We offer year-round ecovolunteering missions on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, around the fabulous Konawe karsts.

If you support the values and causes we stand for, if you wish to contribute to the preservation of this magnificent region and to the well-being of isolated populations or experience a moment out of time, make unforgettable encounters, observe marvellous animals and expend your energy exploring one of the most beautiful places on the planet : ecovolunteering missions are made for you !

Why choose to travel with us?

• To help protect one of the planet’s biodiversity hotspots, an island considered to be the last refuge of unique flora and fauna, and in particular to help restore a magnificent coastal environment endangered by plastic waste pollution,
• To share extraordinary adventures and forge strong bonds of friendship… in short, to live an intense and unforgettable experience,
• A rare and beneficial opportunity to disconnect and recharge your batteries to the rhythm of nature, the sea, the songs of the birds in the forest…
• For the chance to delve into ecosystems – those of the Wallacea – that are among the richest in biodiversity, but also the most inaccessible and threatened.
• If you are a student, you may be eligible for an internship.

Or because you’re tired of living illegally ! Indeed, the French Constitution’s Environmental Charter states that the environment is the common heritage of all human beings, and that “everyone has a duty to participate in preserving and improving the environment”.

“We had a wonderful and so rich experience discovering Matarape Bay. The mission allowed us to meet a warm-hearted population and to understand the fragility of this ecosystem and the many issues involved in waste management. I highly recommend it! – Ecovolunteer testimonial, February 2020.

Where do we act?

Since 2012, Naturevolution has been exploring the isolated Konawe karsts on the southeast branch of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, one of the planet’s last “Lost Worlds”. A biogeographical zone as inaccessible as it is exceptional. The region is made up of a mountainous area (the Matarombeo massif) and a wild archipelago of heavenly islets (Matarape Bay). Faced with the many environmental crimes in this region, we have chosen to focus our conservation efforts initially on the coastal part of the territory.

The island of Sulawesi, with its mosaic of habitats, boasts extraordinary levels of endemism – almost 80% of amphibians, a third of birds and 98% of terrestrial mammals are endemic to the island. Its karst massifs, for example, are home to the world’s largest concentration of butterflies and oldest rock paintings, while its coral reefs are among the richest on the planet.

Why are we going down this road?

The answer is simple: because the island of Sulawesi is home to one of the world’s richest natural and archaeological heritages and that this fabulous region is systematically and massively undergoing irreversible and unacceptable damage particularly as a result of the rapid development of nickel mines, palm oil plantations and plastic waste pollution…

• Commercial plantations of oil palm and sugar cane are steadily expanding and rapidly reducing forest cover. These days, you can hardly go anywhere without hearing the sound of a chainsaw, or seeing entire slopes of forest on fire.
• Nickel mines are developing at a breathtaking pace, particularly along the coast. In addition to systematically razing forests, they also have a terrifying impact on coral reefs. Exposed land causes uncontrolled discharge of lateritic sludge during the heavy rains that are so frequent in this region – sludge that suffocates the corals.
• As for plastics, they are widely used, even though there is no waste recovery, treatment or recycling system in place. Astronomical quantities of plastic are thus thrown directly into rivers or the sea. These drifting plastics end up in the stomachs of marine animals or on beaches.

Needless to say, action is urgently required!

What are we doing in the field?

During our missions, we work on waste management through several concrete activities:

• Awareness-raising in the form of meetings with villagers or school talks,
• Waste collection (in villages, on beaches and fringing reefs) with local residents.
• Collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste in our workshop in Kendari.

We are also involved in mangrove reforestation and coral transplantation.

We also observe marine species (fish, invertebrates and corals) via regular snorkeling dives, to improve our knowledge of the area.

During your assignment, you will take part in some or all of these actions. Around two-thirds of your time will be devoted to these activities.

Note that :

Our missions are not tourism, so they don’t have a fixed program specifically designed for you. As an ecovolunteer, you will support the day-to-day activities of our team.

The list of actions carried out during these missions can therefore only be communicated to you a dew weeks before departure, as we adapt to the schedule of our teams, to the most urgent needs and priorities of the moment, as well as to the number of registered ecovolunteers and the season.

