Nevada Bird Habitat Project, USA

"Wilderness needs no defence, it just needs more defenders." - Edward Abbey

Aim of the Volunteer Project
In collaboration with Workingabroad Projects, and a programme of the Great Basin Institute (GBI), the International Conservation Volunteer Exchange (ICVE) is a volunteer programme for international participants who wish to collaborate with American environmental professionals on natural resource projects on public lands throughout the American West. 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 utilise 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.

Since 2004 this programme has attracted over 600 students and young professionals from 45 countries and six continents around the world to serve on conservation projects throughout Nevada and the mountainous West.

Nevada

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 are where the majority of ICVE’s field work takes place. 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 eco-systems 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.

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.

Project Details - Cavity-Nesting Bird Habitat Improvement Project

2012 Dates - 6 weeks:

- 26 February – 7 April
- 8 April – 19 May
- 20 May – 30 June - no places
- 1 July – 11 August - no places
- 12 August - 22 September - no places
- 23 September - 3 November

Programme 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 protecting sensitive wilderness, discovering new cultures, and making new friendships. All volunteers will be based out of Reno, Nevada and will spend their time in the field on a habitat improvement project that encompasses the entire state of Nevada.

Cavity-Nesting Bird Habitat Improvement Project:
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 those abandoned posts volunteers will protect songbirds, reptiles, and small mammals from injuries and will restore nesting, foraging and migratory wildlife habitats for dozens of native wildlife species across the state.

Please email: Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for further dates in 2012 or questions.

The begin date represents the desired arrival date of the volunteer. The end date represents the return date from the volunteers' last field project. Please try to arrive on the beginning date and arrange departure travel within 48 hours of the stated end date.

Food and Accommodation
While in the field, participants will camp in either primitive wilderness areas or in developed campgrounds near the project site. On days off, participants will be based in a facility located in Reno, Nevada, near the University of Nevada campus. The facility 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.

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.

Daily food per diem and housing will be provided. 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.

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.

Type of volunteers needed
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.

Volunteer Requirements:

Speak English to a good level;
Are over 18 years old; and,
Possess a valid passport throughout any time spent in the United States
You need to be fit and healthy and capable of carrying out manual work in strenous conditions and able to hike to and from project sites.
Need to have an interest in conservation, restoration and wilderness.

Visa requirements
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 travellers 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 month.

Programme cost:
There is a programme cost of £375 to pay to take part in the whole programme for 6 weeks - which covers all food and lodging, transportation once you arrive in Reno, all tents and equipment usage, training, orientation and back up. £180 is payable with the application and the remaining £195 is payable directly in US$ ($300) once are you confirmed on the programme - as this is part of your deposit on equipment borrowed and field costs. £97 ($US150) of this will be refunded to you at the end of the programme if all equipment is in order. (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.)

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. Please note that if you join a programme in Las Vegas, try to fly into there, likewise for Reno or Boise programme, aim to get flights to that destination to avoid travelling large distances once you have landed.

Weather
Southern Nevada's winters are mild, with an average temperature of 45 Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 Fahrenheit. Northern Nevada enjoys four distinct seasons. Winter temperatures can dip below freezing, while summer temperatures range from 75 - 100 Fahrenheit. The Lake Tahoe area boasts over 300 days of warm sunshine and 396 inches of annual snowfall. When working in the mountains you need to be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Feedback from Previous Volunteers

If you're interested to read more about ex-volunteers feedback on the Nevada Wilderness Programme, click here. We will be happy to provide you with further details if you want to get in touch with some of them.

How to get involved?

If you are interested in joining this project, you will need to fill out the online application form (you can also print it out and send it to us by post) – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form including two references and your application payment of £180. If for some reason, your application is declined, we would reimburse this deposit fully. Once your place is confirmed on the programme, you will receive a pre-departure package with all detailed information on your project, suggested items to bring etc.

Share |