Wildlife Surveys
An amazing opportunity to visit and volunteer in the magnificence National Parks of Epirus Region, Greece. In this, volunteers will be involved in the monitoring and research of the Parks’ rich wildlife. You will be working together with the Parks’ scientists and other highly experienced scientists and you will learn a range of skills from those focused on research such as data processing, wildlife surveys, camera trapping and species identification, to practical skills such as first aid, canoeing, wildlife photography and more. The main focus of your time on this programme will be learning a variety of techniques required to effectively monitor local biodiversity. This includes conducting a range of wildlife and socio-economic surveys to help gather and manage data required. You will set up camera traps, and conduct transects that record tracks and signs of various animals in the National Parks. You will monitor key aquatic and bird of prey species to collect long-term seasonal trend data on resident and migratory birds. You will conduct biodiversity assessment surveys to identify species of Amphibians, Reptiles, Butterflies and Mammals walking across trails and setting up traps and monitoring cameras.
The outcomes of this research provides a huge amount of critical data to the Management Bodies of the Protected Areas to help them to make important conservation decisions and ensure the survival of the biodiversity of this unique areas.
Dedicated volunteer guesthouse
Wildlife surveys, biodiversity monitoring (Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, plants etc.), wildlife photography.
3 Meals included (volunteers assist with the preparation of meals and dish washing)
Ioannina airport or bus terminal
- €1,350 – 1 month
- €3,900 – 3 months
- €7,200 - 6 months
- €13,000 – 12 months
Please note: For those wishing to dedicate only 1-2 weeks in the butterfly and bird watching surveys, special accommodation and itinerary arrangements have to be arranged. Please contact us for further information.
Please note: Above prices are not valid for European Volunteer Service (EVS) project participants
Intern volunteers can join throughout the year. All other participants wishing to spend less than a month to the programme can join under special conditions.
- Pre-departure support
- Return transfers to and from Airport/ bus station
- Arrival orientation
- Constant mentoring, supervision, guidance and training from experienced scientists
- Necessary project equipment and materials
- Transfer to research area locations and/ or National Parks’ offices
- Biodiversity monitoring courses including GPS training, Camera trap training, Wildlife identification etc.
- Weekly evaluation with your mentor
- Final evaluation
- Certification and summary of training and experience received
- Confidential professional reference
- Shared accommodation at the volunteer guesthouse
- Three meals daily
- Access to tea and coffee
- Use of internet at the volunteer guesthouse
- 24-hour emergency phone support
- International and domestic flights or bus tickets
- Airport taxes
- Medical and Travel insurance
- Work/study Visa
- Laundry services (inexpensive laundry can be found in the town)
Volunteers are based on the beautiful town of Ioannina, the capital of Epirus Region, which is in close proximity to the five National Parks. They will have the chance to get hands-on experience of the Parks’ unique ecosystems working with expert environmentalists on valuable PAs Management initiatives.
The mountainous area of Epirus is dominated by the Pindos Range, where two National Parks are located, Pindos and Tzoumerka National Parks. Here is one of the last biotopes of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) all over Europe. The flora of the Epirus mountains is very rich and diverse with many rare and endemic species, like the Centaurea pawlovskii in the Vikos Gorge and the Centaurea vlachorum species in the Valia Calda, and many rare and beautiful lily species.
Amongst the rare animal species living in the mountains, rivers and lakes of Epirus we can mention the extremely rare Lynx (Lynx lynxx), the Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), the Wolf (Canis lupus), the Otter (Lutra lutra) and the very rare ‘wild goat’ (Rupicapra rupicapra). Many rare birds of prey species inhabit the mountains, such as the Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus), the Lammergeir (Gypaetus barbatus), the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and the Booted eagle (Hieraetus pennatus).
The coastal National Parks (Kalamas and Acheron and Amvrakikos Gulf) and the Lake Pamvotis, are very important immigration routes and biotopes for birds and host many endangered species like the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus).
The Volunteer Programme has been designed with a strong focus on learning and hands-on involvement in field projects and volunteers get involved in biodiversity monitoring, public awareness, PAs Management activities etc. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork and inclusiveness.
The main aims of the programme are to assess the biodiversity in these areas and compare different habitat types. Compiling a species inventory will involve carrying out surveys of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies in the Parks’ forests and wetlands.
For the large and small mammals you will learn to use both direct and indirect observation methods. You will conduct walking surveys along the forest trails and along the riverbanks/ lake shores during which all mammal species are recorded to create a species list. In addition to the surveys you will learn to record indirect evidence of mammals through the identification of tracks and scat and by setting up camera traps. The GPS location, size and abundance of the tracks are recorded and this information can then be used to map the presence of many mammals which are elusive and thus rarely observed in the forest. This also contributes to our knowledge of the use of the area as a biological corridor for mammals with large ranges, such as brown bears. In addition you will also be doing mapping of vegetation, disturbance and resource-use in the area to build up a GIS map.
The sensitive nature of amphibians and reptiles makes them an excellent indicator group. The amphibians and reptiles survey study aims to determine the species composition, abundance and determine the potential population threats.
You will also have the chance to carry out bird surveys as many rare and endangered birds can be found here, as well as several migratory species. The aim of these surveys is the Bird species identification and counts in order to get a better idea of species diversity and abundance. The long term goal of this project is to investigate and provide data for models of ecosystem migration and species displacement due to climate change and other environmental factors.
