Just do it! The people are so friendly it’s so well organized and honestly it’s the best experience. :)
Biological Park Conservation Volunteer Project in Portugal - Miranda do Corvo
Want to help in the conservation of a Biological Park that houses birds of prey, brown bears, lynxes, iberian wolves, foxes, wild boars, deers and many other native species as a Biological Park Conservation volunteer in rural Portugal? International Volunteer HQ’s Biological Park Conservation project is a unique and exciting opportunity for volunteers to directly contribute to wild animal conservation in the countryside of Portugal. This center has a positive environmental impact and strong social inclusion mission.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of each month
- Affordable fees from £1070 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help conserve and care for wild animals
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Experience Portugal’s diverse natural environment
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Stay in volunteer houses at a biological park conservation centre
Key information
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who have a reasonable level of physical fitness, who love animals and are looking to join conservation efforts while spending time in quiet, natural surroundings. Most of all, you’ll be contributing to a greater environmental and animal protection mission.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
By joining the Biological Park Conservation project in Portugal, you’ll have the chance to volunteer at a center surrounded by nature with a large range of enclosed wild animals in Portugal. The association aims to preserve the existing biodiversity in the country so you will learn about the factors that threaten their survival and help in promoting biophilia and raising awareness to its visitors.
Alongside the local staff, you will assist with daily tasks, such as:
- Maintenance of the center (checking and repairing enclosure’s walls and fences, painting, cleaning and improving pathways, organizing the space);
- Assisting in feeding the animals and checking their water supplies;
- Helping in the pedagogical farm and in the riding school;
- General nature preservation (cutting trees, building fences etc.).
There is so much to learn here, and many initiatives to get involved in, you just need to ask!
When joining the program in winter, you should be prepared to experience lower temperatures of between 40-60°F (5-15°C), and come equipped with warm clothing. If you are planning to volunteer during summer, when temperatures range between 77-100ºF (25-38ºC), comfortable and light clothing is recommended.
Want to volunteer solely with wolves? Check out our Wolf Conservation volunteer project in Mafra, Portugal.
Why do Biological Park Conservation volunteering in Miranda do Corvo with IVHQ?
When you volunteer at the Biological Conservation project in Portugal you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving the lives of enclosed wild animals
- Supporting local conservation initiatives
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining park and wildlife conservation experience
- Immersing yourself in Portuguese culture
- Exploring Portugal’s countryside and wilderness
Volunteer requirements
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Volunteers need to have a good level of physical health and fitness to join the Biological Park Conservation project. Many tasks require medium to heavy physical effort, for example, carrying weights around 17lb/8kg on steep and uneven ground.
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Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers other projects in Portugal which are open to younger volunteers, and also alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
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All volunteers must speak fluent English, are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Apply For FreeNot sure which program to join?
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IVHQ Homeless Support project
IVHQ Youth Support project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Forest Conservation project
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IVHQ Animal Care project
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IVHQ volunteer orientation
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IVHQ volunteer orientation
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Portugal during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
LL
Lauren Loveman
10 Apr 2024
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BC
Beatrice Clover
10 Apr 2024
It was so easy to communicate with IVHQ and I liked the guidance and reminders they provided as I prepared. The team in Portugal were really really helpful and supportive. I felt like if I needed anything I could easily go to them for help or questions. I feel like I made a difference to the dogs I was working with. I also felt my confidence grew so much and as a person in general from meeting new people, cultures and experiences. I would definitely recommend it to people and say that you can't go in with any expectations - embrace as much as you can.
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AM
Agshana Muraleetharan
08 Apr 2024
I have never been in a hostel before but can confidently say I had the best experience living in one for two weeks. I’ve become a more well rounded person and I can say I have volunteered abroad and would definitely do it again.
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RT
Riley Thompson
09 Dec 2022
The ability to ask questions with someone from IVHQ when preparing for the trip was great and super beneficial for making the planning of the trip as easy as possible. The support of the local team was amazing and always there if you needed any questions asked. Being able to get up close and interact with the animals in the wildlife park was my favourite moment on the program. Meeting and forming connections with so many great people from all over the world had a massive impact on me. There's definitely something there for everyone so if you are thinking about volunteering, I'd recommend giving it a good consideration!
