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Agroforestry, Bobby Walks and So Much More!

Author: Dominic White

Agroforestry Volunteer Experience 1

The Forester Volunteer Experience

I have been on the forestry program in Nosy Komba for twelve weeks now and I have enjoyed every moment. The typical week on project involves a bird survey or reptile transect on Monday and Tuesday, a church walk or ‘Bobby walk’ on Wednesday and agroforestry, lemur surveys or invasive species removal on Thursday and Friday.

The activities which I have enjoyed the most were agroforestry and ‘Bobby walks’. Agroforestry involved helping a local from around the island to create a sustainable farm. This was enjoyable because I felt involved with the community and the difference we made was easy to recognize. The Bobby walks, so named after a legendary local staff member on camp, involved hikes around the island which took up to 11 hours. I enjoyed these because it provided a great way to see different parts of the island and allowed us to do reptile plot surveys in new environments.

Agroforestry Volunteer Experience 2

During our spare time here at camp, I learnt about the different bird, reptile and amphibian species found in Madagascar. This was a good way to pass the time and allowed me to get the most out of surveys. My studies are in economics and it is unlikely I will have many opportunities to learn about these species in the future.

Agroforestry Volunteer Experience 3

On the weekend, many of the volunteers go swimming on the beach a few meters away from camp, visit the local town or take trips to nearby islands and mainland Madagascar. The best trip which I took was to Ankarana, a national park on mainland. Here, we were able to appreciate the species we had learnt about on camp in a new environment. We also experienced what the forests around Nosy Komba could look like in the future if efforts to conserve it are continued.

Overall, the most I have learnt has come from interacting with the locals, especially during the agroforestry and village cleans. They have taught me the importance of the forest and some of the sustainable ways that humans and ecosystems can interact. I hope that the important work here at MRCI continues and the forest and ocean environments are improved further.

 

Read More about our AgroForestry

& Check Out Our Forest Conservation Program!

Agroforestry Volunteer Experience 4

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 day ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Join us in Marine program and explore and learn this sea slug biodiversity in our home reef! 🔥☺️#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #turtletowerhomereef #nudibranch #seaslug #marineprogram #conservation #biodiversity #indicatorspecies #importantrole #marinelife ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

7 days ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
It was a good week to say hi to everyone from us with a cool drone shot by @dadsonnnnnnn 🎉🥳 #madagascarvolunteer #volunteer #volunteering #goodweek #volunteeringisfun #turtlecove #itsthewibe ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 week ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Meet Solly, our much-loved Marine Conservation Officer at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI). Growing up in a small rural fishing community in northern Madagascar, he has always had a deep connection to the oceanSoon after completing his higher education, Solly enrolled in the University of North Antsiranana where he earned a Master’s Degree in Marine SciencesIn 2019, Solly was accepted as a marine intern at MRCI. With his amazing attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm, he was quickly promoted to Marine Conservation OfficerSolly’s dream is to become a PADI Diving Instructor.MRCI has undertaken to create this GoFundMe account in collaboration with Emily Borth to help Solly achieve his dream.Please donate and help us make Solly’s dream come true by click the link below! 🙏🏼☺️https://gofund.me/176e591dPhoto credit : @hello_socialbutterfly 🌸#madagascar #madagascarvolunteer #solly’sdream #fundraiser #padiinstructor #PADIIDC2023 #PADIIDC2024 #paditv #localmarinebiologist #marineresearch #padiprofessional #futurecareer #gofundme ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Hiiii volunteers of the week! 🥰Shoutout to community and construction team and also Jeronimo for showing the dignity, commitment, passion to the program and most important to the people in the village!We are lucky to have you all here at our camp 🎉Join us? Click link on bio 🐣#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteeroftheweek #volunteering #community #teachingenglish #construction #buildingtrashsystem #paintingtheschool #forkids #forlocals #communityengagement ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
We are glad to share that our community library in Ampangorina village has been refurbished by our community volunteers, staff and help from little hands! ☺️In many of the village in Madagascar, young people have little to no access to reading materials, we hope by keep adding books to our community library can improve in children’s literacyThanks to our volunteers that donated the books, your help and support is always appreciated 😇🌸#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #community #communitylibrary #forchildren #local #books #donatedbooks #improvingchildrenliteracy #communitydevelopment ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

