Climate Change & Island Habitats
Coordinator | Natalie
Coordinator | Natalie
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Learn about how climate change is affecting island nations
Assist in the preservation of Curieuse island
Contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #14, Life Below Water, and #15, Life On Land
Earn experience in conservation
Live sustainably on a virtually uninhabited island with a community of like-minded individuals
Travel to the tiny tropical island of Curieuse to learn about the effects of climate change on Small Island Developing States
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Islands are fragile habitats and often the only home of endangered and threatened species, like Hawksbill sea turtles and giant Aldabra tortoises. Island Nations, like Seychelles, are at the forefront of environmental challenges presented by climate change. Trends like rising sea levels, coastal erosion, seasonal change, and coral bleaching, can have dramatic impacts on islands environments.
The data you collect will be used by local authorities to make decisions about sustainable management of the island.
You will receive the following training & workshops whilst on project.
- Monitoring Induction: Training provided by our staff on the techniques and best practices for conducting research in the field.
- Plastic Presentation: A presentation highlighting the issue with plastic and measures that can be taken to help reduce plastic consumption.
- Sea Turtle Beach Surveys: Learn how to study the nesting success of Hawksbill and Green turtles. You will find out how to collect data on tag numbers, carapace (shell) measurements, and the number of eggs laid. You might also carry out nest excavations to measure hatching success
- Coco de Mer Growth Survey: Learn how to collect growth and reproductive data related to the native Coco de Mer palm tree.
- Mangrove Mapping: Learn how to investigate seedling recruitment, a term used to describe when a young plant has joined a population of plants, the mortality of seedlings, and species distribution across the mangrove forests of Curieuse island.
- Tortoise Population Census: Learn about our annual census of the island's giant Aldabra tortoise population. You will also find out how to collect data on the growth rates of hatchlings and juvenile tortoises in the nursery.
- Sicklefin Lemon Shark Monitoring: Learn about our catch-and-release sicklefin lemon shark project. Find out how shark pups are safely caught to gather population and growth rate information on this understudied species.
- Beach Profiling: Learn how to record the rate of coastal erosion to assist in our beach profiling surveys.
- Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVs): Participants are shown how to correctly set up a BRUV, including rigging, baiting, and camera setup. Correct handling techniques are also taught for safe deployments and retrievals of the frames, and participants may be trained in fish identification to assist with video analysis.
- Boat and Snorkelling Orientation: Detailed lessons on the boat procedures, including knot tying, entry and exit procedures, as well as emergency plans.
- Coconut Husking Lesson: Participants are shown the correct technique for husking a coconut and have the opportunity to practice preparing a coconut to eat or to use as a beverage.
- Invasive Species Eradication: Learn about how species like cinnamon, cocoplum, and rats cause damage to island flora and fauna and what is being done to remove these species.
Tortoise Conservation
Shark Conservation
Waste Reduction
Marine Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
Giant Tortoise
Blacktip Reef Shark
Plastic Reduction
Coral Reef
Marine Conservation
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Typical day
Volunteer work is Monday through to Friday with weekends free to explore.
Conduct beach profiles to measure how higher sea levels and more forceful waves are resulting in coastal erosion impacting critically endangered species like the Hawksbill sea turtle. Carry out surveys of mangroves to learn how rising sea levels are affecting mangrove forests and conduct biodiversity studies to investigate how seasonal changes are impacting species.
It is important to note that a high level of physical fitness is required as this program involves quite a bit of hiking over uneven terrains.
Free-time activities
You will be based in and around national parks in the main group of islands, and working on a diverse range of wildlife and habitats on and around Curieuse Island. Access to and from the island is only by boat so travel to other islands is limited to weekends. Praslin has a limited, cheap bus service and taxis are easily available. For further exploration you may choose to hire a car on Praslin or make use of the inter-island ferry services between the other islands.
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect one or two free days per week, usually at weekends. In this time you could explore the islands of Praslin or La Digue, visit the capital of Mahé, Victoria (although the ferry to Mahe is relatively expensive), visit local beaches, snorkel or just relax on base. Before and after your program you could spend a little more time in the Seychelles on the close-by islands of Praslin and La Digue, or join a charter to sail even further afield. Please allow several days if you hope to travel between islands, there are over 100 in the archipelago but getting around takes time – the possibilities are endless!
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect one or two free days per week, usually at weekends. In this time you could explore the islands of Praslin or La Digue, visit the capital of Mahé, Victoria (although the ferry to Mahe is relatively expensive), visit local beaches, snorkel or just relax on base. Before and after your program you could spend a little more time in the Seychelles on the close-by islands of Praslin and La Digue, or join a charter to sail even further afield. Please allow several days if you hope to travel between islands, there are over 100 in the archipelago but getting around takes time – the possibilities are endless!
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Sports
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
at High School level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No specific skills are required and all training is provided in country
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Meeting Point on your Project Start Date: On the morning of the expedition the pickup point will be next to the car park behind the Pearl Noire restaurant in Beau Vallon at 09:00 AM. It is essential that you are on time.
The GVI Pick Up Service: 07:30 AM the day before your program start date, you will be dropped off at Beau Vallon. You are responsible for your own pre-program accommodation.
The GVI Pick Up Service: 07:30 AM the day before your program start date, you will be dropped off at Beau Vallon. You are responsible for your own pre-program accommodation.
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) dorm rooms. There is cold running water available for showers and bottled water available for drinking. Bathroom facilities are shared, and participants also share base duties, including cleaning and other chores.
Participants take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic but nutritious, and primarily vegetarian with optional fish or meat available no more than once or twice a week. Breakfast could be porridge with fresh fruit, or occasionally pancakes or cereal, lunch and evening meals may include pasta, beans, rice, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, etc.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) in Mahe Island. We assist you to find cheap flights to Seychelles.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Seychelles provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Seychelles you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Seychelles.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost. This added flexibility can be utilised until 31 December 2020.
2020
23 Jan 202106 Feb 202120 Feb 202106 Mar 202120 Mar 202103 Apr 202117 Apr 202101 May 202115 May 202129 May 202112 Jun 202126 Jun 202110 Jul 202124 Jul 202107 Aug 202121 Aug 202104 Sep 202118 Sep 202102 Oct 202116 Oct 202130 Oct 202113 Nov 202127 Nov 2021
- 27 Jun 2020
- 25 Jul 2020
- 22 Aug 2020
- 19 Sep 2020
- 17 Oct 2020
- 14 Nov 2020
2021
09 Jan 2021
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$2,291
3 weeks
$2,719
4 weeks
$3,107
5 weeks
$3,494
6 weeks
$3,882
7 weeks
$4,269
8 weeks
$4,657
9 weeks
$5,045
10 weeks
$5,432
11 weeks
$5,820
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$6,207
Average fees
$831
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Global Vision International (GVI)
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Global Vision International (GVI) during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Climate Change & Island Habitats
Travel to the tiny tropical island of Curieuse to learn about the effects of climate change on Small Island Developing States
$729/week
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