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
Location
IVHQ’s Biological Park Conservation project is based at an ecological park in the town of Miranda do Corvo. Miranda do Corvo is a beautiful historic town and municipality in the old district of Coimbra, in the central part of Portugal. It is around 3 hours from Lisbon by public transport, or a 2-hour drive by car. Coimbra, the first capital of Portugal and the third biggest city in the country, is 45 minutes away. The area surrounding Miranda do Corvo is dotted with traditional Portuguese slate villages, hiking trails, medieval castles, and riverside beaches to relax on. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature in a remote location.
Arrival and orientation
The Biological Park Conservation program begins every Monday, and volunteers need to arrive in Lisbon the day before (Sunday). You will be picked up by a member of the local team from Lisbon Airport (LIS) on the Sunday before your program starts. You will then be taken to the volunteer accommodation in Lisbon for Sunday and Monday night. This is included in your Program Fee.
If you are traveling in Portugal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a prearranged location in Lisbon on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our Portugal team at the volunteer accommodation in Lisbon. It begins on the Monday morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Portugal – an introduction to Portugal, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement.
On the day after your orientation (Tuesday), you will be dropped off at the train station, as you need to take a train to Coimbra and then a bus to Miranda do Corvo, where the Biological Park Conservation project is located. Once you have arrived at Miranda do Corvo, you will need to head to the volunteer accommodation on your own; however, the local team will provide you with instructions on how to get there. You will then meet the local coordinator and start volunteering on Wednesday.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
Volunteers on the Biological Park Conservation Project will start volunteering on the Wednesday following their orientation. Start times and daily workload will vary but you will generally volunteer for up to 8 hours per day.
A typical schedule:
| 8:00 AM | Walk to the park for an initial briefing of your tasks and start working |
| 10:00 AM | Morning break |
| 1:00 PM | Have lunch at the project with the local staff and other volunteers |
| 2:00 PM | Continue volunteer activities in the afternoon |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner at the accommodation. |
Please note that the actual schedule can change according to the current needs of the project, seasonality and weather. Usually, shifts are in the morning but can also change to the afternoon or last longer.
Weekends Volunteers will have the weekends off and will be able to explore and enjoy the surrounding area or relax at the accommodation. It is also possible to take buses to Coimbra, Porto or Lisbon.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a small apartment in Miranda do Corvo, which is around a 10 minute walk from the park. You can expect to share a room with one other volunteer of the same gender. Bathrooms are shared and the apartment has a shared living room. There is no WiFi.
Meals
Meals consist of traditional Portuguese food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant or at the park cafeteria. Breakfast is at the hotel, and they serve a great variety of food: fruits, breads, juices, coffee, milk, tea etc. For lunch and dinner, volunteers will have typical portuguese food (fish, pork, pasta, sides like rice, vegetables or potatoes etc.).
Tap water is fine to drink in Portugal.
Volunteer house bedroom
Volunteer house bedroom
Volunteer house bedroom
Volunteer house bathroom
Volunteer house bathroom
Volunteer house kitchen
Volunteer house common area
Volunteer meal
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
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|---|---|
| 2 weeks | £1070 Equivalent to £76/day |
| 3 weeks | £1501 Equivalent to £72/day |
| 4 weeks | £1933 Equivalent to £69/day |
| 5 weeks | £2373 Equivalent to £68/day |
| 6 weeks | £2813 Equivalent to £67/day |
| 8 weeks | £3693 Equivalent to £66/day |
| 10 weeks | £4572 Equivalent to £65/day |
| 12 weeks | £5452 Equivalent to £65/day |
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately £278) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in GBP.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers on Lisbon based projects and on the Wildlife Conservation project generally find US$65 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses. For those on the Wolf Conservation project, we recommend a weekly budget of US$150.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
Free-time experiences & tours in Portugal
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Portugal! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Portugal program.
Language Lessons
Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.
From £266
Language Lessons
Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.
From £266
Portuguese language lessons are available for those who join this project but they will only be available online.
Check what's required to visit Portugal
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Lisbon |
| Population | 10.46 million |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 |
Weather and climate: Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and mild winters. During winter, from December to February, temperatures are mild and vary from 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F). Summer, from June to September, is dry and hot with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 29°C (64°F and 84°F). Rainfall is heaviest in December/January and driest in July/August.
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