The forest on Nosy Komba is home to much of the iconic wildlife that Madagascar is renowned for, and offers a unique environment for you to be based on as a volunteer. Unfortunately, many endemic species in Madagascar are threatened, in many cases due to habitat destruction through deforestation and increasing infrastructure.
As a Forest Conservation volunteer, you’ll help with research projects that are used to study and monitor the diversity and population of different animal species on Nosy Komba. The research enables the identification of changes in forest dynamics, populations, habitat health, and potential localized threats, all of which is invaluable in contributing to the protection of the highly threatened Sambirano forests found in Northwest Madagascar.
Your volunteering will gather information that helps local communities, national and international organizations to aid conservation and management plans for Nosy Komba. You’ll help to monitor and assess local lemurs, reptiles and birds, spending time in the forest, working with specialized equipment and using a range of surveys and techniques.
Conservation volunteers receive species identification training and learn how to conduct field surveys, set up equipment and collate data. You will need to learn and pass species tests before you’re able to take part in certain surveys. You can also conduct forest cleans and help on environment days, educating locals on the ecosystem they depend on.
Most surveying sites are based on the island of Nosy Komba, which is largely undiscovered, with many new and untrodden paths. Volunteer work on the Forest Conservation project is physically demanding - reaching survey sites involves climbing over rocks and up steep mountain trails, so you’ll need to be physically fit.
You’ll also need to have a head torch, light sleeping bag, binoculars and work gloves. These aren’t available for purchase on Nosy Komba, so you do need to bring them from home.
Apply now