Heal the Earth: Environmental Training and Awareness

  New Zealand

• Wellington: 
Wellington

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: please inquire for specific dates

Description: Now the world has finally accepted that climate change is happening right now, what do we do? Volunteers will work in the Wellington office alongside our ecology specialists Jim Kirkham and Toby Malcolm. They will help to give you an insight into the issues that not only affect the native New Zealand ecosystem, but the whole world. You will have the chance to develop your own ideas to educate and raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues and promote ways people can reduce their carbon footprint as well as preserve native flora and fauna.

Please note that the activities you undertake during your volunteer period are not limited to those mentioned here. Once you arrive in NZ we will discuss your specific interests and to a certain degree we can tailor your volunteer time around these.

As well as your work in the office, you will spend several days a week working alongside volunteers within the New Zealand Nature Program. On these days you will have the opportunity to aid local organisations in their work: getting first hand, on-the-ground experience in New Zealand's own conservation and environmental restoration efforts.

Examples of projects you may expect to work on:

    * Replanting native forests
    * Educational visits to Kapiti island - a key offshore sanctuary for New Zealand wildlife (weather permitting)
    * Restoring degraded dune ecosystems
    * Removing pest plants from several native ecosystems (e.g. dunes, forests)
    * Monitoring and control of introduced predators for the protection of native wildlife
    * New Zealand Fur Seal monitoring at several sites in the lower North Island
    * Trash and weed removal from harbour islands.

Highlights: New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, is perched on the shores of a deep natural harbour surrounded by wooded hills. The Wellington region encompasses diverse landforms, indigenous plants and wildlife, and an extensive and varied coastline. Wellington is a centre for threatened species management and has a number of captive breeding facilities working with some of our most rare bird, reptile, and insect species.

Qualifications: As a volunteer on the Heal The Earth Project you must:

    * be 18 years old or over
    * be from NZ, Australia, North or South America, UK, Europe, Japan, China, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, or South Africa. (Please note: if you're not from one of those countries, please submit the application form after you've confirmed you can obtain a NZ entry visa independently and mention this on the application form)
    * have no major health problems
    * be moderately fit (e.g. can hike for several hours over uneven/steep ground)
    * be proficient in English
    * possess initiative and an enthusiasm for the environment
    * be willing to work, rain or shine

Cost in US$: Please inquire for details

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

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