Volunteer Opportunities at an Environmental Sustainability Project in Spain

One of my favorite memories from my time at Casita Verde was harvesting carob from the giant carob tree in the middle of the dining area. We set down huge tarps underneath and whacked the branches with poles to make the carob pods rain down, climbing up to shake the branches on tricky parts. It was incredible time to work together with every single member of Casita Verde to work the land and collect what residents had been nurturing for decades.

I recommend Casita Verde to people who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, who come in ready to lead structured workdays, and for people willing to work hard! Harvesting carob was awesome but at the end of the day my arms were so sore from holding a 7ft rod above my head all afternoon! Speaking Spanish is a definite plus— when I was there it was about 50/50 Spanish/English communication for the first half, then when the English-speakers finished volunteering and left we communicated all in Spanish.

I am a 54 yr. old Seattle-area resident on a career break from the IT industry, seeking a more sustainable way of life. Through Google, I was brought to Greenheart Travel and Casita Verde, in Ibiza, Spain. I am new to the permaculture lifestyle, which is why I would also recommend it to others who are new to eco-exchange programs.

I didn't know what to expect on my 3-week visit, but was open to the adventure of going to a new country where I didn't even know the language. From the moment I was greeted at the airport by Casita Verde founder Chris Dews, my visit became a trans-formative experience.

Chris' vision is a conscious connection to the earth, and the sustainability of its health. His love for the island of Ibiza becomes infectious to all who meet him. And each week he leads a 3-hour tour of Casita Verde where he shares his passion for sustainability and permaculture techniques. He advocates cooperating and collaborating with others on the island, such as resort operators, in order to bring about incremental changes in the way we interact with the earth and its limited resources.

At the same time, you are learning about new ways of eating sustainable diets. You are meeting and working with a group of around 6-12 international volunteers, most of whom are in the 25-35 age range, but also some like me who are older. Singles or couples are welcome. And because you are all working together to make Casita Verde function as a living, breathing organism, you find that the friendships you forge are some of the best you have made.

You find yourself in educational discussions about important environmental issues impacting the world today. And you learn from others in a collaborative setting about what it means to live sustainably, and to do so with others. And you are living with an open mind as you meet others from around the world bringing their own culture with them.

Through your affiliation as a volunteer at Greenheart’s Casita Verde eco-experiental center, even if you have practically no Spanish or Catalan speaking ability, you will feel welcome at local markets, music jams, and breathtaking sunset gatherings at local beaches.

All this sets the stage for a magical, life-changing experience.

The most meaningful part of my experience was to live a completely different lifestyle, and to look at the world in completely new ways. A way that was ecological, sustainable, relaxed, and fun. To meet new people and have new experiences.

Below is a link to a video I made of the place. If the video doesn't convey to you well, know that I absolutely loved my time in Ibiza and it has had a deep and lasting impact on my life - in terms of my outlook, how I live and just me on a personal level. Maybe it will do the same for you?

I absolutely love volunteering and I wanted to make my mark across the pond, so I decided to go to Ibiza, Spain. At first I was extremely nervous because it was my first time to Europe alone and I had recently turned eighteen. The thought of going to a different country without my parents was very appealing but also very frightening. When I arrived I was greeted by two smiling faces. I was immediately calmed by their big hugs and comforting words, right then and there I knew it was going to be an amazing experience. Everyone at Casita was so open, kind, funny, smart, and talented. They accepted me into their close-knit family and I quickly considered them very close friends; I love them all greatly. I was in Spain for the last two weeks of the 2011 year and it was one of the best two weeks of my life. Everyday we had a group meeting to designate the activites and then we would go on about our jobs. At about 2 we had lunch, usually a family affair, and then we got on with our activities after. Saturdays we usually went to the market for some free time to shop and Mondays were free days where you could take a day excursion and explore the island. The only challenge I had was being less wasteful; a challenge that many Americans face everyday. I made so many new friends that I will stay in contact with for the rest of my life. I learned so much about the environment and how to take care of it. Everything I learned at Casita Verde I brought back to the States and have incorporated into my everyday life. My trip to Spain changed me and I would go back in a heartbeat.