Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Israel or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.
You’ll be working with Israel’s largest green NGO to promote the notion of a more environmental Israel as well as an appreciation for its natural and cultural tradition.
In the early 1980s, reconstruction began on Sataf’s agricultural terraces and restore the two gathering pools serving two local springs, Ein Sataf and Ein Bikura. They re-dug the irrigation networks to the agricultural plots creating the opportunity for visitors to the site to observe hillside farming as it was practiced in Biblical times.
Archeological research suggests that settlement at the Sataf site began around 6000 years ago. It is assumed that 1,500 years later the settlers began to craft the earth so that it could be used for agriculture, moving large volumes of the rocky ground to create small platforms where they grew grapes, olives, figs and pomegranates. As part of the local team, the hands-on work volunteers will engage in while volunteering on this project forms part of the NGO’s greater goals of advancing water economy, forestry, education, community development, tourism, and research and development in Israel.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, travel health insurance, round trip airport transfer (approx $45), personal expenses, visa (if applicable).
Sataf is situated high in the Jerusalem Hills and is renowned for its stunning hiking trails and natural beauty – one of Israel’s most beautiful landscapes. Pine forests line the prevailing hills, providing a powerful entry to the majestic city of Jerusalem. The area is steeped in much history and ancient biblical anecdotes where you can see irrigated vineyards, vast olive orchards and landscapes that thrive on agricultural terraces.
Orientation in Jerusalem (Included):
Your volunteer adventure will start off with a GoEco orientation at a fantastic hostel in the center of Jerusalem. The orientation is a great way to meet fellow volunteers and travelers from around the world and includes the following:
The GoEco orientation will begin at 12:00 PM on arrival day. The next morning, you will travel to your volunteer project via public transportation. Full travel details to Jerusalem and the project will be provided upon registration.
During your time on the project, you will help care for and develop Sataf’s ancient agricultural terraces and farming sites. Tending to the terraces requires hands-on physical work including renovating collapsed walls and putting the stones that create the ancient terraces back in place. For volunteers who enjoy more agricultural work there is also the opportunity to aid in the cultivation of olives, figs and pomegranates.
Volunteers will be collected from the Jerusalem Central Station at 6:45 am and will generally be working on the project site from 7:30 until 13:30. A minibus will return you to your departure point at 2:30 pm and you will have the remainder of the afternoon to explore all the incredible sites Jerusalem has to offer.
Fridays and Saturdays are free days.
This project is ideal for volunteers who enjoy physical work and working with the earth.
Holidays: Please note that the months of September and October have several holidays that may affect your trip.
Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:
During your free time you can visit the many famous historical sites of Jerusalem or enjoy the vibrant nightlife it has to offer. There are also many attractions in and around Tel Aviv and adventure activities such as surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing. Visiting other cities and attractions including Eilat, the Dead Sea and Masada are easy via public transportation. Don’t miss out on all that Israel has to offer.
Check out a list of tours you can join for an additional fee, here.
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