Volunteer with Earthwise Valley Sustainable Living Programme in New Zealand

  New Zealand

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Ongoing

Description: Earthwise Valley is a New Zealand based, charitable, volunteer run, sustainable living project. We are based in the New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula, a rare haven for nature with rainforest running continuously from mountain top all the way down to the Pacific ocean. Volcanic cliffs rise abruptly from the Pacific with many caves and sea arches. Nearby white sandy beaches are breeding grounds for migratory seabirds, and seals & whales frequent the coastline.

We believe that our Earth is not a commodity, but our community. We work to encourage our global community to increase sustainability and participate in conservation activities that restore native forest ecology. We're taking direct action to create an ecologically sound Centre for Sustainable Living. This includes revitalising degraded farmland, growing and planting trees, controlling animal pests and weeds, using organic and permacultural techniques, and native bush research.

Our volunteer programme suits people interested in learning about sustainable living, enjoying the outdoors, and living a saner, richer and simpler life. Take part as a residential volunteer and you'll experience New Zealand in a very special way while making a real contribution to Nature.

Highlights: Our volunteer programmes include plenty of free time for personal growth and a time-proven programme of recreation trips run continuously throughout the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Activities include seakayaking, hiking (tramping) and camping, horse-riding, and swimming. Recreation also involves gentler activities like reading, board games, flax-weaving, yoga, meditation, art and music.

The Sanctuary provides opportunities for people to step out of the mainstream world and explore ways of living sustainably, to lighten our ecological footprint - a way for travellers to give something back to Nature, while still experiencing some of the best adventures and sharing life with locals. Our efforts to live more sustainably include permacultural food production - with organic gardens and fruit trees, experimenting with earth building techniques, timber plantations, adopting renewable energy - windmills, solar panels and micro-hydro generation.

Qualifications: You do not need any particular qualifications to volunteer with us. If you can answer 'yes' to most of the following questions, then you are the kind of person we are looking for!

    * Are you interested in learning to live in a way that's sustainable with the Earth's resources?
    * Do you love nature? Rain or shine? Bugs as well as bunnies?
    * "I'd rather want what I have than have what I want"
    * Can you survive and thrive on vegetarian, un-fast food?
    * Would you be comfortable using an outdoor loo? Camping? Sleeping under the stars?
    * Can you handle living with lots of new faces and new personalities?
    * Are you OK being away from friends and family for several weeks or months?
    * Are you responsible, mature, open minded?
    * Are you fit? Healthy? Happy? Can you handle a long walk? Chop wood and carry water?
    * Can you work independently sometimes and learn quickly?

Cost in US$: Suggested $420 per week

Earthwise Valley has a lot more to offer - great friends, a stunning valley which is yours to discover and to make your playground, a place where you can try lots of new things and grow with your achievements.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: You should be interested in sustainability and the conservation of a beautiful area of New Zealand's native rainforest, whilst taking part in adventure recreation and sharing your experiences with people from around the world. Typically our volunteers are 18 to 30, very keen on the preservation of the environment, looking to learn new practical skills, and don't mind getting their hands dirty!

Age Range: 18+

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

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

Scholarships are Available. - At Earthwise we understand that some of those who would like to volunteer for us are unable to make the full financial contribution that we request from volunteers to finance our work. For that reason we have a limited amount of scholarship placements where the Valley will subsidise part or all of the contribution costs. We are often happy to help cover living costs for folks who are not able to meet all expenses. However, when we spend the money to cover your costs, that means the rainforest and valley are getting less of what they need. What does this mean? BE HONEST, with yourself and with us, about what expenses you can cover during your trip. Some folks are unable to meet the full cost but still cover expenses for food and special trips. Other folks cover 75% or 50% of the weekly donation, or make a one time lump payment of whatever they feel they can afford. Please let us know.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Earthwise Valley's Mission Statement: We're taking direct action to create an ecologically sound Centre for Sustainable Living. This includes revitalising degraded farmland, growing and planting trees, controlling animal pests and weeds, using organic and permacultural techniques, and native bush research. The Valley relies on your support - we need your donations, loans, advice, and physical labour to make a difference.

Year Founded: 1999