Volunteer Opportunities in Amazonian Conservation

ACA and ACCA are creative, hard-working, high-energy conservation groups and we welcome volunteers with the same qualities. Our volunteer positions are highly competitive and typically won by candidates with specialized skills, relevant experience, good language skills, a significant time commitment, and independent funding. Opportunities vary between our different sites and change frequently, so please read the descriptions below carefully. We do not currently consider applications for volunteer positions other than those described below.

At ACA’s Washington, DC, Office

The Amazon Conservation Association is seeking motivated volunteers to assist its DC staff in several projects. Duties may include: general office support, donor research, data entry, web updates, filing, editing, mailing, and event planning.

You will learn how we protect more than 400,000 acres of rainforest and how we work with local communities, and get a close look at our ongoing projects in research, conservation, sustainability and microenterprise initiatives. There is always something to do around here to keep you busy!

Interested candidates please send a CV and a brief letter of interest including hours of availability to .

TOP

At Los Amigos Biological Station, Lowland Amazonian Forest, Madre de Dios, Peru

Minimum time commitment is one month. Monthly cost to volunteer, covering room and board at the station, is $900. To apply for any of the following volunteer positions, please send a CV and the application (pdf) to

Specialist in low-impact technologies for rural communities. The successful candidate will design, improve, and/or implement strategies to reduce the ecological footprint of the Amazon’s most active research station. The job requires significant experience with photovoltaic systems, low-impact waste disposal systems, reduction of energy use and carbon emissions, solar water heaters and purifiers, and similar innovations.
Resident artist. The successful candidate will create artwork—paintings, photographs, writing, drawings, or other art—that helps document and publicize work at the Amazon’s most active research station. Learn about and see the work of past resident artists »
English teacher. The successful candidate will spend up to four hours per day teaching English to visiting researchers, students and staff at the Amazon’s most active research station.
Expert gardener/landscaper. The successful candidate will work alongside the station’s Spanish-speaking gardener on the 5-acre campus of the Amazon’s most active research station. One garden contains a living exhibit of more than 100 species of medicinal, edible and ornamental plants; another provides fruit and vegetables to the station kitchen.

Learn more about life at Los Amigos »

Read more about volunteer opportunities at Los Amigos on the TreeHugger blog and hear from a current volunteer from Princeton (see pages 4-6).

TOP

At the Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Station, Cusco, Peru

Sustainable Agriculture and Reforestation

Volunteers will stay on the Wayqecha Cloud Forest research station near Manu Biosphere Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon for a minimum of two weeks. Volunteers work with local Peruvians in developing and maintaining sustainable agriculture which will support the research station and assist in reforestation projects alongside the Research Center staff. The first two weeks cost US$800 ($400 per week) with each additional week costing $250. However, the price of extended stays, longer than 1 month, can be negotiated.

Volunteers are required to work 6 hour days at least 5 days a week and must be

Over 18 years of age
In good physical condition
Able to commit to at least two weeks on site
Able to speak basic Spanish
Experienced in foreign travel

For an application and further information, please contact Adrian Tejedor at

TOP

Setting off. Photo: Raechel Running

Emperor tamarin at Los Amigos. Photo: Lindsay Lough