VPVS-ENV 1: UNESCO’s international biosphere reserve

THEME/TYPE OF PROJECT: Environment AIMS OF THE PROJECT: The aim of this project is to reforest unproductive land within Can Gio Biosphere Reserve that has little remaining original vegetation on it. Existing trees will remain but new native trees will be planted. The aim is to regenerate local area, bring back a forest, and restore biodiversity to the area. PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES: The site is an important wildlife sanctuary in Vietnam as it is characterized by a wetland biosystem dominated by mangrove and many rare species. Today, it has become one of the most extensive sites of rehabilitated mangroves in the world. One of the main advantages of the biosphere reserve is that it provides the opportunity to work on environmental protection on a continuum of habitats, ranging from the sea to the boundary of Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest industrial city in Vietnam. The mangrove forest is regarded as the “green lungs” of the city. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: UNESCO’s international biosphere reserve in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the most important of wetland conservation site of the country. It covers 75,740 hectares and is dominated by mangroves, including both salt water and brackish water species. And it has a high biodiversity with more than 200 species of fauna and 52 species of flora. VOLUNTEER’S TASKS: Volunteers will be guided and supervised by the centre staff. The exact nature of the work volunteers will be doing varies all the time and there is no such thing as a ’typical’ day. However there are certain jobs that will be volunteer’s responsibility such as: • Regenerate a degraded area with native trees • Rebuild a natural forest by planting trees suitable to the area • Restore biodiversity to the immediate area by providing a habitat for native animals • Regenerate and secure topsoil • Take action against climate change – trees absorb carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas, from our atmosphere and store the carbon while releasing oxygen. Forests act as carbon sinks and one tree can store between 500kg – 1 tonne of CO2 over its lifetime • Participate with the communities in environmental, health, educational activities. • Researching and working at a vegetal laboratory together with local experts and students. • Provide improvements to the livelihoods of the local communities. • Collecting trash every Thursday. • Wild anical care (monkey, otter, pig, crocodile). • Fundraising encouragement Dress Code: Working for biosphere reserve center is different with other work. The dress code should be both casual and formal sometimes. Be aware that you can get dirty easily at work! So down here are the tips for clothers: Bring ‘wash-and-wear’ quick drying items only. Sensible shoes are a must. Please ensure that they are comfortable and fully enclosed. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, as you may spend all day outdoors.