Volunteer in the Alaskan Wilderness

  United States

Fairbanks,  Juneau,  Sitka

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Ongoing opportunity

Description: Located in 'The Great Land' this program is a unique opportunity to experience true Northern culture. Alaska has been deemed 'The Last Frontier' because so much of the land resembles an untouched wilderness and offers many opportunities to view landscape and wildlife in a truly wild setting.

Currently, the Global Volunteer Network has volunteer opportunities through our partner organization in Alaska; this organization is a private, non-profit organization registered in the United States.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in environmental field work of varying degrees, including trail maintenance and organic farming, research, conservation education, community outreach, park maintenance, plant conservation, and environmental activism.

This volunteer program is intended to provide practical and hands-on experience for individuals interested in making an environmental contribution to the global community at large while focusing on a very special part of the world: Alaska. Volunteers have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects under the supervision of the resident researchers, environmental education instructors, and administrative staff.

Volunteers are placed in different projects located around the state of Alaska, as far south as Sitka, as far north as Fairbanks, and everywhere in between. We expect volunteers to work full days like all other employees and are not coming to Alaska for a holiday; they should be able to undertake strenuous and sometimes tedious labor in often cold climates, and in the winter months expect minimal light.

Highlights: The projects we place volunteers in are detailed below. Each project is different and in turn has different requirements for each volunteer. In addition, because the projects are located in different parts of a very vast state they have very different climates.

* Eagle River, Alaska, located within Chugach State Park, is a popular hiking area surrounded by high peaks and rich in wildlife. Volunteers will act as Assistant Natural History Interpreters, providing visitor information services, leading nature walks on the Rodak Nature Trail, some trail and facilities maintenance/janitorial tasks, and opportunities for independent projects.

* Situated in northern Alaska, Fairbanks is the gateway to Alaska's Interior and Arctic. Volunteers on this project will work at a day camp for children of all ages, where children learn about the ecosystems of Interior Alaska, including the people, plants, and animals that call Alaska home. Volunteers will help with all aspects including playing games, doing crafts, singing songs, taking hikes, and growing food in the garden.

* Located in Homer, known as the halibut capital of the world, this project takes place on the beautiful bank of Kachemak Bay, a sheltered arm of lower Cook Inlet, and is easily accessible by land, air or sea. There are two options within this project: volunteers will either be working with an environmental education group or the historic Pratt Museum.

* The Kodiak Island Archipelago is a large group of islands about 30 miles off the coast of Alaska. The archipelago is about 177 miles long and encompasses nearly 5,000 square miles. Considered Alaskas Emerald Ilse because of its lush green terrain, Kodiak is a unique Alaskan experience. Here volunteers will work with the Alutiiq Museum on various projects ranging from trial maintenance and cleanup to an archaeological dig.

* Seward is a small coastal town known for its scenic views, numerous visitor and adventure attractions, and being the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. This volunteer project will take place at our partners non-profit marine science center dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education.

* Soldotna, located just 140 miles via scenic highway from Anchorage, is the central hub of the Kenai Peninsula. There are two facets of this project: restoring a productive salmon spawning and rearing stream, and monitoring the amount of fuel entering the river during periods of peak recreational activity.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 18 years or over, have no major health problems, be physically fit, and be proficient in English.

Cost in US$: See Website

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years and up

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and Kiwi Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-20

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement: The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a private, Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our incorporation number is WN/1194442. Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

Year Founded: 2000