Volunteer Cambodia Forest Conservation

The Volunteer Cambodia Forest Steward Programme is based in Mondulkiri Province and works in conjunction with the Cambodia Elephant Forest Conservation Project.

The project intends to promote the development of a new legal classification of forest that is primarily for the use of the projects domestic elephants.

These managed forests will be of a suitable area, contain enough foodstuffs, forest cover and sufficient water to cope with the needs of the project's elephants. This provides the elephants daily time away from human activity and allows them to live in their natural habitat again.

Globalteer is a UK registered charity providing volunteer placements working in conservation in Asia.

Duration: 4 to 12 weeks

Hours: 5 days per week

Activities: Mapping forest. Re-forestation. Document the elephants use of the forest. Documentation of elephant feeding grounds and protection of rare orchids.

Location: Cambodia

Accommodation: Dormitory style accommodation with shared bathroom and lounge area on the slopes of the valley. Guesthouse in town on weekends.

Requirements: 18+, good fitness level

Donation: From UK£500 / US$750

Project Overview

Volunteers support the project's efforts to protect the forest in which the elephants live. The forest is also essential for the local people who depend upon it to create an income.

The project works with local Bunong villagers to support them in forestry protection activities such as mapping, footpath maintenance and boundary demarcation and tree replanting and transplanting.

The majority of these activities are carried out to protect the forest in which rehabilitated domestic elephants occupy and to aid the local Bunong Villagers in protecting their resources and their rights to use the same forest.

Mondulkiri has been experiencing massive and rapid deforestation in recent years from illegal logging, land grabbing and granted concessions in forests and protected areas.

The Elephant Valley Project in which the Forest Steward Programme and Cambodia Elephant Forest Conservation Project is based has proved no exception with illegal logging and land grabbing proving a constant threat to the future of the projects.

The local village of Putrom and its inhabitants (many of which work full or part time at the Elephant Valley Project) have done their best in recent years to resist these illegal activities that are highly damaging to their environment and resource base but have had little success.

The Forest Steward Program aims to assist these villagers in understanding their forest by mapping and documenting its trees and plants and the foraging and harvesting activities carried out there.

The Location

The project is based near the town of Sen Monorom in Mondulkiri province, eastern Cambodia, near the border of Vietnam.

The Forest Steward Programme is located eleven kilometres from the town in a protected area of forest we call the 'Elephant Forest' and also where we run the Elephant Forest Conservation Project. This area of Cambodia is one of the least impacted by tourism and gives volunteers a unique insight into rural Cambodian life and the tribal Bunong people.

The location provides a safe area away from the villages to treat sick and injured elephants while providing a hands on approach to education and welfare improvement. The Elephant Valley itself is a series of interlaced rented farms that simulates the same environs that mahouts (elephant keepers) use to look after their elephants. More importantly it also provides a large area of forest to allow elephants to escape human activity for the longest period of time possible.

Volunteer Accommodation

The first night’s accommodation is in Phnom Penh on Saturday night where you will be able to meet other volunteers. The rooms are clean and comfortable with private bathroom.

Volunteers stay in dormitory style accommodation located on the slopes of the elephant valley affording a stunning view over 30km of the surrounding forest where many varieties of birds can be seen from eagles to hornbills.

Three meals per day are provided at this project. The chef provides quality local and international meals. Vegans can be accommodated for and the variety and quality of food will suit all tastes.

Volunteers dine in the main complex overlooking the elephant valley. Sunset can be spent unwinding in the lounge enjoying the amazing sounds of the nocturnal forest creatures and the gibbons calling as they prepare to sleep.

Daily Schedule

Volunteers work a 5 day week. You will work closely with local villagers and a translator when necessary. Work will be centred around certain important pieces of forest that are under threat or are important for the conservation and protection of our elephants.

Work is seasonal and will change each month. If you have a particular interest in an activity, please use the guide below to plan your trip accordingly (months may vary slightly depending on the weather).

A typical week:
Saturday: Meet and greet in Phnom Penh, overnight in guesthouse.
Sunday: Travel to the project by taxi through various small Cambodian villages.

