadth of the projects ongoing at the Reserve, I would recommend volunteering at IPBio to not only those with a science background but also those hoping to have an impact and become involved in NGOs with a conservationist perspective.

As soon as you arrive to Betary Reserve, you immediately notice how all are mentioning Sergio, the founder. He is described as a Dreamer. And I would add that Sergio is one of those Dreamers who gets things done. All of his dream about this amazing conservation projects are happening not only because of his vision and passion, but also thanks to his eye in hiring and empowering people, from the gardener to the cleaning lady Adriana, who are just as committed as the biologists, with this DREAM that has COME TRUE. I really recommend volunteering at IPBIO. Everyone I met is totally committed with their projects, which are taken very seriously. All the biologists are totally focused on their research, and they impressed me with their passion, perseverance, love for all they do, and always with a smile. And a joke. I am really thankful for all that Ana, Isaias and Enrique taught me. Lou was on holiday, and I was very fortunate to meet her on one of our Caves trips. All projects are perfectly coordinated by the very efficient and fun Imrain and his beloved Marleen, whom is the closest you can get to a real version of Lara Croft. I have worked on Tree Inventory, Camera Traps maintenance and analysis. Tadpoles monitoring and Pitfalls. Besides learning and discovering some of the secrets this Atlantic Forest hides, and witness the commitment with Forest and Bio System recovery, I have especially enjoyed collaborating with my fellow Volunteers. The passion of the entire staff of IPBIO is so contagious that volunteers breath and live it. Whether it was on our daily missions, or our night strolls, looking for some amphibious, magical Fireflies and their larvae, whose lights mirror the Reserve beautiful starry night, and even on our fun Cave trips, volunteers are always taking pictures, asking for information and getting closer to this beautiful forest’s heart. I am always thrilled with the melting pot of cultures Volunteering offers. And this time. Again. I will have new friends to treasure. And, hopefully, meet again. Thank you, IPBIO.

Living and working in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest has been a dream! And I’m very sad it’s my last week as I have thoroughly enjoyed working for IPBio and the staff here who have been very friendly and welcoming. Taking some time out to try my hand at being a biological research assistant on a bioluminescent mushroom project has been truly a unique experience, and I have loved going out, trying to find new species, devising my own experiments, and having the opportunity to be more creative too – I designed the new mushroom project logo! Having stayed in such a beautiful place and having learnt some Portuguese, has given me the confidence to keep on exploring Brazil, so next week I’ll be on a beach in Florianopolis!

I was volunteering at IPBio just for three weeks but I would’ve like to stay much more! There were a lot of activities to do within the reserve, and in the free time with the other volunteers and the local community. The time flies in that little paradise! I was working in the tree inventory project because I consider it’s important to know the health status of the forest and how to improve it. It is also important because it lets you know the products and services that the forest provides, and the IPBio team makes a good link of cooperation with the Celine release center for wildlife, because they know when the trees have ripped fruits and that is the best time to release birds or other animals who eat those fruits. What an amazing way to keep the forest in a natural balance! The organization and facilities in the reserve are always awesome! They are very passionate with their job and care about the volunteers that go there. I really recommend this experience

As a biologist, I have volunteered all around the world, and I still learned so much at the Biodiversity Research Institute! Being in the heart of the Atlantic Forest itself is already an amazing experience, being surrounded by various species of fauna, flora and fungi! I was involved in the amphibian research, observing the presence of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in tadpoles; collecting and photographing mushrooms, to catalogue them; monitoring mammals through camera traps; and feeding of the fish, terrapins, toad and lizards, that are used for educational purposes. There’s also a lot of fun things to do on the weekends, like tubing, rappel, visiting caves and waterfalls, or just going for a swim in the river. It’s a great opportunity to learn and make amazing memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life, while helping a good cause!

Although I could just volunteer for a short period of time, it was a great experience and I learned a lot. I wish to return on the future. The reserve is a great place to be and the forest is full of gorgeous caves and waterfalls to visit. It is really a place to reconnect with yourself and nature.

I’m French and I passed two months at IPBIO, I really enjoy it, the staff are friendly and helpful. The landscape is amazing. I recommend it for everyone. Iporanga is a little but nice city. You have a lot of exciting activity for your free time. I learned about new culture, new language, new food, … Thank you IPBIO !!

I made my internship in the reserve Betary during 2 months and it was great, I will never forget it. Everybody in the association shares their knowledge, and they are helpful for our projects. I choose the Reserve Betary as a volunteer coordinator because I wanted to participated at volunteer projects in a management and organization field, I learned a lot with my missions. There are many awesome activities organized by the association like Boia cross, visiting caves, waterfall… You can see great scenery, and the reserve Betary is a peaceful workplace. I received all the information and advice needed before my arrival. I recommend this program.

