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Help needed to create a small tropical nature reserve

4.5
(45 reviews)45

The experience

Our goal is to restore our property into a private Nature Reserve with an ecosystem that can support the diverse plant, fungus, insect and animal species and to eventually offer jungle stays to paying visitors.
Part of the property is tropical rain forest with water streams and the areas previously used for cattle grazing are being reforested with indigenous fruit trees, a variety of hardwood species from the region.

What you offer

25 hours of help per week

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Beginner English

Over 30 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

We recommend that you wear watertight boots, long-sleeved shirts, denim trousers, wide hat, provide their own toiletries (including toilet paper), sunblock, insect repellent. A flashlight is required.

Activities & Shift

Working hours are 25 hours worked spread over 5 days (some days more or others less), with 2 weekend days spend away from the project (no meals on off days) in the nearby towns or visiting nearby islands.
Work starts after breakfast and finish at around 13h00 to have lunch. Afternoons can be spend on the nearby beach or just relaxing somewhere on the project.
Current projects include -
planting and maintaining fruit and forest trees, upgrading and maintenance of existing infrastructure, installing a sewage treatment plant, and upgrading the water distribution system.
We are doing physical work and had volunteers up to 72 years old that could cope with the tasks on hand. We adapt tasks to suit the limits the individuals put on their own abilities. The owners are 63 years old and are capable of doing the tasks we give our volunteers.

Rules

- Please wear a hat to protect your head and face from sunburn. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin.
- Keep your accommodations clean, clean up after yourself, do not litter.
- No outside visitors allowed on the property, entertain your friends in town.
- No open fires and no smoking on the property.
- You prepare all of your meals the way you prefer, we as hosts, only provide you with the ingredients for your basic meals. Basic meals in Panama includes ingredients like rice, beans, plantain, yuka, potatoes, bread, chicken, pork, beef, fish, eggs and vegetables.
- Working hours are 5 hours, starting after breakfast for weekdays. On Saturday and Sunday you are off duty to explore Panama.
- On Saturdays and Sundays you will supply your own meals.
- You supply your own toiletries, medication, bug spray and sewing kits.
- No loud music allowed.