In the beginning it is just a small seedling, but in 10-15 years it will be a really big tree. Wouldn't it feel good to know that your work is helping to turn bare, dry land back into green, fertile forests?
In the nature conservation organization, you will help to preserve Thailand's natural forests and restore destroyed landscapes. Forests are habitats for many animal species. Your contribution helps to promote biodiversity. You may be giving elephants a piece of habitat that was previously lost. However, you are not only making a great contribution to nature, but also to the local communities, who you are teaching about sustainable land use and alternative farming methods. At the end of each day, you will have helped to preserve the biodiverse tropical forests of northern Thailand - and that's a good feeling.
Our partner organization is located in the middle of nature not far from Pai in the north of Thailand. The organization has been actively involved in the conservation of natural forests and habitats in Thailand for 12 years. A second location of the partner organization is in the south of Thailand, in Krabi. There are also active planting areas in nine provinces in Thailand.
The conservation organization's mission is to restore natural forest landscapes throughout Thailand. The focus is on protecting and promoting biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainable improvements in the living conditions of local communities.
In order to achieve the global goals of preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change while at the same time safeguarding and improving the livelihoods of local people, our partner organization strives to preserve local primeval forests and restore destroyed landscapes. Cooperation with local communities is another important part of the work. The aim is to promote agroforestry and other sustainable agricultural practices through education, training and capacity building. The project works all year round in the provinces of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai to restore the beautiful and biodiverse tropical forests of northern Thailand.
The focus is not only on the trees, but also on the animals that live in these forests. To ensure that Thailand remains a hotspot of biodiversity, the working methods promote functional diversity and species conservation. Elephants, for example, play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. A broad coalition with government agencies and foundations is working to return this keystone species to protected areas where they can care for the forest in a way that would not be possible without them.
Cooperation with the local population is crucial for lasting changes towards sustainable development and environmental awareness. Seedlings for reforestation are grown in the partner organization. With the support of the Pai community, several large-scale tree planting campaigns are then organized each year. In addition, the seedlings are donated for various purposes, including land conservation, watershed improvement and urban greening. Local primary and secondary school students are also invited to the project site to educate the people most affected by climate change and raise their environmental awareness.
Visitors come to the project site daily for a unique experience and to learn about Thailand's tropical ecosystems. Tours of the site take place with staff and volunteers, with the opportunity to give back by planting a tree and learning about environmentally sustainable travel. The aim is to convey the diverse impacts - both positive and negative - that tourism can have on the local population and local ecosystems.
The partner organization is working to demonstrate the connections between us as humans and nature. Forests provide us with a wealth of important services on which we depend, e.g. clean air, clean water, they protect us from landslides and floods, provide us with food, resources and much more. With the support of volunteers, this knowledge can be shared with many people, including local communities, and reforestation work can be targeted to areas that offer multiple benefits.
The areas of responsibility are very varied and there is plenty to do. A wide variety of work related to nature conservation awaits you. After your arrival, you will have the opportunity to get to know everything and can then focus on specific areas. On the project site there is a butterfly garden, a botanical garden and birdhouses that need to be looked after. In preparation for the season, there is often minor and major construction work to be done on the site, where any help is welcome. There are always reforestation campaigns that you can take part in. Other tasks include collecting seeds and monitoring the planting at various locations. You will learn all about the local plants in our own tree nursery.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the volunteers spend a few hours helping with lessons at a small school in the surrounding area. They mainly teach the children English, play sports with them and teach them about nature conservation and organic farming.
The partner organization also offers eco-tours for visitors to the project site. During these tours, which always take place in the afternoon, the volunteers actively help to impart knowledge about tropical forests, ecological restoration, sustainable tourism and the protection of Asian elephants to the visitors. The aim is to familiarize tour participants with the work of the organization. As this is an active project site, everything here has its season. In winter, between November and January, when it is dry and cool, seeds are collected from the forest and propagated in their own tree nursery. When the temperatures rise between February and May, it is time to prepare new planting sites. When the monsoon rains set in, the trees are planted in the right place at the right time. Each time of the year is important for different reasons and is an essential part of the process. Part of the tour is a visit to the demonstration forest on site. Here, the methodology of restoring natural forest landscapes is clearly demonstrated and everyone is asked to first give a seed to the nursery and then plant a seedling in the forest.
An adult elephant cow named Kamee lives on the project site and is free to roam and do as she pleases. She was relocated to the project site in 2017 after many years of hard work and is now retired. During their work, the volunteers make sure that Kamee stays out of the tree nursery. The butterflies in the butterfly garden and from the tree nursery should also be kept outside. When conducting tours with visitors, cameo should be given space and interactions avoided as she is not there to entertain the guests.
