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Your trip at a glance

Highlights

  • Learn all about agroforestry, forest monitoring, refor­esta­tion, and medicinal plants in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
  • Take the oppor­tu­nity to carry out various activ­i­ties in the rainforest such as refor­esta­tion, soap making, medicinal plants or trail mainte­nance.
  • Live and work in one of the most biodi­verse regions of the world.
  • Immerse yourself in educa­tional and cultural exchange while engaging with the local community.
  • Join the ranks of passionate conser­va­tion­ists who are working towards the goal of salvaging and regen­er­ating the once-thriving rainforest.

Locations

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Rosário da Limeira

Plan your trip

  • Included in the programme fee
    • Placement in the programme
    • Assistance with travel arrangements
    • Assistance with selecting travel insurance
    • Assistance with booking flights
    • Risk coverage certificate
Meghan

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Meghan, your travel expert for Brazil

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about this journey! I answer all of your questions and assist you before, during and after your adventure abroad.

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Volunteering in Brazil

As a volunteer at the nature conservation project in Brazil, you will work towards the goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030 in the once-wiped-out region of the Atlantic Rainforest while contributing to species and ecosystem research and community outreach projects. Your strengths and interests shape your experience here - whether you're a green thumb, a wildlife enthusiast, or a science buff, there's a meaningful role for everyone and the project wants to support your interests and passion.

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Arrival and orien­ta­tion in Brazil

You will be met upon arrival by research centre staff, introduced to the project and team, and shown around while you learn about the tasks ahead. Depending on the time of day that you arrive, you will settle in and join your fellow volunteers and researchers for a hot meal, get to know your surroundings and rest a bit, or jump right into an activity if you’re up for it.

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Typical activ­i­ties in refor­esta­tion as a volunteer

There is never a shortage of jobs and activities to be done at the research centre! You will be best matched to activities that fit your skills and interests.

Your strengths and interests will determine your experience here - whether you're a green thumb, an animal lover, or a science buff, there's a meaningful role for everyone and the project wants to support your interests and passion.

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Some examples of tasks include: taking water samples to measure how reforestation impacts water quality; using a Geographic Information System (GIS) for seedling selection and mapping planting areas; working in the nursery to prepare and care for seedlings; planting trees; maintaining forest trails; developing soap, and visiting schools or teaching visiting school groups about environmental education.

There is even an experimental coffee plantation on site that you may be working on as you learn about agroforestry. Also, the project works together with local families who will need your support as well with agriculture and gardening.

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Accom­mo­da­tion in the project

You will be staying either in the Centre house or in one of the four cabins on the property. The Centre is over 75 years old and has four bedrooms for two people each. There is also a library, a living room, and two bathrooms to share among the maximum eight volunteers in the house.

The four cabins each have two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a common living room area. All volunteer accommodations have hot water, electricity, and Wi-Fi at all times.

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Near the accommodation, there is a multi-purpose space used as an office, classroom, study area, and multimedia projection space with capacity for 50 people, and another house nearby used as a classroom and exhibition space.

A laboratory on site is well-equipped with glassware, stereoscopes, camera traps used for monitoring fauna, and benches, tables and sinks. This is also where the soaps are made and the medicinal plants are treated.

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Leisure time as a volunteer

In your free time, particularly on the weekends, you are invited to explore the beauty of the region. For those who love to hike, you are in the right place! Just at your doorstep are four stunning peaks beckoning you to summit—including the nearby Graminha Peak, whose summit reaches 1.501 meters, and the country’s third highest mountain, Bandeira Peak (2.892 meters), which is a 3-hour drive away and makes for a great weekend adventure. If you are really ambitious and like to start your day with a bang, you can make the 3-hour trek up a 1.350-meter-high mountain top near the research centre for a stunning view of the forest below, ideal at sunrise!

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Within walking distance, you will find four beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes, several self-guided trails, and the closest town of Rosário da Limeira can be reached by a 2.5-hour walk, or a 25-minute taxi ride. Most weekends, there are bonfires at the centre, offering volunteers a chance to hang out and share stories over a delicious Caipirinha or two. Speaking of wildlife, Rosaria de Liberia boasts an incredible array of species, especially birds which you can watch best from our viewing tower. Our partners can also recommend where to find the most delicious homemade honey, pastries, cheese, and beautiful artwork made by community members.

FAQ – Learn more about this trip



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    1. Rosário da Limeira

    Rosário da Limeira liegt in einer landschaftlich reizvollen Gegend mit Hügeln und viel Grün, was typisch für die Region Minas Gerais ist. Die Stadt liegt etwa 330 Kilometer von der Hauptstadt des Bundesstaates, Belo Horizonte, entfernt.

    In Rosário da Limeira gibt es auch einige Sehenswürdigkeiten wie den Wasserfall "Cachoeira do Rosário", der in der Region sehr bekannt ist und viele Besucher anzieht. Außerdem ist die Stadt für ihre traditionellen Feste bekannt, insbesondere für das jährliche Fest des Schutzheiligen der Stadt, Nossa Senhora do Rosário.

Background of the refor­esta­tion project in Brazil

Once the Atlantic Forest of Brazil thrived, as is covered over 133,5 million hectares (330 million acres) of land. Today, only seven percent remains as a result of deforestation through logging and conversion of the land to support crops and cattle pastures. Although the forest has been cut down to a fraction of its original size, it is still home to an incredible array of endemic and endangered species that can only be found in this region of the world. Our partner organization works to protect and reforest this land, research the biodiversity within, and work with neighbouring landowners to promote sustainable agro-farming practices.

The idea for this project began over thirty years ago when two passionate conservationists settled on a small patch of land in Minas Gerais and began to develop a sustainable forest farm. Since then, they slowly began to clear pastures and replant native trees across the land. They helped establish the neighbouring community as a state-recognized county and witnessed and supported the bordering Serra do Brigadeiro to become a state park in 1996, protecting 15.000 hectares (37.000 acres) of forest land and becoming a part of the UN Biosphere Reserve.

In 1999, the research centre opened as a recognized non-profit NGO, welcoming the first wave of Brazilian and international volunteers to support reforestation, building and maintaining forest trails, community mapping, and outreach projects. Since then, a nursery was built, cabins were erected to accommodate 28 volunteers and researchers, and research and international attention continue to grow and develop, allowing the project to acquire more land under their protection, and the dream of recovering the Atlantic Forest to thrive.

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