I came volunteering at IPBio in July and had an awesome time! I study International Studies in The Netherlands and specialized on Latin America. I am also very interested in the preservation of the environment which ultimately made me choose IPBio, as it is an amazing organisation with great goals! During my work it was awesome to witness the passion for the work of IPBio! Working with Communications, my task for the month was to create the first newsletter of IPBio and give updates on all the projects that are going on at IPBio. I had a lot of fun working with everyone, writing, and having the freedom to create something that contributes to IPBio. In our free time, all the volunteers planned some amazing trips! We would go and explore the breath taking jungle, waterfalls, caves or go to parties and getting to know the Brazilian way of BBQing and talking to the locals. We spent one of the weekends roadtripping to the little island of Cananeia, watching dolphins, enjoying the island vibes and drinking fresh coco! IPBio offers a great community and all the volunteers I met during my stay were amazing as well and are now my friends! Every day is different and exciting at IPBio, especially due to its fantastic location in the middle of the rainforest. Having the opportunity to contribute to a good cause but at the same time explore the country, meet new people and getting to know Brazilian culture is the reason why I would highly recommend volunteering at IPBio! Learning some Portuguese expressions before you arrive would be helpful but you will learn fast!

I worked for two months as a Fundraising and Communications Coordinator for IPBio, and I have only great things to say about the organization and the experience. My work consisted of researching grants, creating video content for fundraisers, helping write a business plan, and general maintenance of the impressive reserve. The work itself was engaging and interesting, and has helped me secure other positions. However, the best part by far was the organization's community and surrounding forest. The Atlantic Forest is a nature-lover's dream, with some of the greatest biodiversity on the entire planet. In addition, the local town of Iporanga offers amenities like pool halls, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. All of the staff at IPBio are heavily invested in their work, and they are excited to share this work and community with visitors- they make sure that you are well and enjoying your time with IPBio.

For me, ipbio was an awesome opportunity to discover brazil and live a new expreience, and i was not disappointed. IPbio team take care of you to simplify the integration in a new community.After this, volunteers have lot of choice , for me , that’s was : - Tree inventory : it’s the mapping of tree in the reserva betary - Reverse maintenance : i help for the construction of the release center Celine The Celine’s construction was really cool , see the evolution of the center after each task is rewarding. The reserve is located next to lot of activities like boia cross, running, cave or waterfall , we can not be bored during free time. Finally, IPBIO is my best experience and i will be a pleasure to return.

I worked as a BioAcoustics Researcher with IPBio for two months as the 2nd volunteer to work on the project. As an Engineer with a love of the outdoors, I wanted to work on something technical, something I would find meaningful, but have this role in a place well outside of my comfort zone. This project absolutely met these two requirements. On a day-to-day basis I would hike to collect audio files, listen to and annotate the sounds I collected, work with a field biologist to identify different animal species by their vocalizations, and teach a computer how to recognize patterns and vocalizations in the future. The ultimate goal of this project is to track the incredible biodiversity in the North Atlantic Forest by tracking the sounds of the forest, and my day to day work alone would have given me enough stories to bring back home to make this volunteer program worth joining. The opportunities off the Reserve were equally amazing. With other volunteers from around the world, I was able to explore caves, climb waterfalls, explore the local culture and do various other small trips that are not available anywhere else in the world. The last two months have been some of the most unique and story-worthy in my life, and if you have the chance, I would 100% recommend volunteering with IPBio. You will find yourself well out of your comfort zone, in an interesting place with interesting people, and there is no better place for a story to happen.

I spent three weeks at the biodiversity research center IPBio, which is located in the middle of the beautiful atlantic rainforest. My task as volunteer was, to take picturest (and also some videos) of the daily life and the projects of the other volunteers. For example the tree inventory, the bioluminescent mushroom project, bioaccoustic, tadpole project, gardening, reserve maintenance, bird ecology etc. Beside their volunteer projects I captured also the weekend activities. As the reserve is surrounded by amazing nature their are many nice things to do. We visited a lot of caves (the region is also called the cave capital of Brazil), waterfalls, went hiking, Boia Cross, BBQ,... I totally enjoyed every day I spend at IPBio and can highly recommend to come here! And if you have the possibility, stay longer than I did ;)