Monday to Friday:

• Learning about the project, the elephants and the environment (year round).
• Walking in forest collecting baby trees and at risk orchids (May - Sep).
• Seed collecting (Dec - Mar).
• Using the baby trees to reforest the local environment.
• Walking in the forest to document activities such as hunting, logging and land grabbing. (supervised by our experienced staff - year round).
• Hanging out with the elephants (year round).
• Planting food for the elephants (fruit, veg and trees….and bananas) (Mar - Oct).
• Agro forestry – developing educational examples of tree based farming within the forest and also with local farms (May - Oct).
• Walking in the forest to map wildlife signs, footpaths, rivers and streams, key geographic locations and valuable and rare trees (year round).
• Documenting the elephant's use of the forest (year round).
• Working with the local Bunong staff to improve the living conditions of the elephants through seed planting and the development of a tree nursery.

For those staying at the project, Saturday and Sunday are free time which can be used to further explore the local town of Sen Monorom and its variety of surrounding sites of interest. During the week however, visits to the town can be arranged to explore the local market in the town of Sen Monorom and purchase treats and needed supplies. Many waterfalls are also close by, some being amongst the largest in Cambodia.

For those leaving the project, Friday night is spent in the local town and Saturday is for transfer back to Phnom Penh.
Please be aware that this is a dynamic project and this is just an example of a typical week, and volunteer duties may change during their placement though we try to be as accommodating as possible.

Why we need volunteers

The captive elephants of Cambodia need help, there is no dedicated area recognised for their conservation. As the forests of Mondulkiri are prime examples of the natural habitat of the domestic elephant it is key we start to protect an area of forest now... before it is too late.

By volunteering with us, you not only give motivation and support to the local villagers who work to protect their resources, but also you aid us in being able to fund activities that improve the chance of having a forest in the future.

The Elephant Valley Project is as much about people as it is about elephants. Without secure employment for an elephant's mahout, an elephant is essentially at risk. Only a few years ago there was enough forest in Mondulkiri for a mahout to just let his elephant wander around, with little more than a leg binding or a drag chain, but this is not the case anymore.

A mahout now has to tend to his elephant regularly to stop damage to a neighbour's crops or injury from a criminal or poacher. These problems will only increase and we are already taking one step further to promote an area that should be designated ‘Elephant Forest’ and allow for a future for elephant conservation in Cambodia. So as we must support the protectors of the elephants we must now start to think and assist the protectors of the forest and encourage those who care about the forests conservation in its protection.

With funds donated from your volunteering experience we are not only able to try and show you a great time and make your experience contribute to the protection of the forest but we are also able to support the people who will continue to protect the forest after you have returned home.

The sad thing is that in this modern day and age the forest can be easily swept away by chainsaws and fire and we must now start to work hard to protect what little is left in conjunction with the people who care and want to keep it. This project endeavours to connect you with the people who do just this.

More Information

Click the links below to read more about the project:

Cambodia Fact File

Frequently Asked Questions

Cambodian Elephants

Gallery

Contact us with any questions

More volunteer projects in Cambodia

More volunteer conservation projects...

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Required Donation

The required donation to the project is stated in UK £pounds and US $dollars.

Family groups are welcome and returning volunteers are subject to a reduced donation. Please indicate this on your application form. Extensions to booked placements can at times be arranged at the project but are subject to availability.

The donation includes:

Airport pick up from Phnom Penh international airport.
First night accommodation in Phnom Penh.
Sunday transfer to the remote province of Mondulkiri.
Accommodation for the duration of your placement.
All main meals except at weekends when volunteers are staying in the local town.
Full in country support from the project staff.
Comprehensive information brochure about the project.
Assistance and advice for travelling to Cambodia.
Saturday transfer back to Phnom Penh.

The donation does not include flights, visas or insurance although we can provide information as required.

Application process & requirements

The minimum age for volunteers is 18 years old at the time of commencement of the placement. Families are welcome at this project. No previous experience or qualifications are necessary as we have placements for all skills.

Please complete your application as fully as possible to ensure we utilise your skills in the most effective way. Volunteers are required to be respectful and open minded to the cultural differences they will encounter in Cambodia.

Click on the link below to fill out an application form.
Add "@globalteer.org" to your E-mail safe list to ensure that you receive a response.
Your application will be reviewed and if accepted you will be notified via E-mail within one week.
Pay your deposit to secure your placement within one week of acceptance.
Research your destination, book your flight, inoculations and ask us any questions you may have.
Full amount is to be paid 10 weeks before the start of your project.
A comprehensive information pack will be sent to you with useful information including a packing list, Cambodian cultural differences, Buddhist Monk etiquette, useful Khmer language phrases, project rules, useful phone contacts and full project information.

Click here to apply