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Help Create a Natural Lake for Our Ducks in Rural Portugal

4.0
(17 reviews)17

The experience

Come be part of a meaningful project to create a natural, eco-friendly lake for our ducks and geese in rural Portugal and experience life Off-Grid!
This project will provide our waterfowl with a better habitat while enriching the landscape.
This is a great opportunity if you love animals, want to work outdoors, and enjoy seeing a project come to life with your own hands.

What you offer

25 hours of help per week

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

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

What you get

2 days off per week

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

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.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

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

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Beginner English or Beginner Portuguese

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

We are looking for proactive people with basic construction skills or a willingness to learn, and who care for nature and are willing to live with it, not against it.
There will be furry friends wherever you go, that is the way our land gained its name- CatsVille. Its important to us that volunteers treat the cats that roam our land with respect.
We are off the grid, so be prepared for a rustic lifestyle without constant access to electricity or Wi-Fi.
Off Grid in our case means we are reliant on our solar panels for electricity and we get water from our well or the waterfountain in the town nearby. We aim to be as resourceful as we can. We provide a bucket toilet to each person to use in their tent and we also have a toilet tent with a chemical camping toilet for the volunteers who prefer that option. The luxury at CatsVille is living together with nature.
You’ll have a chance to truly unwind, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with other like-minded travelers.
You can bring a tent to camp, sleep in your own vehicle or if you can't bring your own tent, sleeping bag and pillow I can provide for you.

Activities & Shift

You'll be helping us create a natural pond for our ducks, geese, and other poultry! This is a hands-on project that might include:
-Digging and shaping the pond area
-Moving soil, rocks, or mulch
-Creating shallow zones for duck access
-Lining or sealing the pond (with natural or synthetic materials)
-Helping with landscaping around the lake (like planting or clearing)
-Building small access ramps or shade areas for birds

Some days may involve lighter tasks like gathering organic material or helping care for the animals nearby and other days there may be more intensive work like moving rocks and digging.

You’ll help around 5 hours per day, 5 days a week.
During hot weather, we start early in the morning and have the rest of the day off.
You don’t need previous experience, just a good attitude and willingness to contribute!

Rules

Smoking or state altering substance use is not allowed.