Call for Participant: Save the Mediterranean Wetlands!
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Have you ever wondered how it is to be a scientist? Do you wish to discover life in a unique international institute? Are you motivated by the protection of nature and a wish to experience a new culture in an exciting and friendly environment? We are currently looking to host a European volunteer for one year, being part of European solidarity corps. The European Solidarity Corps is the European Union initiative, which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer in projects abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe. You will take part of data collection, by participating in field observations and surveys, with professional ornithologists, hydrologists, botanists, ichthyologists, that will teach you everything you need to know. As an example you can learn how to identify the amazing species present in Camargue (e.g. Flamingos, Spoonbills, Ibis and many others…), which type of information to collect (e.g. Reading of rings, Egg counts…) and how to do it safely for yourself and for the animals. In the office you can partake a big role in the data process (e.g. camera trap photos analyse) and management (e.g. Field sightings database), keeping a detailed and important track of all the information collected by you and other teammates. Or you can take part in studies on the sustainable management of water resources in emblematic natural environments, and will be trained in techniques for measuring this precious resource in the field (e.g. installation of water level and salinity probes, topographic measurement, drones, etc.) Additionally, depending on your skills and motivation there is much more you can do and learn (e.g. R program statistical analyses; Geographic information system (GIS), GPS data analysis; writing scientific publication).
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Tour du Valat is a research institute located in the core of Camargue, 30 km from the closest city (Arles). Tour du Valat employs about 80 people, including about 15 researchers and as many project managers. It also hosts numerous doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows,interns and/or volunteers.
You will be placed in a “two beds” room on the site of Tour du Valat, where you will enjoy a communal life with other volunteers and students of Tour du Valat. The facilities have all the accommodations you need included (e.g. oven, fridge, heating, internet…).
During the week you can have lunch in the onsite canteen, where you will try the most delicious French dishes in a familiar environment with the staff from the Tour du Valat. As for dinner and breakfast, you have a fully equipped kitchen that you will share with the other residents. You will be allowed to use a car on weekends and for purchase of food in Arles.
You will also monthly receive pocket money and an extra food allowance.
TRAINING DURING THE ACTIVITY
- French classes provided by a local teacher if you need language support;
- Field work best practices like initiation to bird ringing, fish monitoring, measurements of water resources in the field, botanical survey techniques, …
- Database management and data process;
- Geographic information system (GIS),
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
- Strong interest for nature conservation;
- Curious and adventuress;
- Dynamic and resilient;
TO KNOW MORE:
Organization: https://tourduvalat.org/en
For more information, you can contact:
- ESC Program Manager of Tour du Valat: Florence Daubigney ([email protected])
- Former Participants: After a volunteer at Tour du Valat in 2018-2019, Hugo Ferreira from Portugal began in 2020 a PhD on population dynamics of Spoonbills in collaboration with Tour du Valat ([email protected]); Carolina Hadden is from Portugal, she finished her one-year volunteer in February 2023 (hadden@ tourduvalat.org)
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send your application to [email protected] (ref: TdV-2024-EVS) the soonest possible and before 1st November 2023, with:
- a cover letter;
- a resume/CV