Forest Conservation Volunteer Program

Overview

Be a volunteer for the Forest Conservation Program in Madagascar with Volunteering Solutions, which is meant for all those adventurous souls who are keen on exploring the island of Madagascar while contributing effectively towards preserving the richness & beauty of Mother Nature. Being a volunteer for this project, you will get the opportunity to understand the local environment and help monitor the spectacular array of wildlife found in Nosy Komba.

To assess the biodiversity, we use a variety of field survey techniques including Species ID, behavioral monitoring and comparisons, population assessments, pitfall traps, transect surveys, and active forest searches both during the day and at night, as well as visual and vocal identification of birds, and potential for mist-netting, etc. For invertebrates on Nosy Komba, we aim to create an inventory of butterfly and moth species.

Forest volunteers receive training on species identification, conducting field surveys, equipment set up and data collection. You'll be guided by professional conservations, during this volunteer trip. Thus, it'll be an incredible opportunity for you to learn through experiences.

Currently, there are 4 most prominent focus areas, which are as follows:

Black Lemur Ecology – We study 3 groups of lemurs, all located in the closed-canopy forest, near to villages and human presence. We focus on the lemur’s relations with their habitat, home range, and group size. We also hope to estimate the lemur’s tolerance against habitat fragmentation and disturbance. In addition to this, we conduct behavioral comparisons between wild and habituated populations at the local lemur park.

Reptile Survey – We use two different methods, each focusing on different niches. In transect surveys, volunteers walk along set 250m transects using visual search to identify all reptiles and amphibians. During plot searches, volunteers actively search through a pre-defined plot looking for more cryptic species. In addition to the intensive transect and plot searches, we sometimes use pitfall traps to study ground-dwelling reptiles and amphibians. Most surveys happen during the day however we carry out weekly night walks for nocturnal species using the same methods.

Bird Survey – We conduct bird population surveys on the coast, in plantations, and in the forest. Point counts are conducted where birds are identified both visually and vocally. This survey allows us to study the seasonal occupancy, habitat preferences and provide updated data on the endemic bird species present on Nosy Komba.

Agroforest  – The implementation of an agroforest in Nosy Komba is the first of its kind. With villages requiring to clear forest vegetation to grow crops, we are pioneering the concept of growing cash crops. These are crops such as coffee, vanilla and chilly. The crops will be grown without the need to destroy or interfere with valuable ecosystems. We combined this initiative with a sanitation program for the local village.

Volunteers will be working as a group under the supervision of the local staff. If this is your first time doing conservation work, don't worry! Our country coordinator will be there to guide you and provide you with adequate help and knowledge so that you can work with ease and have satisfactory volunteering experience.

Program Requirements

If you plan to volunteer in Madagascar, you need to be at least 18 years old. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if you are accompanied by your parents. Volunteers should be highly energetic; have a positive attitude to make a change; possess a certain level of fitness, since the island life is not as easy as it might seem! For participating in the Forest Conservation Program, a good level of physical fitness is required to reach the survey sites which involve climbing over rocks and up steep mountain trails.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer for this project, your main roles would be:

• Study the diversity and abundance of species to identify changes in forest dynamics, populations, habitat health and identify potential localized threats
• Assess the biodiversity in this little-studied area and compare different habitat types as well as the effects of human disturbance
• Carry out extensive surveys of the local mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that exist in the surrounding forests

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers usually arrive on Sunday and the program will start from Monday.

Monday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Orientation Presentation
10:00 Health and Safety Presentation
11:00 Complete and sign forms and paperwork
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Walk to the neighboring village of Ampang for a tour led by staff
17:00 Return to camp (walk or by boat at a cost of 2,000 MGA/person)
18:00 Dinner
18:45 Daily Board Briefing

Tuesday: First official day on project! Generally, you will be doing hands-on activities integrated with staff and other more experienced volunteers. Staff will go over activities and times after dinner on Monday so you know where to go.

Volunteer Activities:

Each program has morning and afternoon activities. After dinner each day, we have a briefing to go over activities for the following day.
Note: Schedule will vary depending on the project, tides, etc.

Sample Schedule:

05:00-07:00 Breakfast on camp
06:00-08:00 Start of morning activities on the project
12:00 Lunch on camp
14:00 Start of afternoon activities on the project
16:00-17:00 Volunteer activities for the day usually conclude
18:00 Dinner on camp
18:45 Board Briefing to go over activities for the following day