Program Reviews

Project Biodiversity was amazing!

I was able to visit Sal, Cape Verde for 1 month. It was my first time on the island, and it was quite a treat. The housing was amazing, and the the people even better! Everyone had such amazing backgrounds and so very skilled.

I was 18 and turned 19 on the trip. Everyone else was so much more qualified than me, but that did not stop people from interacting with me, and they allowed me to participate in as many tasks as I could/wanted to.

If you are considering doing some volunteering work, consider Project Biodiversity! If you are working with the birds, gets some boots because we are moving! Such a blast, highly recommend!

I had the opportunity to volunteer with Project Biodiversity for three weeks this summer and I can tell it has been an amazing experience, one of the bests of my life.

I have had the privilege to learn about marine turtles, local wildlife and so many other things with the best professionals on the island. It was great because we were committed to protecting this unique species, at the same time we were providing our small contribution to the planet. Moreover, I could improve my English skills significantly.

The greatest thing was meeting people from different countries and creating a special bond with them. I felt truly considered and respected all the time and enjoyed every experience with them. I hope to see them soon.

The only thing I would change would be the short time I spent there.

In short, I highly recommend this experience for anyone who is considering joining. You will have the best summer of your life!

I voluntereed with the project for three weeks during this summer and now I can say that it was the best experience of my life.
I learned a lot about turtles and the relation between us and the nature.
I met fantastic people and thanks to them I felt part of a real team where everyone help each other.
Of course the life it's not easy, you have to walk a lot and you have not so much time to sleep but I can assure you it's worth it!
The feeling you prove to save a turtle, a nest and to know that you are doing the right thing it's impossible to describe, I would do it another 1000 times.
Don't hesitate to join the project, you won't regret it!

The hours are long, the tents are sandy and the turtles don't even say thank you.

However, the hard work is ultimately rewarding, with the knowledge that this work plays a very important practical role in the conservation of an endangered species.

There is also something to be said for how closely you will actually work with the turtles, providing a very rare opportunity to interact with such amazing animals up close. From measuring and tagging the adults, to releasing hatchlings to the sea.

Camp life itself is a great lesson in recycling and sustainability, with nothing going to waste and fewer home comforts than many are used to.

Days off offer a great opportunity to go diving, snorkelling, sample the night life and perhaps drink a beer or two in the sun.

Definitely worth it.

I volunteered with the project for two months during Summer 2018 and it truly was an amazing experience. It was my first time as a volunteer and I can honestly say I’d do it all again. Not only the project is very well managed but most importantly, it truly makes a difference in taking care of the environment and protecting sea turtles.
When I applied I was looking for a way to use my time to do something good and meaningful and I found it: during my time with the project I learned a lot about sea turtles, but also about Cape Verte and about myself. I had the chance to meet great people, to work with both nesting turtles and hatchlings and to explore the island and its most beautiful beaches, to snorkel in my time off and to work under a sky full of so many stars it always took my breath away other than providing with enough light to spot nesting turtles coming out of the water from a distance.
Living on the beach was one of my favourite parts of the whole experience, it was impossible to get bored with so many people around but at the same time I got a lot of time to think and make important decisions.
Working with sea turtles is fascinating, never boring, and can also be a lot of fun! It is physically demanding and requests a lot of walking but it’s definitely worth it. So if you’re looking for an adventure, for a way to make a difference and to learn don’t hesitate and join the project!

I was volunteering with Project Biodiversity during the summer 2018, and for one month and a half. I had an amazing time there, I learnt a lot about loggerhead turtles, but also about people, and about myself.
By joining the Project I was looking for meaningful time abroad protecting our planet and I am more than happy that I have been a part of this project.
I would recommend anyone to go there and see by himself. Working with turtles was amazing. You will have plenty of time to learn a lot, discuss with people, get time for yourself during the day.
So if you are in good physical condition, if you are not afraid by walking nights, and if you want to have the unique chance to be useful to wildlife, evolve with great people and learn a lot, do not hesitate, join the project.
You can find plenty of volunteers that could tell you more about the project and the experience, and I am one of those who enjoyed the time there. If I had the opportunity to join the project again, I would not hesitate! :)

I have been fortunate enough to join resident sea turtle biologist for nesting seasons around the world and this season, experience, was by far my favorite. I came as an experienced sea turtle biologist, with particular interest because I had not work with this species. Carreta Carreta or loggerhead. Even as a semi experienced sea turtle biologist I learned ALOT. it was a great and valuable experience for my future as a conservation biologist. The living situation, I do not want to say was hard but it depends on your type of personality. It was rustic. We slept in tents on the beach but we lucky enough to share a space with a Kite Boarding school. This gave us access to a kitchen and sitting area where during the day we could relax sit and the table, read, play games ect. Since we were on the beach and of course conservationist we tried to preserved resources as much as possible. We were allowed limited amount of bucket fresh water showers and limited access to fresh water to do laundry. Once a week we had a day off and the program was nice enough to rent us an apartment in town . There you could take a fresh water shower, enjoy restaurant food, the town and lay by the pool. For me , a fresh water shower once a week with ocean showers in-between was plenty. Others opted to take some fresh water bucket showers in-between. The season was incredible but prepare to work hard. We are all there for a passion for these animals and conservation and they need our help. There were sleepless night, arduous nights but with the support of my fellow field assistants and staff of the program it was one of the most rewarding expiernces of my life. I will never forget my time in Sal and with Project Biodiversidade.

I went to Project Biodiversity Hatchling season as a volunteer during 3 month and it was one of the best experiences of my live!

Volunteering it's always a great and richful experience but if you do that with a good NGO that knows how to do that and takes care of you, you'll enjoy it more. Thant's what Project Biodiversity is doing!

Hatchling season is amazing because brings you the opportunity to see, work/protect and help baby turtles!!
Work on this season is a little bit more relaxed than during the nesting season but anyway there's a lot to do. Morning patrols, hatchery nights taking care of the hatchlings, afteroon nest excavations are one of the jobs to be done.

In my opinion everything was quite good organized, so that helped a lot on our day by day. People involved in (staff, volunteers, etc...) were super nice and friendly which was also very grateful because work was so much easier and the free time sooo much funnier!

Definitely, an impressive and unforgettable experience with turtles that I recommend to everyone!