Help Protect the Wild West and Lake Tahoe!

  United States

Reno

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Ongoing (Please refer to Description for 2009-2010 session dates)

Description: Located in the American West, Nevada lies east of California and north of Arizona. Nevada's landscape is the most mountainous and geologically diverse in the United States. With a life zone ranging from an elevation of 200 feet to over 13,000 feet, Nevada harbors some of the most sensitive and fragile species of flora and fauna found in North America. From the low arid desert of Death Valley to the peaks of southern Nevada's Spring Mountains, from Great Basin National Park in the east to Lake Tahoe in the west, Nevada is a unique and beautiful region. San Francisco is just a four hour drive to the west. The Sierra Nevada Mountains stretch hundreds of miles, a wilderness of snowy peaks, lakes, and ancient pines perfect for hiking, biking, and camping. Participation in the program includes NCC-sponsored trips to the region's premier natural attractions, which vary from year to year, including Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Pyramid Lake, local hot springs, and other natural attractions.

The Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC) and International Conservation Volunteer Exchange (ICVE) work throughout the state of Nevada placing interns and volunteers on wilderness and conservation projects in collaboration with twenty-five national and regional agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, National Park Service, Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, and Nevada Division of Wildlife, as well as many non-profit organizations.

International volunteers can spend 6 weeks to 6 months volunteering with ICVE.

A typical service week will involve 4 to 8 ten-hour days in the field followed by either 3 days or 6 days of leisure time, respectively. This schedule includes travel time to and from the job site, as well as educational sessions provided by our agencies. The schedule is set up to allow participants extra leisure time to explore and travel in our spectacular region.

While in the field, crew members will be either camping in primitive wilderness settings or in developed campgrounds. Living in the field can be hard work, however, living like this also means good company beside a campfire, watching for shooting stars, and enjoying the peace and quiet of a short respite from the city.

Projects and dates include:

2009-2010 SESSION DATES

Winter

    * January 2 - March 13, 2009: Ten week program

Spring/Summer

    * March 11 - May 22, 2009: Ten week program
    * May 20 - August 28, 2009: Fourteen week program
    * May 20 - July 10, 2009: Seven week program
    * July 8 - August 28, 2009: Seven week program

Autumn/Winter

    * August 26 - November 6, 2009: Ten week program
    * November 4, 2009 - January 1, 2010: Eight week program
    * Autumn and winter projects will be based out of Southern Nevada in the
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park, and the South McCullough Wilderness Area.

    * Summer projects will be based out of Northern Nevada in the Lake Tahoe Basin, Great Basin National Park, and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

**These dates are tentative and volunteers are welcome to stay longer if desired.

**It is recommended to apply early as visa arrangements can sometimes be complicated and take some time.

Qualifications: The only mental requirements you need are a positive attitude towards work, a propensity for adventure, and a desire to make a difference. Keep in mind that this work is outdoor work. Strenuous hiking is sometimes required and adverse weather conditions are frequently encountered. Volunteers should be reasonably fit and comfortable with outdoor living. Due to the strenuous nature of the work, the NCC/ICVE is not recommended for persons who posess conditions that limit extensive physical activity.

Cost in US$: Travel to the U.S., required gear, and off-time expenses

Volunteers are also required to bring a $150 refundable tent and lodging deposit.

Please remember that this is a volunteer position, and volunteers are not paid for services rendered.

Credit Available: yes

Salary / Pay: Volunteers are provided with lodging at a house with full amenities across the street from the University of Nevada-Reno. Food is provided while volunteers are in the field and a food stipend is distributed during time off at a rate of $8 per day per person. The ICVE also sponsors and leads one recreational weekend trip during each session.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers are usually college age students looking for practical experience with working in the environmental conservation field.

Age Range: 18-35

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

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-10

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Nevada Conservation Corps/ International Conservation Volunteer Exchange's Mission Statement: International Conservation Volunteer Exchange is a volunteer program for International participants who wish to collaborate with American work crews on environmental projects throughout Nevada's public lands. ICVE is based on the philosophy that international understanding and goodwill can be achieved through cooperating on the shared goal of improving the environment. By attracting a corps of conservation-minded volunteers, ICVE contributes to the breakdown of cultural barriers while advancing ecological awareness on a global scale.

Year Founded: 1997