Volunteer Work in Environmental Protection
on Easter Island

Easter Island, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is the world's farthest away from another inhabited place. The island is of volcanic origin and therefore not only culturally, but also geologically very interesting. For example, there is no river on the island, all fresh water comes from the rain!

In Spanish it is called "Isla de Pascua" and in the native language "Rapa Nui". Within a five-hour flight, you can reach the almost 160 km² island either from Santiago or Tahiti. The island has around 6000 inhabitants and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Every year, more and more tourists visit the island belonging to Chile. This is mainly due to the mysterious and exciting cultural history around the Moai - the huge stone statues scattered all over the island. To this day, it has not been conclusively clarified how they actually got there and what their exact meaning is.

Our volunteer project is located near the main town of the island, Hanga Roa, and is overseen by the National Forestry Agency, which is part of the Chilean Ministry of the Environment.

Primary missions and responsibilities include the protection and control of Easter Island's natural resources through a variety of programs. The most important are forest fire prevention and control, erosion control, natural resource monitoring, the conservation of native flora and environmental education - among others.

In addition, the project is currently setting up a climate protection program to prepare the local population for the consequences of climate change.

The aim of the project is, among other things, the reforestation of the island and the reintroduction of endemic plants. These have been greatly reduced by decades of deforestation, destruction and extreme weather conditions. A laboratory and plantations serve to breed the plants and later replant them in affected areas as well as to fathom the difficulties of germination and reproduction of the native plants and to ensure their continued existence.

Easter Island is a unique place and our project is unique. With a volunteer service in this project you will have the chance to learn interesting things about the history and nature of Easter Island and to immerse yourself in its unique culture. At the same time, you are helping to restore or preserve the island's fragile ecosystem.

The tasks in our volunteer project on Easter Island are diverse and address both volunteers who like to work with people, as well as those who prefer to research and conserve nature.

You can inform us of your interests and your experience so that you can be assigned, as far as possible, in the appropriate area. There are workspaces where you work more in the office and others where you mainly have to do outdoors.

Volunteers can also contribute their skills and experience in translation, design, photography, video, communication, planning, etc.

The working hours are discussed with the Volunteer Coordinator. The project is flexible in terms of working hours. Usually, the volunteers work about 6-8 hours a day from Monday to Friday. However, half-day programs are also possible. It is important that the agreed working hours are then adhered to.