Sri Lanka – Environmental Conservation Program – Images

The volunteer program is in and around the Galle District, a region known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant local communities. The district is home to a variety of ecosystems, including coastal wetlands, rainforests, and coral reefs, as well as historic sites such as the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unawatuna Beach, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches, is less than 100 metres away from the volunteer villa. You can find opportunities for surfing, diving, snorkelling, beaching, and more nearby.

As a volunteer, you will have a role in preserving and maintaining Sri Lanka’s natural environment. You will work closely with local conservation teams and other volunteers on various projects, such as:

• Mangrove reforestation | Identifying areas where mangrove trees have been depleted and planting new trees. You will also help with maintenance tasks, such as watering and weeding, to ensure the trees can grow successfully.
• Organic farming | Assisting with planting, harvesting, and maintaining organic crops alongside local farmers. You will learn about natural fertilizers and pest control methods, and help with tasks such as composting and crop rotation.
• Waste management education and guidance sessions | Taking part in educational sessions to learn about proper waste management practices, such as recycling and composting. You will then work with local communities to implement these practices and raise awareness about the importance of waste reduction.
• Building EcoBricks | Collecting non-biodegradable waste and filling plastic bottles with the waste to create EcoBricks. You will then use these bricks for construction projects, such as building benches, walls, or other structures.
• Planting new seeds | Working in the nursery to plant new seeds and caring for them until they are ready to be transplanted into the field. This involves tasks such as watering, fertilizing, and monitoring for pests and diseases.
• Maintaining the nursery | Assisting with maintenance tasks such as weeding, pruning, and transplanting seedlings. You will also monitor the health of the plants and take steps to prevent and treat any issues that arise.
• Making organic compost | Collecting organic materials such as leaves, grass, and food waste to create compost. You will learn about the benefits of composting and how to create high-quality compost that can fertilize crops.
• Monitoring crop growth | Monitoring the growth of crops and identifying any issues that may arise, such as pests or diseases. You will work with local farmers to develop solutions to these issues and ensure that the crops are healthy and productive.
• Building organic fences and other maintenance tasks as necessary |Helping with maintenance tasks such as building organic fences to protect crops from animals, repairing irrigation systems, and performing other tasks as needed to ensure the success of the farming project.
• Coral reef restoration | Working with local experts to build artificial coral reefs using eco-friendly materials. You will learn about the importance of coral reefs and how they support marine life, and help to restore damaged reefs to their natural state.
• Environmental Clean-Ups | Volunteers remove waste from beaches, rivers, reefs, and forests to protect biodiversity, support ecosystems, and promote sustainable practices.
• Tree Planting Campaign | This initiative plants 500+ native trees in schools to foster environmental awareness and resilience.

Please note that the volunteer work tasks are dynamic and seasonal, and may vary depending on the current needs of the conservation projects. Participants should be in good physical condition as the project involves a significant amount of fieldwork, including activities such as planting, digging, and carrying equipment. The work can be physically demanding, especially in the heat and humidity of the Sri Lankan climate. However, the work is not overly strenuous and volunteers work at their own pace.

Local Achievements: We are thrilled to announce the opening of our transformative new Community Centre, made possible through the incredible support of our international volunteers! Located in the heart of Galle town, this first-of-its-kind facility serves as a free school and support center for the greater Galle community—home to our volunteer programs. This milestone marks a powerful step forward in uplifting the vibrant Galle community, and is a testament to our dedicated volunteers from around the globe!

Internet: Each volunteer may use up to 5 GB of WiFi in the volunteer house during their stay.

Laundry: Laundry services are available for an additional fee.

 Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in one of two houses based on availability: 1. Beach-side volunteer house, conveniently located just across the road from Unawatuna Beach and 100 meters from the other volunteer house, this property features 13 bedrooms (3-6 people per room), each with a small en-suite bathroom. The house includes a dining area, garden, lounge, and terrace. Volunteers staying here also have access to the common pool at the other house. 2. Original volunteer house overlooking the beach and Indian Ocean, offering single-gender dorms with up to 4 people per room. The house has 11 bedrooms with fans, 11 bathrooms with hot water, and a private pool. It features eco-friendly solar heating and can host up to 52 volunteers at a time. AC rooms are available for an extra fee.

• • Private Room Upgrades: Private rooms are available for an additional fee, based on availability. These rooms are located in separate houses 50–100 meters from the main house and include AC in the upgrade cost. Volunteers with private rooms still have full access to all main house facilities.
  • Important Note: All applicants are welcome to upgrade based on availability. All applicants aged 40 and above will be required to upgrade to a private room for an additional fee.
  • Photos: The main volunteer house photos are shown on the project page above. Private room photos represent the general quality standards across the three separate houses. Detailed photos of your assigned house will be provided after trip confirmation.

Food: Three meals per day will be prepared by house chefs, using local, fresh ingredients. All meals for volunteers regardless of which accommodations assigned to your placement, are served at the main house. Tropical fruit is available during every meal and there is a salad bar set up during most lunches and dinners. Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free and lactose-free diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Tea, coffee and filtered water are available throughout the day.

• Most nationalities can easily apply for an online ETA visa to enter Sri Lanka.
• Minimum age of 18. Also suitable for 16- and 17-year-olds with parental consent.
• National Police Clearance
• Basic Spoken English
• All applicants aged 40 and above are required to upgrade to a private room for an additional fee

As a volunteer, you will have access to various activities, such as weekly evening yoga sessions, weekly movie nights, monthly bike tours, monthly special Sri Lankan BBQ, and a Buddhist temple visit. The volunteer villa is located less than 100 metres from Unawatuna Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. You can enjoy activities such as surfing, diving, snorkelling and beaching in the vicinity.

Adventure Tour (Highly Recommended):
If you’re interested in additional travel adventures, there is an Adventure Tour available for an extra fee. This tour includes a seven-day itinerary with a game drive, waterfall visits, a long train ride through tea gardens and local villages, an overnight stay at a riverside eco-lodge, visits to Sri Lanka’s most famous Buddhist temple in Kandy, a village walk, a visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock, a local market visit, and a trip to Negombo Beach.

Additional Recommendations:

• Wildlife safari at Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park (instead of elephant safari)
• Rainforest hike to Sinharaja Forest Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Surfing lessons at nearby beaches
• Scuba diving (PADI certification available)
• Whale watching (during the season)
• Cooking classes
• Galle Fort visit (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)