Volunteer in Environment Conservation Project in Sri Lanka

Overview

Join the Environmental Conservation Project in Sri Lanka with Volunteering Solutions and get the opportunity to conduct a range of initiatives that, we believe, will have a lasting impact in addressing the key environmental issues that affect the natural ecosystems of the gorgeous island. Being a part of this program, you'll get to play an active role in impacting the health of our natural environment including, but not limited to, mangrove reforestation, organic farming, recycling education, coral restoration, beach and river cleanups, and building eco-friendly products that benefit the environment.

The broader theme of this project is “Save our Planet” and to help fight the biggest challenge of our times – Climate Change. The goal is to conserve, protect and sustain our natural environment around us, as well as to bring about a change in the way our community thinks about, and acts upon, this important subject. The project covers a wide range of activities and initiatives that positively impact the health of our natural environment including, but not limited to, mangrove reforestation, organic farming, recycling education, coral restoration, beach and river cleanups,and building eco-friendly products that benefit the environment.

Being a part of this conservation volunteer program, you'll get to contribute towards sustainable development and learn to be a responsible traveller.

Background to this Program
We live in a time where the Earth is at its most vulnerable. Natural ecosystems have declined substantially resulting in loss of biodiversity, man-made pollution has reached unimaginable levels and climate change has become humanity’s greatest challenge. It is clear we need to change the way we interact with nature and change fast. In order to preserve the earth for future generations, we not only need to reduce the amount of harm that human activities have on the environment but also support the natural world as much as we can.

Just like the rest of the planet, here in Sri Lanka, the beautiful natural environment needs to be protected and preserved for future generations, as well as for the vast natural flora and fauna that have been native to us for centuries. Environmental conservation is a vast topic that covers multiple areas in different parts of the world. For this project, we have chosen to conduct a range of initiatives that, we believe, will have a lasting impact in addressing the key environmental issues that affect the natural ecosystems of our beloved island.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Saturday: Arrival + House Tour + Initial Training session on safety & security + culture orientation (this is done either on Saturday or Sunday depending on time of arrival)
Sunday: Neighbourhood familiarization tour and project-specific training
Monday: Working on the organic farm using ecologically-beneficial and sustainable practices
Tue: Either river cleaning session riding on canoes or recycling education session to the local community
Wed: Mangrove reforestation session at the lagoon
Thu: Building eco-friendly products – either ecobricks or artificial corals
Fri: Group beach clean-up session
Meals Timings – Breakfast - 07:30 am - 9:00am, Lunch - 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm and Dinner - 06:00 pm -7:30 pm

Please note that given above is what a typical week would look like. The schedule can vary quite a bit depending on season, priorities, conditions on the ground, etc.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

As a volunteer for the Environmental Conservation Project, you'll have to do the following (apart from other minor works that may crop up as & when required) :

Reforestation & Mangrove Restoration – Volunteers will play a key role in assisting with the mangrove habitat restoration process in the area by helping plant new seeds in our nursery, nurture and monitor the growth of baby mangrove plants and assist in planting them in and around the islands on the lagoon when they are ready.This part of the project takes places in Koggala Lagoon,an important coastal water body in Galle District embellished with eight ecologically rich small islands. Volunteers will play a key role in assisting with the mangrove habitat restoration process in the area by helping plant new seeds in the nursery, nurture and monitor the growth of baby mangrove plants and assist in planting them in and around the islands on the lagoon when they are ready.Volunteers will also work closely with the local conservation team in doing a range of other tasks that are required to preserve and maintain the lagoon’s ecosystem.

Recycling Education: Volunteers will be conducting educational presentation sessions to local communities and schools, highlighting the environmental issues plaguing the region, particularly plastic pollution, focusing on the importance of recycling as a way of life to combat these challenges. These sessions will be aided by our local staff who will help with the preparation of presentation materials and language translations with the local community.

Building Eco Bricks – Volunteers will spend part of their project time building Eco Bricks which will be used to build the boundary walls in our organic garden and also outdoor furniture.

Organic Farming - Volunteers will spend part of their project time in our organic garden helping grow fresh fruits and vegetables in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner.

Coral Reef Restoration - Coral reefs in Sri Lanka have dwindled in size recently due to the adverse effects of climate change and human activities. This part of the project involves building artificial coral reefs using durable and eco-friendly materials to mimic the effects of natural coral reefs. These are then placed in the shallow areas of the ocean where the natural reefs were once thriving. Over time,research has shown that these artificial reefs are generally able to provide a stable habitat for fishes and all the other plant and animal organisms that one would find on a natural reef, thereby restoring this lost marine ecosystem to a large extent.Volunteers will be building artificial coral reefs using durable and eco-friendly materials to mimic the effects of natural coral reefs.

