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Feral Cat Monitoring Program in Greece
Overview
Monitoring and managing feral cat populations to support ecological balance and native wildlife protection
Minimum 15 days, flexible durations available after.
Shared rooms at the Kalamos Island Biological Field Station
Approximately 25 hours per week
Weekends off
Interested in wildlife conservation and animal welfare? Our Travel Roots Feral Cat Monitoring Program in Greece offers a rare opportunity to contribute to ecological research while supporting humane population management on a protected island ecosystem.
Restoring balance between species
Kalamos Island is a biodiversity hotspot—but like many Mediterranean islands, it faces challenges with invasive species, particularly feral cats. While these animals are part of the local fabric, unchecked populations can severely impact native birds, reptiles, and small mammals. This program aims to protect the island’s unique wildlife by studying, monitoring, and supporting humane solutions for feral cat management.Help monitor and protect native species
You’ll work alongside local conservationists to track cat colonies, assess habitat impact, and record behavioural data. The insights you gather contribute to long-term research that informs ecosystem management and animal welfare strategies.Conservation with compassion
This is not a removal program—it’s a science-led, non-invasive initiative focused on observation, education, and community awareness. Volunteers may also help prepare public outreach materials or assist with veterinary-related logistics if sterilisation or health interventions are scheduled during your stay.A wildlife-focused program for animal lovers
Ideal for those interested in biology, ecology, or veterinary sciences, this program offers both fieldwork and opportunities to reflect on ethical conservation practices.Key Activities:
Tracking feral cat colonies using observational surveys and GPS mapping
Recording population dynamics, feeding behaviour, and movement patterns
Assessing ecological impact on local bird, reptile, and small mammal populations
Assisting with public awareness materials or education outreach
Supporting sterilisation logistics (non-clinical), if applicable
Helping maintain a wildlife sighting database
Living within and observing the fragile balance of a protected island ecosystem
Your work helps build the foundation for long-term ecological balance while ensuring animals are treated with care and respect.
By volunteering on our Feral Cat Monitoring Program in Greece, you will:
• Contribute to vital research on feral cat populations and their ecological impact
• Support humane wildlife conservation efforts on a protected island
• Track and observe wildlife in a natural, off-grid environment
• Gain field experience in behavioural monitoring and species interaction studies
• Help protect native birds, reptiles, and small mammals from invasive threats
• Learn ethical, science-based approaches to animal management and welfare
• Live simply and sustainably in one of Greece’s most peaceful island settings
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Feral Cat Monitoring Volunteer
Your days on Kalamos Island will be a mix of peaceful observation, field data collection, and quiet time to connect with nature. The work is structured but relaxed, offering opportunities for learning, reflection, and real contribution to ecological balance.
Here’s what a typical weekday might look like:
7:30 AM – Morning Wake-Up & Breakfast
Begin your day with a light breakfast in the field station’s communal kitchen, overlooking the sea and surrounded by forest.8:00 AM – Morning Observation Walks
Join a small group to walk designated areas where cat colonies have been identified. You’ll use field logs or mobile apps to record sightings, behaviours, numbers, and GPS locations. Quiet patience is key—these are free-ranging animals in their natural behaviours.11:00 AM – Data Entry & Discussion
Back at base, you’ll enter and analyse data from the morning’s surveys. You might also review camera trap footage or help update colony maps and sighting logs.12:30 PM – Shared Lunch & Rest Time
Enjoy a plant-based, community-cooked lunch. Afterward, relax, take a swim, or explore the trails near the station.2:00 PM – Habitat Assessment or Awareness Work
In the afternoon, tasks might include habitat checks (e.g. bird nesting areas or reptile zones), prepping educational posters, or helping update conservation materials. Occasionally, you'll assist in preparing logistics for veterinary visits or colony health checks.4:00 PM – Free Time & Exploration
Evenings are yours to enjoy—take a dip in the sea, read under a tree, visit the village, or just reflect in the peace of the island.6:30 PM – Dinner & Conservation Talk
End the day with a shared meal and optional informal discussions about conservation ethics, invasive species, or island ecology.Days Off
Volunteers typically have weekends free to explore Kalamos or visit nearby islands like Kastos. You can snorkel, hike, or simply enjoy the quiet rhythms of nature.Each day is peaceful but purposeful, with the knowledge that your presence is helping protect a fragile ecosystem—one quiet step at a time.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
Your presence on Kalamos Island plays a key role in balancing compassion with conservation. Feral cat populations—though often overlooked—can be one of the most serious threats to island biodiversity. By monitoring their numbers, behaviour, and movement patterns, you’re helping collect the data needed to develop humane, science-led solutions that protect both native species and animal welfare.
