home > internships > environmental projects
Environmental Projects
Protecting and educating tourists about native forests in the Sacred Valley, Peru, working in a national park in Belize, conserving much-needed water in the Oaxacan desert of Mexico, exploring wildlife preserves around Mysore, India, and getting your hands dirty in Northern Thai reforestation, ProWorld’s environmental projects come from the communities to protect their valuable natural resources. Below are some of your options for environmental projects.
ProWorld plants enough trees and installs enough clean burning stoves to offset over 4,000 tonnes of CO2. That is enough to offset the entire carbon footprint of ProWorld and the flights of every volunteer!
Apply to join a ProWorld Environmental Project
ProWorld plants enough trees and installs enough clean burning stoves to offset over 4,000 tonnes of CO2. That is enough to offset the entire carbon footprint of ProWorld and the flights of every volunteer!
Apply to join a ProWorld Environmental Project
Peru
Ecotourism Chicon www.hakutrek.com
Work to improve the standard of living for community members of Chicon while helping to preserve the natural beauty of the remaining local forests. You will train community members as tour guides in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, educating them about adventure tourism and customer service while learning about native flora and fauna, environmental preservation methods and, medicinal plants.
You may also help teach community members English, marketing, business management, and reforestation techniques.
Work to improve the standard of living for community members of Chicon while helping to preserve the natural beauty of the remaining local forests. You will train community members as tour guides in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, educating them about adventure tourism and customer service while learning about native flora and fauna, environmental preservation methods and, medicinal plants.
You may also help teach community members English, marketing, business management, and reforestation techniques.
Cleaner Burning Stove Project
Protect the native, endangered forests of the Sacred Valley while helping to improve the health of its community members. A majority of the rural agricultural population in the province of Urubamba cooks indoors over an open fire without adequate ventilation.
In order to address the issue of deforestation for fuel and health issues related to inadequate ventilation, ProPeru started the Clean Burning Stove Project. By installing fuel-efficient wood stoves with proper ventilation, you will help reduce the amount of wood consumed by community members while simultaneously reducing illnesses related to smoke inhalation.
Environmental Education and Conservation Project
Interns have the opportunity to work with local school children and community members, educating them about the local environment and conservation measures.
This project may include raising awareness about local environmental issues, reforestation campaigns, work in local nurseries, leading environmental field trips for children, or recycling and composting efforts in the local schools and communities.
Find out more about the ProPeru Intern Abroad program
In order to address the issue of deforestation for fuel and health issues related to inadequate ventilation, ProPeru started the Clean Burning Stove Project. By installing fuel-efficient wood stoves with proper ventilation, you will help reduce the amount of wood consumed by community members while simultaneously reducing illnesses related to smoke inhalation.
Environmental Education and Conservation Project
Interns have the opportunity to work with local school children and community members, educating them about the local environment and conservation measures.
This project may include raising awareness about local environmental issues, reforestation campaigns, work in local nurseries, leading environmental field trips for children, or recycling and composting efforts in the local schools and communities.
Find out more about the ProPeru Intern Abroad program
Belize
While the environmental portfolio has a number of projects listed below, they all operate under the primary umbrella of Environmental Protection. While volunteers can sign up for a particular focus for their environmental project, they will most likely work in some way on most, if not all, of the environmentally related projects operating in Belize at the time of volunteering.
Elijio Panti National Park
Elijio Panti National Park
The Elijio Panti National Park was founded in 2003 by the Itzamna Society, a local Mayan NGO. This 13,000 acre stretch of land is the newest national park in Belize.
This on-going project includes trail building and maintenance, infrastructure development, signage, bridge construction, tree planting, environmental assessments, promotion & marketing, campground creation & maintenance, educational material development, interpretive trail development, among other projects. Presently, the Elijio Panti National Park project is not available between September-December due to the rainy season making it extremely difficult to reach.
This on-going project includes trail building and maintenance, infrastructure development, signage, bridge construction, tree planting, environmental assessments, promotion & marketing, campground creation & maintenance, educational material development, interpretive trail development, among other projects. Presently, the Elijio Panti National Park project is not available between September-December due to the rainy season making it extremely difficult to reach.
Itzamna Society
Environmental Education Center
The Environmental Education Center was founded in 2005 through the joint efforts of several environmentally conscious, educated, and interested stakeholders to promote an exemplary site for environmental education in Belize. The center includes a 12-acre preserve containing interpretive trails, a gibnut-raising project (gibnut is a local rodent like animal), a small organic farm, and a Tilapia pond.
ProBelize volunteers have been invaluable in the development of infrastructure, manual and brochure design, fundraising and environmental education outreach program to schools and communities. You will work alongside community partners in developing and expanding the centers ability to positively impact the environmental conscience of Belize.
Find out more about the ProBelize Intern Abroad program
Mexico
Instituto de la Naturaleza y la Sociedad de Oaxaca, S.C. (INSO)
Protect the natural habitat that provides water, climate control, and sustenance to those living on and near the San Felipe Mountains. Volunteers will help in one or more of INSO’s three main areas of interest: information and exchange, alternative technology, and conservation.
Working in conjunction with INSO staff, volunteers will participate in projects designed to address deforestation, soil and water contamination, and urban growth.
