Volunteer at REGUA
The REGUA volunteer programme has been successfully up and running since the start of 2006. As a volunteer, not only will you have a wonderful experience in a beautiful environment, but you will also be making a genuine contribution to the conservation of the Atlantic Rainforest. You don't need a specialist skill or qualification, just a genuine willingness and enthusiasm to give something back to a worthwhile project in Brazil!
Who can volunteer at REGUA?
Volunteer placements are open to adults of both sexes. It is an ideal opportunity if you are taking a gap year or career break.
Why volunteer at REGUA?
Volunteers bring a wide variety of valuable skills and experience to the REGUA project, and in return we hope to offer volunteers a fulfilling volunteering experience in one of the world's most threatened ecosystems.
What activities and projects can I get involved in as a volunteer?
There are a variety of exciting activities and projects that volunteers can become involved in, with new ones being added all the time:
- Aiding in protection by patrolling the forest with our rangers. You will visit remote and beautiful rainforest rarely visited by people and can see many kinds of birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants.
- Working in our pioneering tree nursery - collecting seeds in the forest with our rangers, planting seeds and caring for saplings.
- Replanting deforested areas. Tree planting is carried out from December to March. To date we have planted 100,000 trees!
- Environmental education - helping with our successful Young Rangers and School Visitation programmes. Both programmes work with students aged 9 to 16 years of age from the local and regional areas, who visit the REGUA Conservation Centre and walk in the reserve. Tasks might include assisting with lessons and field trips.
- Assisting researchers with projects such as surveying tree plots in the forest.
- Monitoring trees in the reforestation programme.
- Maintaining the gardens and infrastructure all in a beautiful state of care.
- Maintaining our extensive network of trails.
- Develop and update information relating to ecotourism, for example, updating the guest information pack and writing content and news reports for our website.
- Teaching English to the Young Rangers and staff.
- Helping with day to day maintenance, such as office duties, maintaining computers and painting outhouse buildings.
- Assisting with report writing, including fund raising applications.
- Assisting with writing the quarterly REGUA newsletter.
- Assist with guests staying at our Guapi Assu Bird Lodge. Tasks might include greeting guests and (for experienced birders) guiding birdwatching guests.
“I had a fantastic time as a REGUA volunteer for three months. I had the opportunity to become involved in a variety of activities including trail marking, patrolling with the rangers in the forest, working in the tree nursery, devising trail leaflets and helping update the website. It is an experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget.”Rachel Walls, UK
Location
REGUA is located in a rural area, two hours north-east of Rio de Janeiro - visit the location page for directions and transport options. There are two small villages within walking distance - Guapiaçu and Matumbo - which have shops and local bars. The nearest town, Cachoeiras de Macacu, is a short bus ride away and has a variety of shops, supermarkets, bars and cafes. Further afield, Nova Friburgo (1.5 hours away) offers a larger variety of shops, restaurants, bars and a cinema, and Rio is easily accessible by bus for weekend trips.
Accommodation and facilities
There are three converted houses to accommodate volunteers. The houses are tended to by maids who provides an excellent cooking, cleaning and laundry service. Each house has bedrooms, toilet and shower (with hot water), a lounge with basic furniture and 110V electricity. There is also a collection of books and games available. Nearby at the REGUA conservation centre, there is a communal kitchen and dining room where meals are prepared and eaten.
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| Volunteer houses 1 (left) and 2. | The lounge inside voluteer house 2. |
Spare time
There are many places of interest to visit during your free time at REGUA and most can be reached via public transport. We have excellent bus links to Rio de Janeiro (approximately three hours away) with it's world famous beaches and tourist attractions, and several local towns such as Nova Friburgo and Cachoeiras de Macacu. REGUA is close to Serra dos Órgãos National Park and Três Picos State Park, which are great places for hiking and the beautiful beach town of Cabo Frio is only a few hours away by bus.
Our ethical policy for volunteers
Our volunteer programme works with the following core principles in mind:
- Volunteers contribute to the delivery of the REGUA objectives.
- The volunteer programme is not a profit making activity.
- REGUA does not use volunteers as alternatives to local employment.
- Volunteers must have a rewarding experience.
The REGUA project needs volunteers to support the existing local team. By becoming a volunteer you will have a unique opportunity to become involved in a local community project in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest.
Previous projects
Past volunteers have contributed in a huge variety of ways including: mapping the Guapiaçu River for signs of otters, surveying tree plots in the forest, mapping the reserve boundary and trails, seed collecting and stocking the tree nursery for our reforestation programme, monitoring the weather, bird photography, assisting guests, building work and writing promotional material for the reserve's ecotourism.
| Requirements | You do not need a specialist skill or qualifications to volunteer with us, just a genuine willingness and enthusiasm to give something back to a worthwhile project in Brazil! You will need the ability to adapt to new environments and cultures (volunteers will work alongside local people), and a good level of physical fitness is required as you will be working in a hot and humid climate. | Cost | US$500 per month. This includes your accommodation, meals, laundry facilities and free internet access in the evenings. Volunteers just cover the costs of their stay at REGUA and no profit is made. |
| Commitment | Minimum of two months. |
| Languages | English or Portuguese. |
| Working hours | Volunteers are expected to work 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. Weekends are free. |
If you are interested in becoming a REGUA volunteer then please complete our volunteer application form and email it to Nicholas and Raquel Locke at aregua@terra.com.br.
Our Volunteer Booklet contains useful information and advice for REGUA volunteers. This document was written by Ineke Hermans who took part in the programme in 2007 and 2008.
Check out our 'Volunteer at REGUA' photo gallery on our Facebook page:
http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/REGUA/50575065591.