Conservation and reforestation of the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil
     Itacaré and Janaina Nature Reserve          August 15 - August 30, 2008

Volunteer project: Itacaré lies 300 km south of Salvador de Bahia and Janaina Nature Reserve is located 10 km from Itacaré as the crow flies. It’s a private pristine rain forest, protected under Brazilian federal law. Six hectares of the forest are devoted to permaculture with the aim of creating a model school for local communities. The Reserve belongs to the Atlantic Forest biome, one the world’s richest in biodiversity, of which at present only 8% remains. In 2000 the Atlantic Forest in Bahia was declared by Unesco a Reserve of the Biosphere. In the Janaina Reserve, an international volunteer project is organized in cooperation with a local sustainable development organization, managing the area and also working with some local farmers’ cooperatives in the fair trade net.

The project's participants will be working in various projects of conservation, while having the rare opportunity of living in a pristine forest and having great opportunities of wild life watching.
The main tasks will be: reforestation in some small but critical border areas of the forest, permaculture, anti-fire and anti-hunting watch. In August it will be possible to plant the tree saplings raised in the nursery where the seeds are put in January.
Participants will also be taught all the basic principles of handcrafted chocolate production: from harvesting to fermentation, drying, roasting of beans and finally handwork processing. Participants will also be able to learn some elements of tropical botany and forestry farming.
The project activities will be held from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday participants will be staying in Itacaré.

Itacaré is a beautiful coastal village, the rainforest reach the beaches and there are magnificent waves. Till ten years ago it was only a little fishermen’s village from where cocoa was shipped all around the world. The area was named Costa do Cacao and its capital town Ilheus is the setting of many novels by Jorge Amado.

Special requirements: Please send a clearly stated motivation and previous experience with your application. Good physical shape is important due to the climate conditions (heat, humidity and temperature range).

Language: The official language of the project is English. Portuguese is the only language spoken by local people. Some basic knowledge of Portuguese will be useful, although some representatives of the local host will always be there and they are able to speak some English, Italian and Spanish.

Accommodation: There is a very basic wooden house where hammocks are hanged. Otherwise participants can sleep in a tent. The temperature range is wide: in the night it is 26°C in January and 18°C in August, in case of rain. Vegetarian food will be provided: mainly rice, beans, eggs, local fruit and vegetables. Traditional wood fire will be used for cooking. Remains will be used for composting.
On week-ends: Itacaré is reached by a two hours walk in the forest to the river and then by boat. The same for regaining the Forest at the end of the week-end. On the river dolphins are frequently spotted.

Location: Itacaré and Janaina Nature Reserve, area of Salvador the Bahia

Arrival remark: Participants will be picked up by the local host in Salvador de Bahia and will be taken back at the end of the project.

Age range: 21 and over

Extra fee: 280 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

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