Environmental Conservation Worker

The program

This varied and important conservation program works in parks and sanctuaries across the Wellington region to help protect precious natural places and their inhabitants. Volunteers on this program could work on any number of projects in many locations, dependent on need at the time. From a project aiming to plant 100,000 native trees in inner-city Wellington parks to restoring wetlands and working in wildlife sanctuaries on predator control, all these projects play an essential role in protecting and enhancing the Wellington region’s unique natural heritage. Sanctuaries play an absolutely vital role in protecting and conserving New Zealand’s unique biodiversity and animal species. By creating a pest-free environment, and re-introducing species into protected spaces, sanctuaries strive to re-create a landscape that pre-dates the arrival of pests. Volunteers on this program can work within sanctuaries on projects to protect native species and regenerate native forest and wetland. New Zealand has many native species of birds that are in grave danger of extinction, along with giant snails, frogs, lizards and fish. Volunteers will also work on replanting projects to restore native bush areas which pests have. From working with the most threatened species, to assisting in environmental restoration, volunteers make a huge difference on this program.

Goals of this Project:

• Help to protect animals in danger of extinction
• Preserve native forest areas and national parks
• Create welcoming green spaces within inner-city parks
• Enable inter-cultural exchange between all parties and teach international visitors more about environmental practices and New Zealand

How you can help

Volunteers on this crucial program will learn a huge amount about conservation practices and play an important role in conserving the Wellington region’s natural environment. Days are likely to be varied, working on any number of essential projects in reserves and sanctuaries, from track construction and maintenance, interpretive signage, fencing, weed control, revegetation activities and other practical actions in line with park management plans. Volunteers may also work on wildlife surveys and support specialized species programs such as captive breeding programs, radio tracking and species release activities as well as predator control initiatives. Volunteers makes practical contributions to a sustainable future for threatened species, working with recovery experts, following scientifically-validated plans and in so doing make a meaningful contribution to biodiversity preservation of this region. Working in a team of up to 10 other international volunteers, teams work alongside local communities, environmental groups, universities and conservation experts on well-planned and managed, safe, valid and essential projects. Full training is given by project team leaders.

Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and on any number on environmental or wildlife projects and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Work in a wildlife sanctuary on predator control initiatives
• Tree planting
• Walking trail construction
• Wildlife surveys
• Seed collection
• Weed control
• Heritage restoration

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:30am Breakfast at the accommodation

8:00am Walk or bus to the project site

8:30am Pre-start meeting with the project supervisor

9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

Lunch is taken at the project site.

3:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

3:10pm Debrief with the project supervisor

3:30pm Walk or bus back to accommodation

Afternoons and evenings are free to relax, keep in touch with friends and family (please note that wifi may not be available at the project location) and explore the local area.

6:30pm Dinner at the accommodation.

Volunteers help prepare the evening meal.

This project takes place in New Zealand's capital city. Wellington lies at the base of the North Island and is renowned for its culture, restaurants and heritage attractions. A short drive from the city sees you immersed in national parks, rural farms and nature in all its abundance. 

Famous for its stunning landscapes, impressive topography and crystal clear Pacific Ocean waters, New Zealand offers a vast array of activities for locals and international visitors alike.