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Forest restoration nursery & community empowerment in Sri Lanka

5.0
(3 reviews)3

The experience

Nursery development at our Arboretum lies a plant-nursery and seed-bank system. The nursery collects native and useful exotic species, propagates them, maintains plant databases and then uses them in restoration, agroforestry and sustainable production schemes. The nursery and planting operations provide training in propagation, nursery management, landscaping and agroforestry for local young people and women.

What you offer

25 hours of help per week

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

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

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 20 Per day

Fee pays for: Donation to project

Description: To cover food, accommodation and Internet expenses

What you get

2 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

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.

Discounts on Accommodation: Get discounts for your stay in other hostels.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Holistic Therapies: You can take part in any of our therapeutic activities for free.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

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

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English

Between 18 and 65 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

Travel insurance

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

Belipola Arboretum has developed a regional training center, offering courses (e.g., permaculture design, analog forestry, and sustainable food-systems) tied to social entrepreneurship, Oxygen tourism and community led enterprises.

Activities & Shift

The daily activities include practising natural farming, compost building, nursery management, seed collection, maintaining plant databases, leading applied research related to ecosystem services, conducting ecological assessments, mechanical landscaping, and managing crop performance and sectoral operations.

Rules

As a policy we serve only organic vegetarian food at our restaurant.
We do not strictly adhere with this policy and have exceptions for volunteers who request meat or fish.