Every sighting you record, every track you log, and every hour you spend observing helps build a clearer picture of the island’s ecological dynamics. This information supports long-term strategies for preserving bird populations, safeguarding vulnerable reptiles, and reducing pressure on natural ecosystems.
But your impact goes beyond data.
You’re also helping shift perceptions—supporting a model of conservation that values both ecosystem integrity and kindness toward animals. Through awareness, observation, and education, you’ll help demonstrate that effective wildlife protection doesn’t require cruelty, only care and commitment.
By the time you leave, you’ll not only have contributed to real ecological work—you’ll also have grown as a conscious global citizen, with a deeper understanding of how to live in harmony with both wild nature and domestic animals.
Your Home on Kalamos Island
Volunteers live at the Kalamos Island Biological Field Station, nestled within the island’s forested hills and overlooking the Ionian Sea. The station is the heart of the eco-community and fully off-grid—powered by solar energy and surrounded by native trees, gardens, and wildlife.
Sleeping Arrangements
Accommodation is shared and modest, with volunteers staying in same-gender rooms or mixed dorms depending on availability. Rooms include basic beds or mattresses, mosquito nets, and storage for personal belongings. You'll need to bring your own sleeping bag and towel.Facilities & Amenities
• Compost toilets and simple, cold-water showers
• Shared kitchen and communal eating area
• Solar-powered lighting and limited electricity
• Drinking water sourced sustainably from nearby springs
• No Wi-Fi or electronic charging—digital detox encouraged
• Optional charging at the village (15-minute walk) for essentials like phonesMeals & Food System
All meals are plant-based, locally sourced, and largely organic. Volunteers participate in preparing meals and help manage the eco-kitchen. Ingredients come from the garden, foraging, or ethical local suppliers. The food is fresh, simple, and nourishing—reflecting the community’s zero-waste and slow-living ethos.Living with Intention
The accommodation is part of the learning experience. You’ll practice sustainable living daily:
• Reusing water and composting organic waste
• Cooking in teams and eating together
• Using biodegradable products only
• Sharing chores to maintain clean, communal spacesLiving here means stepping into a way of life that’s intentional, respectful, and in tune with the environment. It’s not luxurious—but it’s meaningful, grounding, and beautifully simple.
History
Located on Kalamos Island in the heart of the Inner Ionian Marine Protected Area, our trusted partner began with a vision to protect and restore one of Europe’s last untouched island ecosystems. Founded by conservationists and local environmental advocates, the project evolved into a registered non-profit, with a long-term commitment to ecological regeneration, sustainable development, and rewilding both land and sea.
The eco-community began as a grassroots movement focused on reconnecting people with nature through simple living, organic farming, and traditional knowledge. It has since grown into a fully operational field station and volunteer hub—empowering individuals from around the world to live intentionally and contribute to meaningful change.
Mission & Vision
The mission is to protect and restore natural ecosystems while demonstrating that low-impact, community-led living can be both practical and powerful. Through habitat restoration, organic agriculture, and education, the organization works to foster a deeper respect for nature and challenge modern consumer-driven lifestyles.
The long-term vision is to create a self-sufficient, regenerative eco-village that blends human well-being with ecological restoration. Volunteers are key to this mission—not only as helping hands, but as future ambassadors of sustainable change worldwide.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fee
Duration Fee (€)
15 days €315
4 weeks €565
6 weeks €915
8 weeks €1,265
10 weeks €1,615
12 weeks €1,965
16 weeks €2,665
Prices are based on €315 for the first 15 days, then €25 per additional day.
