📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
As part of the Israel Narture and Parks Authority (NPA), the Wildlife Reserve is actively involved in: establishing reproduction groups for populations of endangered desert animals; preserving the native wildlife; and educating the public about the desert and its inhabitants. The reserve encompasses a variety of arid-land habitats including acacia groves, salt-flats and sand. The reserve has three parts: A three-acre penned-in open area where herds of herbivores live in conditions similar to those in the wild The Predators Centre where reptiles, small desert animals, and large predators are on display. The Desert Night Life Exhibition Hall where night and day are reversed so that visitors can observe nocturnal animals during their active hours GoEco volunteers will join the Wildlife Reserve staff with its on-going conservation and animal care work.
💼 What the programme involves
During the project, volunteers will become an integral part of the staff at the Wildlife Reserve. Duties include: Preparing food and feeding animals Cleaning and maintaining reserve facilities Observations and data collection Accompanying & assisting park rangers Constructing enrichment facilities Its important to note that work tasks are likely to change and be unpredictable due to that dynamic nature of the reserve. Working hours: generally for 7:00 until 15:30, this is just a guidline and the schedule may change from week to week. Fridays and saturdays are free days.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will stay in a basic apartment on the reserve. This will give the chance for the volunteers' to experience the enigmatic nightlife on the reserve including night safaris and feeds. Volunteers need to provide their own linen, sleeping bags, or blanket (seasonal). Food is not provided, however there is an equipped kitchen for volunteer use, including gas stove, and mineral water tap. Volunteers will have the chance to go grocery shopping once a week; there is also a kiosk for snacks on the reserve (budget around $50 per week).
📍 About the location
The Negev is a desert region that covers the southern half of Israel. The least populated area in Israel, it is a home to (among others) the nomadic desert people known as the Bedouin and unique African wildlife. The Wildlife Reserve is located in the dramatically scenic Arava Valley, which is part of the Negev. Volunteers will experience life in the desert and get to know up close this beautiful landscape, situated on the African-Syrian rift and directly on the migratory bird route. In addition to living in the desert, volunteers will experience life in a "Kibbutz" - a unique community in a unique environment. The international beach resort of Eilat is only 50 kilometers away (price to / from Eilat by bus is about $5), if volunteers want to enjoy some snorkeling, go to an internet cafe and enjoy the vibrant night life. During days off, it is also possible to travel around Israel or visit Jordan. All volunteers will meet in Jerusalem for a GoEco orientation before heading to the project site.
ℹ️ Additional information
Project open all year round # Volunteers can start on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month # Required participation: Min 4 weeks - Max 8 weeks