I am from the United States and volunteered with IPBio's Bioacoustics Project for just over 5 months in total. Overall, the past 5 months have been fantastic and I feel incredibly fortunate to have this kind of an opportunity. My background is in engineering and physics, so I was especially excited to find a technical volunteer opportunity abroad with such a direct impact on conservation research efforts. My typical week on the bioacoustics project included hiking up into the forest to collect audio data, listening to the audio recordings and teaching the software to recognize each individual type of species vocalization, and brushing up on my coding skills to create an analysis program. In all, I found the work very rewarding, relevant, and am able to see the direct impact of my work. I greatly enjoyed working with and getting to know the staff and other volunteers at IPBio. They are a very kind, helpful, and welcoming group of people who I am going to miss quite a lot! Everyone at the Betary Reserve was very dedicated and was working toward IPBio's vision. I always felt comfortable asking for help or advice, whether work-related or not. While not strictly necessary for the volunteer program, I would recommend learning at least a little Portuguese prior to arriving in Iporanga because many staff members do not speak English fluently and a little Portuguese can go a long way! The volunteer house was kept up quite well, but could feel a bit cramped at times when we were at full volunteer capacity. This shouldn't be an issue soon, though, because IPBio is in the process of building a new, bigger volunteer house that should alleviate this problem! After 5 months of living on the Betary Reserve, I still have yet to complete my Iporanga bucket list. There are endless caves, waterfalls, and trails to explore in the gorgeous Vale do Ribeira, and countless weekend trips to nearby attractions. Overall, my time at IPBio was a fantastic experience that I will always keep close to my heart. I 100% recommend volunteering here and look forward to continuing to volunteer with IPBio remotely from home in the United States!

I was a volunteer for six months at the betary reserve in their bioluminescent mushroom program. The mushroom program itself is great. The nice thing about the mushroom program is that it is very research oriented. I was given some practical skills and guidance and the general idea of what they want to accomplish, and then was left to do the projects rather independently. The reserve is in a nice location, in a lush forest full of animals and birds, so for anyone that likes nature it is perfect. The area the reserve is in is full of caves and waterfalls too, so there is never lack of weekend activities. The staff are extremely supportive and welcoming, but I would recommend learning a bit of Portuguese before coming as it will help with communicating with some members that don't speak english, and other locals. Can't recommend IPBio enough.

I worked at IPBio for two months this summer as a volunteer from the United States. I am currently going into my third year of college working on a degree in Biology. I was looking for an opportunity to do research that complimented my school work and gave me experience in my future field when I ran across IPBio. It was exactly what I was looking for. I worked on a variety of different projects during my time here at IPBio. I wrote research papers and carried out experiments investigating the food preference one of the rare endemic frogs here in the Atlantic Forest as well as setting up a long-term monitoring of local tadpoles to track the progression of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis both for the research institute itself and for a professor at UNICAMPI, Brazil. I was also responsible for feeding the animals in the aquarium and terrariums. I have seen myself gain confidence working in the field and in the lab. Working with the animals here has been an amazing experience that has helped me realize that this is what I want to do with my life! Every morning, I woke up, cooked breakfast, and walked 30 seconds to work. Living in the volunteer house on the reserve meant that I was always surrounded by nature. I have spent countless hours during and after work wondering through the forest, marveling at the stunning biodiversity and beauty of the life here. On clear nights, the milky way lights up the sky and the stars provide enough light to walk without a light. It feels like something out of a dream. There really is no way to put into words the beauty both on the reserve and the surrounding area. IPBio is located just outside PETAR, a national park with hundreds of caves and waterfalls. On the weekends, I visited some of these caves with other volunteers. Every trip I took blew me away. The guides were extremely friendly and the sites were all magnificent. I realize that it is very cheesy, but the past two months here really have changed my life. The hospitality and selflessness that everyone has shown me has inspired me, and the scientific realizations that I have made will hopefully lead to future studies back at school and a career in biology. I would recommend this program to anyone who is even remotely interested in science, loves the natural world, and is ready for an adventure!

Estive no Ipbio durante ótimas 3 semanas. A estrutura do instituto nos oferece tudo o que é necessário e a equipe todo o suporte. Como estudante de engenharia florestal foi uma experiência incrível pois pude auxiliar em uma lista de flora da reserva Betary, além de trabalhar com peixes, tartarugas e análise de desenvolvimento de girinos. Durante o tempo livre pude Visitar belos lugares da região, como cavernas e cachoeiras, e me divertir com novos amigos de diferentes lugares. Fui muito bem recebida por todos, que fizeram questão de me acolher desde o momento da aplicação até a minha volta. . Pude praticar diferentes idiomas, fotografar a região do Vale do Ribeira, onde existe a maior extensão de Mata Atlântica contínua preservada e conhecer mais sobre comunidades tradicionais da região. Sentirei saudades e voltaria com certeza!

