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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
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Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
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Want to volunteer as an Environmental Educator in Brazil? Our Travel Roots Environmental Education Program is your opportunity to create meaningful change by inspiring the next generation of eco-leaders.
This immersive program takes place in a vibrant conservation hub nestled within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest—one of the most biologically rich and threatened ecosystems on the planet. You’ll collaborate with passionate educators and conservationists to deliver creative, engaging lessons to local schoolchildren and youth from nearby communities.
You’ll be working as part of the Young Eco-Leaders initiative, helping students understand the vital connection between healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing. Lessons range from forest ecology and climate change to recycling and sustainable farming. Most sessions are conducted in nearby schools or in nature itself, offering students experiential learning in the heart of the rainforest.
You don’t need to be a teacher to take part—just bring enthusiasm, an open heart, and a willingness to connect.
Lessons are often interactive and flexible, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own creative ideas to inspire curiosity and care for the environment.
Key Activities:
Assisting with environmental education sessions for local children
Helping to design and deliver workshops focused on forest ecology, sustainability, and conservation
Creating games, crafts, and outdoor activities to reinforce eco-learning
Supporting events and school visits during special eco-themed days or festivals
Collaborating with local educators and community leaders to tailor learning to local needs
Helping with logistics and outreach for the Young Eco-Leaders program
By volunteering on our Environmental Education Program in Brazil, you will:
Help educate and inspire the next generation of eco-leaders in local rural communities
Develop valuable teaching, communication, and intercultural skills through hands-on experience
Support conservation efforts by raising awareness and encouraging sustainable lifestyles
Work closely with passionate local educators and conservation professionals
Experience life in a remote rainforest setting and deepen your connection with nature
Create engaging educational content that blends creativity with environmental science
Contribute directly to the protection of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest by empowering young minds
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Environmental Educator Volunteer in Brazil
As a volunteer on the Environmental Education Program in Brazil, your day will be filled with purpose, connection, and variety. You’ll work alongside local staff, teachers, and fellow volunteers to deliver engaging educational content while helping to instil a passion for conservation in young minds.
You’ll primarily assist with the Young Eco Leaders program, Iracambi’s flagship environmental education initiative designed to inspire local schoolchildren to become guardians of their forest. Lessons are delivered both in-class and outdoors, combining environmental science with games, art, storytelling, and real-life conservation activities.
Volunteers also help design and develop new curriculum materials, run workshops on themes such as biodiversity, water conservation, recycling, and climate action, and sometimes accompany students on educational excursions or host activities at the on-site forest school.
Example Daily Schedule
7:00 AM – Breakfast in the volunteer centre
8:00 AM – Lesson planning or preparing learning materials
9:30 AM – Head to a local school or receive visiting students onsite
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Deliver environmental workshops or lead interactive games
12:30 PM – Group lunch at Iracambi’s restaurant
2:00 PM – Assist with afternoon activities such as arts & crafts, trail walks, or nature talks
4:00 PM – Free time to relax, explore the forest, or join in community outreach
6:30 PM – Dinner
Evening – Share stories with fellow volunteers, review the day, or plan tomorrow’s sessionsThis program is perfect for aspiring educators, environmental science students, or anyone passionate about youth empowerment and nature. The work is deeply rewarding, combining creativity, impact, and cultural exchange.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By joining our Environmental Education Program in Brazil, you’re doing more than just teaching—you’re helping to shape the next generation of environmental stewards in one of the world’s most ecologically vital regions. Your presence and participation directly support the development and delivery of sustainable education that fosters pride, awareness, and responsibility in local youth.
Your contribution empowers schoolchildren to:
Understand the value of the Atlantic Forest and why it needs protection
Learn about biodiversity, conservation, climate change, and sustainable practices
Build confidence and develop leadership skills through hands-on learning
Connect their everyday lives with environmental solutions
Your efforts also relieve pressure on local teachers, enhance the quality of rural education, and help create a ripple effect—what children learn, they take home to their families and communities. Every workshop you run, every game you facilitate, and every story you share plants seeds of change that grow far beyond the classroom.
You're not just helping protect a forest. You're helping build a movement.
Your Home in The Atlantic Rainforest
During your time on the Environmental Educator Program, you’ll stay at the heart of the Iracambi Research and Conservation Center — nestled in the lush Atlantic Forest.
You’ll be living either in the main Center building or in one of the five rustic yet comfortable cabins spread throughout the reserve. The Center itself is a 75-year-old house with four bedrooms (shared, two per room), a cozy living room, a library, and two bathrooms. The cabins also accommodate two people per room, and each includes a shared bathroom and living room space.
Facilities include:
Hot showers and electricity
24/7 Wi-Fi access
Communal living and study areas
Beautiful surroundings teeming with wildlife and rainforest views
All meals are provided on-site at the Center’s restaurant. You’ll enjoy three freshly prepared meals each day, blending local Brazilian flavours with nutritious, home-cooked comfort. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with notice.
Life here is about shared experiences, cultural exchange, and embracing the rhythms of the rainforest — where the natural world becomes your backyard and your fellow volunteers. become like family.