Working in conjunction with INSO staff, volunteers will participate in projects designed to address deforestation, soil and water contamination, and urban growth.
Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca
El Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca (or the Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca) occupies the courtyard of the stunning Ex-Convent Santo Domingo in the city's center. The garden - formerly used by the military for training - covers 2.3 hectares and is home to hundreds of different species of flora found within the state of Oaxaca.
The garden serves as a laboratory for scholars (as does the adjoining botanical library), a classroom for environmental education and awareness initiatives, a venue for expositions and cultural events, and a park for the enjoyment of Oaxacans and tourists.
Fondo Oaxaqueño para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FOCN)
Oaxaca has the most biodiversity out of all the states in Mexico. The Fondo main goal is formulate and strengthen strategies that support the ecosystems and biodiversity in Oaxaca through sustainable practices that come from traditional and scientific knowledge.
They have several projects running to support ecotourism on the coast and throughout Oaxaca.
Find out more about the ProMexico Intern Abroad program
India
Environmental Projects at ProIndia focus on education and conservation. Mysore, with its nearby lakes, parks, zoo, and wildlife preserves, is well-placed for environmental work. ProIndia works with its local partners to deliver internships that get interns out working in nature, exposing them to India’s rich biodiversity and natural beauty.
Alongside India’s rapid growth and development, oftentimes the environment has been neglected. ProIndia works with organizations countering this trend. These partnerships support important environmental education working especially with children, as well as conservation and tree planting projects.
Find out more about the ProIndia Intern Abroad program
Thailand
Thailand's rapid economic growth towards the end of the 21st century encouraged a tremendous amount of environmental destruction. Sustainable agriculture and forestry, and environmental conservation are the major issues addressed by ProThailand's partner environmental organizations. Grassroots efforts require cooperation between Thai and Ethnic communities, government & local municipalities, University faculty and researchers, and, quite often, international stakeholders.
ProThailand Environmental Interns can join local NGOs in grassroots efforts to protect the environment, participating in such initiatives as forest conservation, agriculture, and environmental education. Please be advised environmental projects and conservation efforts are restricted to certain seasons of the year.
Some environmentally focused organizations ProThailand partners with are:
Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU)
FORRU carries out scientific research to develop the best techniques to grow, plant and take care of indigenous forest tree species, so forest restoration and biodiversity recovery can be achieved successfully and efficiently on degraded land. As well as being ecollogically valid, it is important the methods developed are cost effective and acceptable to local people.
Give North
Give North works towards creating environmentally sustainable projects, such as constructing check dams, building fire breaks, and reforestation. Each project is conducted based on the local needs of communities through needs assessments.
Find out more about the ProThailand Intern Abroad program
When you're ready, apply at www.myproworld.org/apply.
The garden serves as a laboratory for scholars (as does the adjoining botanical library), a classroom for environmental education and awareness initiatives, a venue for expositions and cultural events, and a park for the enjoyment of Oaxacans and tourists.
Fondo Oaxaqueño para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FOCN)
Oaxaca has the most biodiversity out of all the states in Mexico. The Fondo main goal is formulate and strengthen strategies that support the ecosystems and biodiversity in Oaxaca through sustainable practices that come from traditional and scientific knowledge.
They have several projects running to support ecotourism on the coast and throughout Oaxaca.
Find out more about the ProMexico Intern Abroad program
India
Environmental Projects at ProIndia focus on education and conservation. Mysore, with its nearby lakes, parks, zoo, and wildlife preserves, is well-placed for environmental work. ProIndia works with its local partners to deliver internships that get interns out working in nature, exposing them to India’s rich biodiversity and natural beauty.
Alongside India’s rapid growth and development, oftentimes the environment has been neglected. ProIndia works with organizations countering this trend. These partnerships support important environmental education working especially with children, as well as conservation and tree planting projects.
Find out more about the ProIndia Intern Abroad program
Thailand
Thailand's rapid economic growth towards the end of the 21st century encouraged a tremendous amount of environmental destruction. Sustainable agriculture and forestry, and environmental conservation are the major issues addressed by ProThailand's partner environmental organizations. Grassroots efforts require cooperation between Thai and Ethnic communities, government & local municipalities, University faculty and researchers, and, quite often, international stakeholders.
ProThailand Environmental Interns can join local NGOs in grassroots efforts to protect the environment, participating in such initiatives as forest conservation, agriculture, and environmental education. Please be advised environmental projects and conservation efforts are restricted to certain seasons of the year.
Some environmentally focused organizations ProThailand partners with are:
Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU)
FORRU carries out scientific research to develop the best techniques to grow, plant and take care of indigenous forest tree species, so forest restoration and biodiversity recovery can be achieved successfully and efficiently on degraded land. As well as being ecollogically valid, it is important the methods developed are cost effective and acceptable to local people.
Give North
Give North works towards creating environmentally sustainable projects, such as constructing check dams, building fire breaks, and reforestation. Each project is conducted based on the local needs of communities through needs assessments.
Find out more about the ProThailand Intern Abroad program
When you're ready, apply at www.myproworld.org/apply.
Get the Newsletter
“My Spanish has helped out tremendously in my work in the hotel. I was pretty much promoted to an administration position solely because I can speak to most of the housekeepers." - Jenny
Copyright © 1998 – 2008