I had an excellent time working at IPBio. My work was varied, and I was able to help in different areas across the reserve. I helped to facilitate the reserves amphibian research program wherein I hiked across the reserve weekly doing field work. In addition, I updated the reserves volunteer package and helped to produce several informational packages. Living at the reserve was very comfortable, and on the weekends we engaged in numerous activities including: exploring caves, hiking to waterfalls, tubing down rivers, and much more. Overall, my time at IPBio could not have been better spent. I met some incredible people from all over the world and learned a lot. The landscape was stunning, and the rainforest unforgettable.

I had a wonderful time at Reserva Betary! Living in the middle of the rainforest was so different from everything I knew! I worked with Rafael, the gardener. Helping him with trail maintenance was a good choice for me. Even though it was definitely the hardest I have ever physically worked, the environment is so different to what I am used to and there was so much new to learn and see. I enjoyed my time in the garden very much. Rafael is the most patient and kind person, and we got along really well. In general, the people I lived with are all together extraordinary and make you feel like you are at home here. Everybody seems very happy to welcome you. Living with the other volunteers was also very cool. Since it was my first time volunteering, I expected there to be more difficulties, but we had a great time! Summing it all up, I definitely recommend staying. I am sure you will enjoy your time there!

Antonia, Germany, 18 years, 3 months as a bioluminescent mushroom researcher When I started looking for volunteer programs abroad focusing on research, there weren't many to find, if at all (with no professional experience on my side). I was very lucky to find the Bioluminescent Mushroom Researching Program and it sounded really cool (I mean glowing mushrooms!). After I applied everything happened fast, their volunteer coordinator replied the next day, I got all the necessary information and we skyped shortly afterwards. So I was to become a bioluminescent mushroom researcher for 3 months (09/16-12/16)! Before and during my stay, IPBio was really taking care, responding quickly, providing all the necessary information and helping where they could. There were only two things I would have liked to know or to have it emphasized: Me and the other "mushroom girl" were the first mushroom volunteers thus we started from scratch and had to experience a lot of failure and the researching was more of a cultivation attempt than "researching" as I had had it in mind. But, the positive side of it was that we were really able to work independently and contribute own ideas that were realised, it was fun! Plus, the whole IPBio team consists of young, partly international, motivated people, always nice to have around. And they were always around since you work together and spend most of your free time together, barbecuing, hiking, drinking a caipirinha from time to time.. They are great! The second thing, I liked to have had emphasized was the fact that you live in a little cabin/bungalow in the Betary Reserve in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees. That can be cool, but in my case there was only one other volunteer and thank god we liked each other (otherwise we probably would have ended like good old Jack Torrance :D)! The rest of the team lives in town, 6km away. Well, you can like it or you don't, I think it's just important to know that it can get really desolate and isolating if there aren't at least 2-3 other volunteers around, even if the place is stunningly beautiful. More about the mushroom researching: For Sierra (the other volunteer) and me the plan was to try different substrates to cultivate the mushroom on, to find the best and to optimize the cultivation process focusing on other factors like speed of growth, cost etc. After the first round of tests we had to lower our expectations a bit and focus on the sterilization process and other factors that might have caused the failure. In the end we had loads of information and had tried many different ways of doing what we did but unfortunately still couldn't really show a result. But, we decided on the next steps to take, unfortunately for us, they were to be taken by the next mushroom researchers. But I'll keep up and check from Germany how they are doing! :D All in all I had a great time, I was able to meet awesome knew people, learn more about mushrooms and the atlantic rainforest in general and to be responsible for myself in the middle of nowhere, without even speaking Portuguese (what I should have learned in advance however, language can become a real barrier). Plus, IPBio and its volunteer program are really young and still to develop. The things I criticized all relate to the fact that Sierra and me belong to the first volunteers to ever have been there and I really believe that IPBio has a great potential and the right people working there to achieve the improvement and development they are capable of! And they need you next volunteers to get there :) I also think I’m going to come back at some point, when I’m a bit older and the volunteer program a bit further, because it simply is a beautiful place!

Staying for a month at IPBio Reserve enabled me to learn about a wide range of paramount fields within the International volunteering actions. From the fascinating scientific research projects of the Institute to the discovery of the World Natural Heritage that the Atlantic Forest represents, there is so much that has caught my interests. I mainly did some gardening, outdoor maintenance in the Reserve, taking care of vegetable patches, Begonia Herbarium and all sorts of plantations. Work closely with the gardener was an amazing opportunity to learn from him, and be directly immersed in the local life. There are projects to be done at any time, any kind of weather, and developing adaptation skills is essential, in order to be able to enjoy fully the diversed missions of the Research Institute. I particularly enjoyed being around locals and having lots of occasions to discover Brazilian authentic life, and wildlife. Everyone is so welcoming, that you can only leave thinking you have to be back one day. IPBio Institute is key to the conservation of the biodiversity, and volunteering there will truly make you feel part of the protection of our Future.