What’s Included
✅ Shared eco-accommodation at the Kalamos Island Biological Field Station
✅ Plant-based meals made with organic and local ingredients
✅Training, field tools, and mentoring by experienced coordinators
✅ All conservation activities and educational sessions
✅ Use of communal tools, equipment, and field station resources
✅ Support from experienced coordinators and fellow volunteers
✅ Opportunities to join workshops, eco-walks, and nature talks
✅ Flexible dates with the ability to extend on a per-day basis✅ Certifcate of completion
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Island Conservation and Yourself
When you join this program, your money goes beyond housing and food—it funds local sustainability efforts, protects fragile ecosystems, supports long-term ecological research, and helps maintain a functional, low-impact base for conservation. But most importantly, it's an investment in yourself.
You’ll gain hands-on field experience, build new skills in ecology and animal behaviour, and deepen your understanding of what it means to live simply and sustainably. You’ll grow more confident, more connected, and more conscious of your place in the natural world.
Whether you're an aspiring ecologist, a student of life, or simply someone seeking a deeper kind of travel, this experience offers more than a break—it offers transformation.
Where You'll Be: Kalamos Island, Greece
Kalamos is a small, mountainous island nestled in the heart of the Inner Ionian Sea, part of a designated marine protected area in western Greece. With no cars, no large-scale tourism, and no heavy development, the island is a rare sanctuary of peace and biodiversity.
Home to dense pine forests, crystal-clear waters, and quiet pebble beaches, Kalamos is a hidden gem for nature lovers and those seeking to disconnect from modern pressures. The island’s only village, also called Kalamos, is a traditional fishing community with welcoming locals and a slow pace of life.
The eco-community is located just outside the village, surrounded by olive trees, forest, and ocean views. The atmosphere is tranquil, inspiring, and perfectly suited for introspection, learning, and meaningful contribution.
Greece – A Land of Nature, History & Hospitality
While Greece is best known for its ancient ruins and sun-drenched islands, it’s also a land of deep ecological and cultural richness. The Ionian region is famous for its protected coastlines, traditional village life, and strong sense of community.
Greece’s Mediterranean climate means you’ll enjoy warm summers and mild winters, with clear skies and abundant sunshine most of the year. Life here flows slowly—offering space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Whether you’re admiring the wild landscapes, sharing a meal with locals, or watching the stars from your tent, this experience offers more than travel—it offers transformation.
Your time off on Kalamos Island offers a beautiful balance of rest, exploration, and immersion in nature. Whether you seek solitude, adventure, or cultural connection, this remote paradise has something for every kind of traveller.
Nature & Adventure
• Swim in crystal-clear Ionian waters – Just a short walk from the eco-community, the sea is perfect for refreshing daily swims.
• Hike scenic forest trails – Explore Kalamos’ ancient pine forests, rugged hills, and coastal paths with panoramic sea views.
• Snorkel along untouched coastline – Discover underwater life in protected marine zones surrounding the island.
• Stargazing & moonlight walks – With minimal light pollution, the island is ideal for nights under the stars.
Cultural & Local Experiences
• Visit Kalamos village – Walk into the traditional fishing village to visit local shops, sip Greek coffee, or connect with island residents.
• Take a boat to nearby islands – On days off, arrange informal boat rides to explore nearby Kastos Island or the mainland port of Mytikas.
• Join cultural talks or storytelling circles – Learn about Greek history, mythology, and sustainable living through informal evening sessions.
Community & Personal Growth
• Practice yoga, meditation, or journaling in nature
• Join optional permaculture or rewilding workshops
• Help organise a community dinner or skill share night
This is a place for slowing down and soaking up the rhythms of nature. Whether you’re wandering ancient paths, harvesting olives, or simply sharing a quiet moment on the hillside, your free time will be filled with clarity, connection, and inspiration.
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