In collaboration with Workingabroad Projects, the International Conservation Volunteer Exchange’s (ICVE) Nevada Wilderness Programme aims to involve international participants who wish to collaborate with American environmental service teams on natural resource projects on public lands throughout the American West. As a programme of the Great Basin Institute, the 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, the ICVE contributes to the breakdown of cultural barriers while advancing ecological awareness on a global scale.

 

ICVE members work side-by-side with the Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC), which harnesses the energy and idealism of youth to meet the needs of Nevada’s public lands and communities. A federally-funded AmeriCorps programme, the NCC promotes ecological literacy through field research and direct conservation service. The NCC transcends racial, ethnic and economic barriers by drawing corps members from diverse backgrounds, providing students, volunteers, and young professionals with opportunities to conserve Nevada’s natural heritage, while gaining valuable experience in natural resource management.

 

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. The Lake Tahoe Basin, Great Basin, Mojave Desert and Sierra Nevada Mountains (which make up most of Nevada) are where the majority of our field work takes place. Participants will have the opportunity to work and camp in some of the most beautiful wilderness locales in the world. From mountain peaks over 13,000 feet (3,900 m) above sea level to desert eco-systems 282 feet (86 m) below sea level, the regions in which the ICVE work are diverse environments that harbor some of the most sensitive and fragile species of flora and fauna found in North America.

 

San Francisco is just a four-hour drive to the west.   The Sierra Nevada Mountains extend hundreds of miles along Nevada’s western border and are full of a wilderness of snowy peaks, lakes, and pines perfect for hiking, biking, and camping.

 

Participation in the programme includes ICVE-sponsored trips to the region's premier natural attractions, which vary by season and from year to year, including Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, the Black Rock Desert, Pyramid Lake, local hot springs, and other natural attractions.

 

 

You will be involved in a variety of projects ranging from the following:

Duration
A typical service week will involve 4 ten-hour days in the field followed by three days off, or 8 ten-hour days followed by six days off. This schedule includes travel time to and from the job site, as well as educational sessions provided by their agencies.

 

Food and Accommodation
While in the field, volunteers will camp in a primitive wilderness setting or in developed campgrounds. Living in the field can be hard work. However, camping also offers camaraderie, the chance to watch shooting stars, and many opportunities to learn wilderness skills.

 

Tents are provided by the host; members are responsible for providing their own sleeping bags, sleeping mats, clothes, and other desired personal items. Weather in Nevada can be unpredictable: warm and wet weather gear is highly recommended.

 

Volunteers will be lodged by the Great Basin Institute/ICVE during their time out of the field.  This lodging is equipped with multiple beds, laundry facilities, internet access, and a full kitchen. The lodging is located within walking of Great Basin Institute offices and field stations.

 

**A $150 USD refundable security deposit is collected upon arrival.  This refundable security deposit covers any gear (including tents) issued by the Great Basin Institute/ICVE, damage to housing facilities and the Volunteer Service Agreement.  Please have the refundable security deposit available at volunteer orientation. 

 

Food and cooking gear will be provided by the host while working in the field. Every meal will be cooked at camp in a communal kitchen environment.  Upon request, special dietary requests will be accommodated.  A food stipend at a rate of $8/day/volunteer is provided during time off.

 

 
Transport

Volunteers are responsible for their transport to and from the United States. You can fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport or San Francisco International Airport. If you choose to fly into San Francisco, you can fly or take a bus or train to Reno. The bus or train will take more time but is usually the cheapest. Pickup for volunteers will be arranged. Once in Reno, all transportation during work projects is provided by the programme.

Typical volunteers are between 18 to 35 years old, fit, healthy, and capable of carrying out work in strenuous conditions. In addition, you need to be prepared to hike to and from work sites, and be comfortable living and camping in a tent. No specific skills are needed, but previous experience in manual conservation work and trail work would be assets. If you are self-motivated you will get more out of this experience. This project will appeal to those with an interest in conservation, restoration, wilderness and low-impact camping.

Visa requirements

Each volunteer must have a valid passport and visa for the duration of time that you will volunteer on this project. Please note that you should check with the American Embassy in your country of residence to find out more about obtaining the proper visa (tourist visa, visa waiver, etc). WorkingAbroad Projects does not arrange visas.

 

The programme cost for all durations of stay is £110. All food, camping, equipment provided for the project (aside from personal items), training and supervision by project manager and volunteers is provided for free; WorkingAbroad Projects backup and placement support is 110 pounds and is paid as a deposit with your application. Please note that volunteers are required to put down a security deposit of $150 USD for GBI issued gear and lodging, which is refundable upon the return and inspection of the tent.

 

Airfare to Nevada (or San Francisco), travel/medical insurance, and personal expenses are not included in the programme price. It is mandatory for you to take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of the project.