Naturevolution reserves the right to modify at any time the order and list of actions to be carried out during missions in order to adapt to unforeseen needs and events.

Because a few pictures are worth a thousand words…

Who do we work with?

Our missions are carried out in the field by our local branch, the Naturevolution Indonesia association, and also draw on the experience of a few members of the Toli Toli Giant Clam Conservation association, which has been involved in protecting the marine environment of Matarape Bay for some ten years. Most Naturevolution Indonesia members speak English, which facilitates communication and activities.

We also work closely with local authorities, notably through the tourism offices of the districts concerned (North Konawe and Morowali) and the province of Southeast Sulawesi.

How do we live in the field?

• We travel from beach to beach aboard a local boat, ensuring total logistical autonomy,
• Our different base camps (in personal tents) are each set up on a beach. We sleep under the stars, lulled by the gentle sound of the waves,
• We spend most of our days in the great outdoors, by or even in the water. We also visit a number of coastal villages,
• We eat food bought in Kendari, enhanced by locally caught fish and local fruit and vegetables,
• Everyone helps with the dishes,
• We collect fresh water from wells and rivers, filter it or boil it,
• Some meals are taken in the villages.

“This life in the wilderness has turned out to be rather comfortable, and above all a source of friendships and good laughs!”

Who are the ecovolunteers?

We welcome applications from people of all ages (from 18 upwards, or younger if parents agree), as long as you’re agile on land and underwater, and of all skills and nationalities, without discrimination.

“Only desire, enthusiasm and motivation count”.

No special scientific background nor diploma is required.

The only requirements are that you are :

• checked by a doctor before departure to ensure you’re in top physical condition
• able to speak French, English or Spanish
• smiling, pleasant to be around and with energy to spare !

How long do missions last?

Our missions last from 2 to 6 weeks.

And for even more enjoyment, it’s possible to combine multiple missions and stay for as long as you wish within the maximum duration of the tourist visa !

How is your reception organized?

We will meet you on Sunday evening at Kendari Airport (code KDI) or at the hotel that we will specify (in downtown Kendari), which you can easily reach by taxi (€7 / 100,000rp maximum) if you arrive earlier. We will share a first welcome meal in the city of Kendari. The Sunday night accommodation is covered. We head out to the field early the next morning.

At the end of the mission, we will take you back to Kendari on Friday evening where the hotel night is also covered, so you can catch your return flight early Saturday morning.

Dates and prices

You can use the available filters to refine your search (for example, search for ‘August’).

Tax deduction

The entire cost of your mission, including the plane ticket, is tax deductible up to 66% for an individual, 75% if you are subject to the IFI (French Solidarity Tax on Wealth), and 60% for businesses.

Discounts

If you register for 2 people, the rates are reduced by 10%.

If you register for 3 people or more, the rates are reduced by 20%.

If you have already participated in a mission with us (in Madagascar or Indonesia), you receive a 10% discount. If you have completed 2 missions or more, this discount increases to 20%.

These discounts are not cumulative ; the discount applied will be the most advantageous for you.

Promotions

It also happens that we offer last-minute promotions to increase the number of registrations and ensure the departure of missions.
It should be noted that these promotions are not retroactive, meaning they do not apply to individuals who were previously registered before the implementation of the promotion.
Individuals who decide to cancel their registration to re-register again hoping to benefit from the promotion will be denied this possibility.

Are you in? Then contact us !

Breakdown of trip price

Crowdfunding

Are you dreaming about it but short on cash? Think crowdfunding!
We can help you raise the necessary funds from your friends and family, your networks, or organize fundraising events (craft sales, screenings, etc.).
To find out more, click here : Crowdfunding

Other business

Interested in volunteering with us?

If you would like to take part in one of our ecovolunteer missions, or if you have any questions before deciding, please fill in the pre-registration form below. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible to explain how our missions normally run, give you the steps to take before you leave, present details of our actions in the field, and answer any questions you may have.

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English translation made possible thanks to the PerMondo project: Free translation of website and documents for non-profit organisations. A project managed by Mondo Agit. Translator: Cressida McDermott[/tp]