3 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Hello teachers! 🎉Our community program is strong as we have a lot of volunteers that are passionate to give what they have to the local community in the village by teaching english, from the kids classes to adult classes, beginner to intermediate level! Its very rewarding when you come to Madagascar with a purpose and leave knowing you made a positive impact! 🎉❤️Join us on the Community program, click link on bio! 🔥#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #teachers #english #beginnerclass #intermediateclass #learning #education #forlocals #impact #purpose #communityeducation #engagement #volunteeringisfun ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

4 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Congratulations Jack-ie Chan and Daan 🎉 Thanks for bringing a lot of good mood and joy to the camp, also for your consistent contribution in Forest program and Marine program, we glad to have you guys around and leave with an impact! Volunteering with us click link on bio!#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

4 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Today we went to the shipwreck for a dive that called mitsio wreck🛥 located not too far from Nosy Komba only 35min boat drive!And please meet the toxic trio (Stone fish, Lion fish as well Scorpion fish)! Can you guys spotted it? 🙈 they are incredibly well camouflaged and sometimes even use biofluorescence (glowing with a different color) to blend into their environment 🥰These carnivores got their name from the many toxic spikes and spines across their bodies. The venom from these contains powerful neurotoxins that can be extremely painful, and even deadly. And yes, that goes for humans too!We also wants to congratulate Gorka & Emily for finishing their Advance Open Water course and now its time to learn more about our ocean and help us to carry the survey as soon as they develop our @conservationdiverofficial EMP course in Marine Program! 🥳Join us? Click link on our bio 🎉#madagascar #madagascarvolunteer #marineconservation #mitsiowreck #stonefish #lionfish #scorpionfish #biodiversity #marinelife #conservation #citizenscientist #marineconservationist #practicesurvey ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Job Opportunity in Madagascar at Madagascar Research Conservation Institute (MRCI)!We are looking for PADI Dive Instructor 🤿 who wants to join our team and amazing project in Marine Conservation program which you’ll be able to grow in person with us!We are looking a responsible person who is passionate about diving, strong background of conservation, PADI renewed instructor who is able to teach and followed all the safety standard of diving from Open Water up to Dive Master, and able to service and maintain all diving equipment 🌊Applicants who have completed Conservation Diver internship or Instructor training will be looked upon more favorable as the role will eventually teaching of @conservationdiverofficial course, even some experience in remote areas! What we offer is basic salary, commission on courses, 3 meals a day, accommodation and visas are provided. We are looking to fill this role as soon as possible, get in touch and please send your CV to Wendy@madagascarvolunteer.com ! ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Our marine volunteers are in the water to do practice survey with their EMP course with Solly our local marine biologist!Everyday our volunteers will start the lecture on the topic’s how to monitoring our key indicator species of Invertebrates, Fish, and assess the bottom composition including coral and their state of health followed by a dive to put the theory into the practical 🎉 Our instructor will do debrief after the dive, talking about the struggle that they’ve encountered and give volunteers better understanding more about the ecology of our local reef. Join us in Marine program and help us to raise awareness and be a citizen scientist wherever you go! 🔥And if you feel you can help Solly to achieve his dream to be PADI dive instructor to develop his professional career please share or donate by click the link below, we do really appreciate all the help! 🎉😍https://gofund.me/176e591d#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #conservation #citizenscientist #marine #conservationdiver #marinebiologist #supportcommunity #staffdevelopment #EMPcourse #ecology #reefmonitoring #practicesurvey #solly’sdream #fundraiser #padiinstructor #PADIIDC2023 #PADIIDC2024 #paditv #localmarinebiologist #marineresearch #padiprofessional #futurecareer #gofundme ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Us

Madagascar Office: Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute, Home Sakalava, Rue R Tsiomeko, Hell-Ville, Nosy Be, Madagascar
Phone: +261 32 50 891 57
Office Hours: Please take note of the time zone differences when contacting us.
Email: volunteer@madagascarvolunteer.com

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Teaching | Marine Conservation | Forest Conservation | Combinations

Disclaimer:  We reserve the right to change our Volunteer Programs at any time, without prior notice.