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.
Key volunteer activities
Standard volunteer duties involve both office based work and fieldwork which include: maintenance and development of park’s website; setting up of resource centre; preparation of scientific reports and articles; writing letters; participation in field research and guarding patrols. Volunteers will work close to one another in the Parks’ abundant and diverse ecosystems and will play a uniquely rewarding part in researching and management of these unique Greek PAs. However, volunteers are very much encouraged to develop their skills in their chosen field. You will learn a range of skills from those focused on research such as data processing, biological surveys, camera trapping, and species identification, to practical skills such as first aid, canoeing, rafting, wildlife photography and more.
Who can participate?
The intern programme is usually for college/ university students, who want to advance 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.
However, this PAs management programme can attract people of all ages and from all walks of life whether they are students on gap year, professionals taking career breaks, mature volunteers using their retirement wanting to have a holiday with a difference. It is suitable both for volunteers travel alone or for couple travellers.
Free Time and Optional Activities
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.
Getting Here
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.
Support
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!
Travel insurance
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.
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.
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 locals 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.).
Highlights
- 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.
