RAINFOREST CONSERVATION RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN BRAZIL
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
TRAVEL TO BRAZIL AND STUDY THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE ATLANTIC RAINFOREST
Travel to one of the world’s most biodiverse locations, the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, and gain incredible in-field research experience. There are so many possibilities for the young conservationist and wildlife researchers to make a difference with this versatile research internship.
This program places you on the frontline of biodiversity and rainforest conservation. You’ll work with a nonprofit working to restore the Atlantic Rainforest and learn from the valuable flora, fauna, and ecosystems there. They operate on a number of levels, working with local communities to promote sustainable lifestyles in the region whilst conducting independent research to add to global knowledge of conservation science.
This is an exciting opportunity for the young conservationist to learn what it takes to conduct research in a nonprofit context. The organization has a range of innovative ongoing research projects. As an intern, you’ll help maintain and develop these projects. You’ll have the choice of specializing in agroforestry, reforestation, medicinal plants, or monitoring ecosystems and wildlife. You’ll also have the chance to devise and execute your own research projects.
ORGANIZATION
Founded in 1999, this nonprofit is an accomplished conservation and sustainability focused organization located in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions: the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Their mission is to help reverse the effects of the climate crisis by restoring the rainforest.
They take a multi-faceted approach to this mission. Not only do they proactively plant their trees, they also work with local communities to create a paradigm shift by which the preservation and sustainable use of the forest is more attractive than its destruction. Among their projects are research into medicinal plants, huge-scale reforestation, and educational programs in local schools and communities. They’ve also hosted thousands of researchers, volunteers and interns and their alumni can be found in academia, business, the arts, and government across the world
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
The work during your Rainforest Conversation Internship can be tailored to your interests and expertise. You’ll have the chance to be involved in a range of areas of conservation with various research methods or develop a specific project to focus on during your time. In any case, you’ll get to work closely with the flora and fauna of the Atlantic Rainforest as you develop a broad set of in-field research skills and valuable experience.
Responsibilities
- Conduct surveys of flora and fauna in the region to build and update organization’s database
- Measure species richness, abundance and population dynamics using in-field research methods such as Camera traps
- Analyze data gathered for useful insights to improve conservation and habitat connectivity
- Write reports and environmental guidelines to be issued to other organizations and communities
- Research current and potential land-use strategies, aiming to protect ecosystems, habitats, water streams, and species reservoirs in the area
- Participate in outreach and collaboration with communities to identify critical areas to implement environmental sustainability management and create ecologically sustainable methods of income generation
- Assist with reforestation projects and maintenance of restoration areas
- Devise, pitch, and execute your own research projects and experiments (must align with the organization’s projects/goals/mission)
- Content Creation: you can assist the organization with their marketing, communication, and fundraising needs by gathering content in the field from your project work and general internship daily life. You can also help edit & curate the content for various purposes. If you’re keen to get involved with any kind of content creation, be sure to let your supervisor know.
Requirements
- Studying towards or have completed a degree in biology, conservation, or related field
- Ideally, prior research or data-analysis experience
- Excellent English communication skills (written & verbal); Portuguese isn’t required but is a bonus
- Innovative and enterprising
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Able and willing to do physical labor in the challenging conditions of the rainforest
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
You’ll stay at the Research Center, located in the outskirts of the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, 12 kilometers from the nearest town, Rosário da Limeria. This is a fully immersive experience, so you’ll need to be keen to spend the majority of your time in the forest. Facilities at the center include accommodation for researchers, interns, and visitors, a computer lab, field laboratory, their multi-use Forest House, forest nursery, and systems of forest trails. You’ll stay either in the main house or in one of the cabins and take all your meals at the on-site restaurant with other volunteers & interns.
Safety & Support
Safety & Support
Far from the big cities, it is extremely safe so you can relax and enjoy the the natural beauty on all sides. Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. The organization is not located in a malarial area, but if you plan to travel to other parts of Brazil, such as the Pantanal or the Amazon, you will need a suitable prophylactic, which you can find in Brazil. Your doctor may also suggest Hepatitis B and Rabies, but you are unlikely to need them.
Though the organization takes precautions to ensure the safety of all interns and volunteers, they regret that they are not in a position to accept people with serious medical conditions or physical disabilities.