Cavity Nesting Bird Habitat Improvement Project
Program Description:
A program of the Great Basin Institute (GBI), the International Conservation Volunteer Exchange (ICVE) is a volunteer and internship program for international participants who wish to collaborate with American environmental professionals on natural resource projects on public lands throughout the American West. ICVE is based on the philosophy that international understanding and goodwill can be achieved through cooperating on the shared goal of improving the environment. By attracting a corps of conservation-minded volunteers, ICVE contributes to the breakdown of cultural barriers while advancing ecological awareness on a global scale.
As a cross-cultural exchange between young men and women from all corners of the world, ICVE focuses on the idea of global citizenship through conservation-based service projects. ICVE allows like-minded individuals from around the globe to utilize their collective passion for the environment on projects across the Great Basin Region. This opportunity to discover new cultures, protect sensitive wilderness and make new friendships that last a lifetime, are just a few of the valuable facets of ICVE. By using conservation-based projects as a means to cross cultural thresholds, ICVE enables the growth of international understanding while highlighting the rugged beauty of the western United States.
Since 2004 ICVE has collaborated with dozens of international environmental exchange programs, attracting over 600 students and young professionals from 50 countries and six continents around the world to serve on conservation projects throughout Nevada and the mountainous West.
Position Description:
Spend your summer volunteering and camping in some of the most beautiful wilderness locales in the American West. Serve with American and other international volunteers on a habitat improvement project while discovering new cultures and making new friendships. All participants will be based out of Reno, NV and will spend their time in the field on a restoration project that encompasses the entire state of Nevada.
In cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), the International Conservation Volunteer Exchange (ICVE) is seeking volunteers to help with the restoration of cavity-nesting songbird habitats by removing mining claim posts throughout the state of Nevada. By pulling the abandoned posts volunteers will protect songbirds, reptiles, and small mammals from mortality and injuries, and will restore nesting, foraging and migratory wildlife habitat for dozens of native wildlife species across the state.
Work will be conducted on eight consecutive days in a team consisting out of four total members including one supervisor. Due to the remoteness of some project sites primitive field camping will be required.
Program Duration:
- February 26, 2012 – April 7, 2012;
- April 8, 2012 – May 19, 2012;
- May 20, 2012 – June 30, 2012 – already filled;
- July 1, 2012 – August 11, 2012 – already filled;
- August 12, 2012 – September 22, 2012;
- September 23, 2012 – November 3, 2012;
- Further dates TBD
Compensation:
Weekly food per diem and housing will be provided.
Accommodations:
While in the field, participants will camp in primitive wilderness areas or in developed campgrounds near the project site. On days off, participants will be based out of Reno in a facility near the campus of the University of Nevada. The provided lodging is similar to a dormitory as it contains multiple bunk beds per room, shared living areas, a kitchen and bathroom facilities. The lodging environment creates a great atmosphere in which participants are immersed with cultures from all over the world: at any given time, participants may be housed with people from up to a dozen other nations. Participants will have the opportunity to foster life-long friendships with folks from around the world during their tenure with ICVE.
Location:
Located in the mountainous American West, Nevada lies east of California and north of Arizona. Nevada’s landscape is the most mountainous and geologically diverse in the United States. Participants will have the opportunity to work and live in some of the most beautiful wilderness locales in the world. From mountain peaks over 13,000 feet above sea level to desert ecosystems 282 feet below sea level, the regions in which ICVE serves are diverse environments that harbor some of the most sensitive and fragile species of flora and fauna found in North America.
Visa Information:
The Visa Waiver Program enables citizens of 35 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Citizens of countries that are not included in the Visa Waiver Program and travelers who plan to stay in the United States for longer than 90 days are required to hold a valid B-2 Tourist Visa. The maximum length of stay for B-2 visa holders is 6 months.
Costs:
In order to participate in the ICVE program, each participant is responsible for a $150, non-refundable, program fee. Furthermore, ICVE requires a $150 security deposit from each participant that is refundable upon completion of the participant’s service agreement with ICVE, the inspection of living areas and any field gear issued. Both fees – together $300 – are due upon acceptance to the program. For cancellations received up to 90 days prior the start of the program the $150 security deposit will be refunded. For cancellation received later than that, no refunds can be made.
Participants are also responsible for all direct and indirect expenses associated with transportation to and from Nevada, mandatory medical insurance, visa fees, personal spending money, and personal camping gear.
How to apply:
Please contact icve@GBInstitute.org for an application.