The volunteer program at IPBio was an absolute joy to be part of. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. The center is well equipped and all necessary utilities are found on site. The Vale do Ribeira region is breathtaking and offers plenty of activities when off work. Research and work here puts you in touch with nature and helps one form an understanding of the challenges we face in preserving the health our world for future generations. I highly recommend a volunteer experience at IPBio.

Very good experience! Reserva betary, where IPBIO is situated, is a beautiful place where you can enjoy wild nature in the Atlantic forest. Moreover it is very close to PETAR state park which is famous, among other things, for the beautiful caves that you can find there. I have been working with frogs biodiversity which allowed me to enjoy long hikes in the forest and also to earn some knowledge about the animals who live here in the reserve. The closest town, Iporanga, is a lovely place with only in the middle of the forest and it is also nice to go there to just hang around. The staff is very friendly and sometimes we hanged out all together after work in town. Very recommended.

I would suggest volunteering at IPBio to anyone interested in ecology. The staff at the reserve were great and always willing to teach and help. The area itself is very stunning with heavily forested hills and running streams.

I am in love with Iporanga, the forest and the people at IPBio! I studied biology at UQAM in Montreal, Canada, and wanted to apply my skills with my desire to travel abroad. I was pleasantly surprised to find a voluntary role related to research as this is very uncommon and when the volunteer coordinator got back to me with all the helpful information that I needed to make my trip a reality I accepted quickly as I realized this organization was serious. Three weeks later I was in Brazil studying frog biodiversity of the Betary Reserve. This place is paradise and now I really don’t want to leave and have already made plans to come back soon. When I arrived I was thrilled to find a fully functional research lab (with an aquarium and greenhouse), a lovely cabin where volunteers can stay with hot showers and a cozy kitchen. It was a real luxury considering I was heading into the middle of the forest. But what really makes this place is the people. The whole team is so warm, helpful, patient and really want to support your learning and they make sure you get the most out of your stay. They became my friends fast and we organize weekend activities together like visiting caves or waterfalls. My role studying frog biodiversity is so interesting and a lot of fun. 3 times a week I go out in forest 9am to 12am tour the pitfalls to identify the presence of frogs. I really enjoy walking through the forest and I am always accompanied to make sure of my safety and so we can chat. The rest of the day, I analyse existing videos of frogs or I have Portuguese lessons with a great tutor. I will never forget the smell of the forest and the mornings when you get up to the sound of birds singing and even howler monkeys chattering. All I know is that I will come back as soon as possible.

I am undertaking a 5 month internship at IPBio studying the effects of forest successional stages on the abundance of mammals on the reserve. I use camera traps and so far I have caught: a fieldmouse, tayra, opossum, paca, racoon and a capuchin monkey. I also support with organizing mammal footage for a documentary IPBio will soon produce. The weekends are just as fun with activities such as buoy cross down the river, exploration of caves, hiking and swimming in waterfalls. I have enjoyed my time here and would really recommend this organization to other volunteers.

IPBio was a dream come true. I have been searching for over 3 years for an NGO whose mission I truly wish to support and finally I found it. I came to IPBio as a volunteer having had it recommended to me by various people. After speaking to the manager, Ana, we agreed that I would come to IPBio with 2 goals in mind: structure their volunteer program and fundraise for a environmental education program they we conceptualizing. As many trusted and experienced people had told me such great things about IPBio, I was worried that it wouldn't meet my expectations.. but in fact it surpassed them three-fold! Walking onto the reserve you pass a beautiful wooden bridge over the river and find a hidden state of the art research center in the middle of the forest. After meeting the staff and really discussing their future plans, I was already in love with IPBio and knew I wanted to stay. Over the next 3 months, I worked hard to organize the volunteer program, we managed to meet our fundraising goal for the education program and I wrote a grant which we won for bioacoustics equipment. Soon after, IPBio offered me a position and now I will be working at the organization as the volunteer and communication manager. This place is paradise and I am glad I found a way to stay. The region (forest, wildlife, caves, rivers, waterfalls) to the infrastructure (lab, greenhouse, aquarium) to the topics of research (bioluminescent mushrooms, mammals, amphibians) to the larger plan of creating various IPBio's across Brazil, this place captured my dream: to live in a remote area surrounded by nature which also sparked my intellectual curiosity and drive. IPBio is now home.