History
Our trusted partner in Brazil has been operating for over two decades, rooted in the Serra do Brigadeiro mountains within the Atlantic Forest—one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots. What began as a local conservation initiative has grown into a respected international NGO with a registered presence in both Brazil and the US. Over the past 21 years, they have:
Planted over 165,000 native trees
Established the region’s first environmental education programs
Created thousands of acres of protected forest
Hosted over 2,000 students, volunteers, and researchers from 67 countries
Implemented the first web-based GIS system in the region
Their research and conservation centre now features accommodation for 28 guests, a field laboratory, computer lab, forest nursery, extensive trail systems, and classrooms—all within a rainforest setting that invites immersive, hands-on learning.
Mission & Vision
Their mission is simple but powerful: "Saving Forests and Changing Lives." They aim to restore the Atlantic Forest while uplifting the communities who live within and around it. Through programs focused on natural resource management, reforestation, biodiversity research, and community education, they seek to create a harmonious balance between environmental restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
They believe that true conservation starts with people. By involving local communities, young leaders, and global volunteers in their work, they cultivate a new generation of environmental stewards committed to restoring degraded landscapes, protecting native species, and promoting socio-environmental justice. Their long-term vision is to see a flourishing Atlantic Forest landscape, rich in biodiversity and opportunity, where humans and nature thrive together.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees
Duration Fee (EUR)
1 week €208
2 weeks €416
3 weeks €624
4 weeks €792
6 weeks €1,188
8 weeks €1,584
10 weeks €1,980
12 weeks €2,376
What’s Included ✅
✅ Accommodation at the Research and Conservation Center
✅ Three freshly cooked meals per day
✅ Airport pick-up and return transfer (from designated locations)
✅ Project training and orientation
✅ Expert guidance from experienced field professionals
✅ 24/7 on ground support
✅ Wi-Fi access and workspace
✅ Access to on-site facilities including forest trails and laboratories
✅ Welcome pack full of useful information
✅ Certificate of Completion at the end of your placement
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Conservation, Education & Yourself
Your program fee isn’t just a cost—it’s a powerful investment in the future of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and in your own personal development.
By volunteering here, you gain:
Transferable skills in education, teamwork, sustainability, and leadership
Hands-on experience in ecological fieldwork and environmental communication
A deeper global awareness of conservation challenges in vulnerable regions
Connections with passionate changemakers from around the world
Confidence and clarity for your future academic or career goals
And every euro goes toward sustaining the forest, supporting local youth programs, and ensuring this vital work continues. You’re not just planting seeds in the rainforest—you’re planting seeds for a better world.
Where You'll Be: Atlantic Forest, Minas Gerais – Brazil
Your volunteer experience will take place in the heart of the Atlantic Forest in the mountainous region of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. This lush and ecologically rich environment is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, home to thousands of endemic plant and animal species. The landscape features dramatic hills, tropical vegetation, clear streams, and endless birdsong—a paradise for nature lovers and conservationists.
This region is both remote and vibrant. Though it feels a world away from the fast pace of urban life, volunteers live within a welcoming local community who are deeply connected to the forest. The nearest town is Rosário da Limeira, and the nearest city is Muriae. Volunteers often take weekend trips to explore nearby areas, including waterfalls, traditional farms, and local artisan markets.
About Brazil
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and offers a vast array of landscapes, cultures, and natural wonders. While known for iconic destinations like the Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, and Iguazu Falls, Brazil’s lesser-known Atlantic Forest is equally spectacular—though far more endangered.
Cultural Richness: A diverse mix of Indigenous, African, and Portuguese heritage shines through Brazil’s music, food, and language.
Biodiversity Hotspot: The Atlantic Forest is home to jaguars, monkeys, toucans, and an astonishing number of endemic plants and insects.
Climate: Expect tropical to subtropical conditions—hot during the day, cooler in the evenings, and wetter from November to March (prime reforestation season).
Language: Portuguese is the national language, but you’ll pick up helpful phrases during your stay. Local staff speak English and will help bridge the gap.
This is more than just a beautiful destination—it’s a meaningful opportunity to support conservation efforts in one of the most ecologically threatened regions on the planet.
Volunteering offers not only meaningful conservation work but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural richness of Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest during your free time. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, the surrounding area provides a variety of activities to enhance your experience.
Nature Exploration
Embark on hikes through lush forest trails, climb local mountains for breathtaking views, or swim in crystal-clear rivers and waterfalls. These activities allow you to connect deeply with the diverse ecosystems of the Atlantic Rainforest.
Cultural Immersion
Engage with the local community by attending traditional festivals, especially during the winter months of June and July. Participate in communal dinners, bonfires, or barbecues to experience the warmth and hospitality of Brazilian culture.
Wellness and Relaxation
Find tranquility by practicing yoga or meditation in serene natural settings. Alternatively, relax in a hammock with a good book, soaking in the peaceful ambiance of the rainforest.
Weekend Excursions
Plan trips to nearby attractions such as the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, known for its rich biodiversity, or visit historic towns like Ouro Preto and Mariana to explore colonial architecture and local history.
These activities provide a well-rounded experience, allowing you to contribute to conservation efforts while enjoying the diverse offerings of the Atlantic Rainforest.
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