Long Term Wildlife Program

  Israel

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: all year

Description: The mission of Yotvata Hai-Bar (Wildlife Preserve) Nature Reserve is to establish reproduction groups for populations of wild animals that are mentioned in the Bible; but have disappeared from the landscape, as well as for other endangered desert animals. Long-term volunteers / interns are needed to join the Israel Nature & Parks Authority (NPA) staff with its on-going conservation and animal care work at the Wildlife Preserve. Volunteers will become an integral part of the NPA staff at the Wildlife preserve and other nature reserves in the southern region of the Arava and Eilat. Duties include: feeding animals and cleaning habitats, maintenance, observations and data collection, accompanying & assisting park rangers, field work and constructing enrichment facilities. During the summer long-term volunteers may be asked to lead short- term workcamps of 6 volunteers at the preserve.

Highlights: The overseas volunteer will have the opportunity to meet and to work with local volunteers. You will experience life on a kibbutz and get to know up close this starkly beautiful desert landscape, situated on the African-Syrian rift and directly on the migratory bird route. The international beach resort of Eilat is only 40 kilometers away, if you want some snorkeling or a bit of night life.

Qualifications:
* Min age 18 - Max age 60
* Basic English or Hebrew
* Good physical fitness
* Motivation to work with animals
* Able to work in harsh desert climate
* Full travel & medical insurance

Cost in US$: 300

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-60

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Israel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 4

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

GoEco's Mission Statement: (1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.