Beach Cleaning & River Cleaning - For beach cleaning, volunteers will be working around the Galle and Unawatuna areas, protecting our coastlines, and controlling the trash deposit that is left by the tourists. As a part of the river cleaning, volunteers will be cleaning smaller tributaries of the Gin Ganga river of plastic and other waste products that threaten the immediate ecosystem.Keeping the river clean benefits local neighboring communities, the surrounding flora and fauna, and ultimately the ocean. This part of the project involves volunteers riding in canoes (2 per canoe) and cleaning smaller tributaries of the river of plastic and other waste products that threaten the immediate ecosystem. Life jackets, canoes, oars, scooping nets and waste collecting bags are provided. It requires teamwork and a sense of adventure, all done in a beautiful rural natural setting surrounded by paddy fields.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.

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Environmental Conservation Work in Galle - Sri Lanka

Living

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

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Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$749
2 Weeks	$939
3 Weeks	$1119
4 Weeks	$1289
5 Weeks	$1469
6 Weeks	$1639
7 Weeks	$1819
8 Weeks	$1989
Extra Week	$250

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
Shared airport transfer on arrival at designated time windows in the morning or afternoon
Orientation and training on arrival
Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
Guaranteed project placement
Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk tuk
Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
Dedicated staff support from 6 am to 8 pm every day
24/7 local emergency support
Weekly yoga class on rooftop terrace
Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
Monthly special BBQ dinner
Travel & Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT Included?

Visa Fee
International Airfare
Return Airport Transfers from Galle to Colombo Airport (available at extra charges)
Vaccinations
Any personal expenses
Additional Local Excursions and Trips
Private Room Upgrade charges
Charges for additional nights at accommodation

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can alter at times.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
When do I need to arrive in Sri Lanka for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country ?: All volunteers need to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the starting date of their project. Volunteers are picked from the airport by the local coordinator or representative and are transferred to their accommodations. Accommodation will be provided in the volunteer house located near your placements.

A short orientation is given after arrival about the city and placements. The volunteers are also taken for a short tour of Colombo before they start with their program. However, the tour depends on the arrival time of your flight.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer programs?: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer projects:

The minimum age requirement for the programs in Sri Lanka is 17 years.

Volunteers participating in the Medical Program should be at least 18-year-old.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. They should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

The participant must be in good health.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time ( from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next VolSol program.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years, we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.

Flights and Visa

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Sri Lanka ?: The Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo is well connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. The recommended airlines are:

Srilankan Airlines

Air India

Mihin Lanka

Spicejet

Emirates

There are frequent in-country flights from Colombo to Galle and Kegalle as well.
Will Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: Volunteers traveling to Sri Lanka need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival or on their arrival in Sri Lanka. You can then obtain a Visa on Arrival in Sri Lanka for 30 days.

Volunteers can apply for ETA online and the approval of the same will be communicated via email.

Volunteers can be provided with the supporting documents if needed. More information will be provided once you enroll for the program.

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the accommodation and the program location?: Your coordinator will meet you at the airport and will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to our team and other volunteers. You will then be provided with the orientation covering areas like culture, customs, safety, locations, placement, greetings, local transportation etc.

On the first day of work, the coordinator will guide you to your project site.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Participants stay in one of the two volunteer homes located in close proximity to each other. The larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighborhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

Other than that, we also provide single/double/family private room upgrades at extra charges. The beach is just about 5 minutes walk from the stay and you can reach the Galle Fort in about 15 minutes.

If you have special dietary requirements, please mention the same in your application form.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Sri Lanka ?: Your program fee covers your accommodation, airport pick-up, orientation, pre-departure booklet, and 24x7 in country staff support. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing, return airport drop, weekend tours etc. You should carry around $50 - $60 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.
Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?: Depending on your project placement, you will get free evenings and weekends to explore in and around the city. You can utilize the evening time to visit local markets and other places around your project location. Make the most of your weekends by exploring Sri Lanka to the fullest.

We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. Your in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in Sri Lanka.
Where can I change my money in Sri Lanka ? Are there ATMs in Sri Lankan cities?: You can change money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATMs located all around the city (Galle, Kandy, Ambalangoda and Kegalle) as well.
Which all places can I explore during my trip?: Places like Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Rumassala Mountain, and Galle fort are major attractions in Galle, and Kegalle is a city of ancient architecture and natural beauty. Volunteers are free to plan quick getaways and explore Sri Lanka during the weekends.You can also relax at the beachside and enjoy the taste of the delicious seafood.

Health and Safety

How safe is Sri Lanka in general ?: Sri Lanka is one of the popular tropical destination in Asia and attracts travelers from all around the world. The locals are friendly and helpful as well, however, it is recommended to consult your in-country coordinators before you step out alone or go to any other locations in Sri Lanka. Also, it is recommended to be with your group whenever you venture out or stay out late in the night. It is strongly recommended to follow the safety rules and regulations provided by the in-country coordinator.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Sri Lanka. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations such as:

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid
Do I need to buy a health insurance?: Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
Are there any other things that I need to be careful about?: Considering the fact that Sri Lanka is a tropical country, the weather is mostly hot and humid. For people traveling from European and North American countries, it might seem to extremely hot during the days and sultry at night. We would advise you to consume a lot of water and protect yourself from the sun in whichever way possible. Carry an umbrella.

You can consult your doctor once, before traveling to Sri Lanka.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Sri Lankan alumni as well as other former and current volunteers ?: We encourage volunteers to connect with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website