You will work from Monday to Friday and have the weekend off. Your working day starts at 09:00 and you will spend the morning working on the project site or, if necessary, outside. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday you will also be at school for a few hours and spend time with the children. From 12:00 to 13:00 you will have lunch together. In the afternoon from 13:30 to 17:00, you will assist with or conduct the Eco-Tour.
Depending on the current goals and tasks of the project, you will also be working outside very often. You should bring sturdy shoes for hiking and for work. You should also bring socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt that protects you from both the sun and insects. Sunscreen can be rather expensive in Thailand. It is therefore advisable to bring this with you.
Our partner organization is tucked away in a quiet, beautiful valley where the Pai River flows through. The town of Pai, about 10 km away, is located in the province of Mae Hong Son in the north of Thailand. In recent years, it has developed into a real hotspot for international travelers from all over the world. The small town attracts visitors with its relaxed atmosphere, hippie vibes and lively backpacker scene.
The region is characterized by certain "seasons". June to November is the rainy season. It tends to be wet and humid then. It is therefore advisable to bring quick-drying clothing, a light rain jacket and good flip-flops. Insect repellent is also a good companion during this time. December to May is the dry season. It can get very hot during the day, but also very cold at night. If your stay falls during this time, it is best to bring a sweatshirt and a hat. Warm blankets are available for you in the bungalows.
The project usually takes place at the location in Pai. Sometimes it happens that all employees and volunteers visit the second project location in the south in Krabi together. Transportation and accommodation are then of course provided by the project.
Although Pai City is comparable to an urban lifestyle, it has the atmosphere of a small community. The people are warm and friendly and care about the well-being of others. Pai is about a 10-minute drive from the program location. One motorcycle is available for free use for every two interns. In Pai, you can run all your errands and, in addition to restaurants and bars, there is also comprehensive medical care.
At the weekend, you can explore the beautiful surroundings in and around Pai, such as viewpoints, temples, waterfalls, rice fields and cafés.
Arrival
From Bangkok:
If you are staying in Bangkok beforehand and are planning a trip to the north from there, you can take one of the cheap flights from Don Mueng Airport. The flight to Chiang Mai only takes 45 minutes.
If you have a little more time, you can also choose the scenic route by train and book an overnight train. This is a little cheaper and offers a great way to explore the countryside.
From Chiang Mai:
Chiang Mai is something like the capital of the north - a really great city with countless activities and culinary highlights. You can let the project know what day and time you would like to go to the project site and they will organize transportation with a local cab service. The journey takes about three hours and is winding, but it's a beautiful drive.
If you are in Pai before your project stay, you will be picked up there by project staff.
You should be at least 17 years old, but you do not need any special previous experience. What is expected of you as a volunteer is that you adhere to the code of conduct and treat the people and nature you come into contact with here with respect. You should generally have an interest in projects related to wildlife conservation and the environment and at the same time be interested in getting to know a new culture and its way of life. Then this is the right place for you.
You need an international driving license to use the motorcycles.
If you are traveling for leisure, remember that Thai culture tends to be traditionally conservative. Therefore, make sure to dress as respectfully as possible in more formal situations. When visiting temples, knees and shoulders should be covered.
If you are open, flexible and curious, you will quickly settle in here and have a good time. Basically, it is also important to the project staff that you have a good experience and learn lots of things. The staff are there for you and you can talk to them at any time if you have any problems or concerns.
Most of the employees speak fluent English. Many also speak Thai. You should have a good command of English. This will make it easier for you to communicate with the team and other international volunteers. You will also need a solid level of English for the eco-tours in order to explain nature and species conservation to visitors. Which, by the way, is a lot of fun and leaves you with a good feeling.
As a volunteer, you will have your own private bungalow, simply but fully equipped, with your own bathroom and hot water for showering. The bungalows are located in a peaceful, quiet environment, with a lake view, hammock and large terrace. Your personal belongings and valuable items are safe in your bungalow, as all doors and windows are fitted with locks. Free Wi-Fi is available in the bungalows and in the general living area.
There can be different numbers of volunteers on site in the project as a whole. At peak times there can be 12 - 15 volunteers at the same time, but never more than 15.
The project is located in the middle of nature. It is therefore not uncommon for the odd insect to stray into your room. Living and working in a rural environment means that you will probably also encounter other animals, such as ants, snakes, mice and the like.
You will be provided with 3 meals a day and the food is always freshly prepared. In the morning, everyone makes their own breakfast (toast, eggs, muesli, etc.). Typical Thai dishes are served for lunch and dinner. However, the staff will also cater to your individual wishes and food preferences during the week. So you won't have any problems with a vegetarian or vegan diet. There is no food at the project at weekends and everyone goes into town to Pai, where there is a variety of delicious food options.
There is a laundry store nearby, which is about 1 minute away by motorcycle.
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