The aim of butterfly and moth surveys is to record the presence of butterflies or moths, to determine the species composition, to learn more about the habitats and ecology of each species and to get information on the condition of the site and identify potential threats.
The wildlife survey programme can attract people of all ages and from all walks of life whether they are students on gap year, professionals taking career breaks or mature volunteers wanting to have a "different" holiday. The butterfly and bird surveys can be appealing to special interest groups and to “citizen scientists” who like to spend 1-2 weeks in the unexplored ecosystems of these National Parks identifying species that might have never been observed.
It is also suitable for college/ university intern students, who want to develop their academic education, develop their professional skills, or complete their postgraduate thesis. In this case, a student mast dedicate at least 3 months to the project.
Volunteers will have weekends off although some tasks such as patrolling and wildlife surveys might still need to be done on weekends. Ioannina is a very alive town as many university students live and study here and offers great opportunities for some time out in the evenings or for visiting the many important historical and cultural monuments located closed to the town. You can even get involved in adventure activities like rafting, skiing, hiking, cycling etc.
From Ioannina you can also explore more of the wonderful sights and experiences that this beautiful region has to offer. Depending from the season you can take a trip to many pristine and well known destinations like Metsovo, Vasilitsa and Anilio for skiing; Zagori and Tzoumerka for trekking, Preveza, Corfu and Lefkada for summer escapes; Thessaloniki for shopping and more.
Volunteers should fly into either Athens or Thessaloniki International Airport and then take either the bus or a connecting flight to Ioannina Airport. Upon arrival in Ioannina you will be picked up for your transfer to the volunteer’s guesthouse.
There may be a number of ways to reach Ioannina. For further information and advice please contact us and we can arrange your flights and bus tickets for you.
GreenTraveller’s specialist staff provides personalised attention and on-going support to volunteers, extensive pre-departure training and in-country orientation and supervision.
Upon booking, you will have a comprehensive pre-departure briefing with the programme coordinator that provides all the details you will need to prepare for your trip to Greece. This briefing will cover topics and information on accommodation, staff, visas, optional activities, medical advice, subjects of your internship, activities and life in the project and more.
Upon arrival, your project coordinator will guide you through your volunteer tasks, act as a link between you and your host National Park Management Body, and help to broaden your understanding of the country where you are volunteering. All our Project Leaders are qualified biologists/ environmentalists and experienced professionals bringing a wealth of education and experience to enrich your programme.
Our staff will offer logistical and emergency support to volunteers and assistance such as illness, missed flights, lost luggage etc. A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency contact number is provided for everyone who join us. We never compromise on safety!
Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory for all participants prior to their departure and while on one of our expedition/ tours/ programmes. You are responsible for ensuring that you are in possession of a valid travel insurance for the entire duration of your trip in respect of medical expenses, personal accident, legal expenses, medical emergency repatriation and death, as well as make sure that there are no exclusion clauses which limit cover for the type of sport or other activities included in your programme, such as, but not limited, to trekking, diving, rafting, cycling, canoeing, skiing etc.
Medium and long term volunteers will stay in the volunteer guesthouse located in Ioannina town, build by the lake Pamvotis. The house has an equipped kitchen (stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, cooking equipment etc.), bathroom, living room with a TV set and three bedrooms with single beds. Depending on numbers, volunteers may have a room to themselves or may share with one or two other volunteer (same sex). The volunteer guesthouse can accommodate up to eight volunteers at any given time, so accommodation resembles a family environment. Three meals per day are provided and volunteers assist with the preparation of meals and dish washing.
Individual study desks are provided for each participant either at the living room of the guesthouse or/ and at the GreenTravellers’ premises. In both locations a Wi-Fi internet connection is available.
For those wishing to participate in the short term programme (1-4 weeks) special accommodation and meals arrangements are available.
Located in the north-western part of Greece, Epirus region is a land which stretches from the Ionian Sea until the borders of West Macedonia and Thessaly. It is a land with beautiful beaches binding with high mountains that impress with their wild and pristine beauty. The coasts of Epirus in the Ionian offer some of the best beaches in Greece and also big tourist resorts (Parga, Syvota, Preveza, etc.) that accommodate millions of visitors from Greece or abroad every year. The visitor can easily escape to the touristic Ionian Islands like Corfu and Lefkada. Epirus with its virgin natural environment, the historical monuments (archaeological sites, oracles, monasteries), the museums, the traditional villages, the local’s hospitality and its traditional music, satisfies the most demanding visitor.
Beautiful mountains, rivers, gorges, lakes, meadows, marshes and also rare species of fauna and flora are some of the elements that make this region truly fascinating. The area includes a considerable number of nature Protected Areas (29 Natura 2000 and a Ramsar site) and it is the only Region of Greece hosting five National Parks governed by Management Bodies. The quality of the terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of these National Parks is outstanding with very diverse flora and fauna and some of the rare and endemic species living here have a high ecological value not only nationwide but also worldwide. The Protected Areas also have scientific and educational interest and there are also important geological structures and important cultural elements (archaeological, historical etc.).
- The Five National Parks (Tzoumerka, Pindos, Amvrakikos, Acheronta/Kalamas, Pamvotis Lake) of Epirus Region are considered few of Greece’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- Popular destinations in close proximity.