Conservation & Environment Ventures
Amboni Caves Nature Park

1. Quarry restoration Project,from eco-designing /architecture (a practical example of an ecotourism accommodation), inclusive of sustainable energy and passive solar house design,walkways,the information centre.
2.General conservation activities as required in reforestation, i.e. preparation of the nurseries and transplanting of trees.
3.Identifying and recording flora and fauna.
4.Preparation of Outdoor / environmental education kits for school children and the communities.
5.Community income generation projects based on ecotourism trends.
6.The Black&White Colobus Monkey Project is about to inspire interest and participation in primate and environmental conservation by promoting the benefits of sustainable tourism that recognizes the needs and rights of communities to generate income from wildlife as well as the needs and rights of animals to have access to quality habitats under increased security.
7. Environmental Enterprise Development Initiative, (In Partnership with Community Organisations and Local Government Offices). Volunteers will facilitate the creation of the EEDI Tanga Learning Cluster, made up of (as many as) local organisations and government representatives, and through this Cluster support the creation of the Environmental Enterprise Development Plan (EEDP) for Tanga District.

Are any special skills/qualifications required?
No, formal qualifications are required to join this placement, but it would be great to have people with a background in zoology, biology, the natural sciences, or landscape designing, for example.

Volunteers are ambassadors, so the most important thing they can bring is a commitment to the project and a willingness to share their skills and experiences with local people.

During the placement, volunteers will work alongside a Tanzanian counterpart so that when they leave Tanzania, the knowledge that has been shared between them is not lost.

On the ecotourism projects,volunteers will help implement sustainable ventures to help communityearn money through tourism. These ventures will include teaching communities on organic farming, planting and harvesting organic vegetables that will be sold to the
eco-lodges.

To encourage cultural tourism, social welfare and nature conservation the communities will be trained in tour guiding and conservation skills.

The Eco-lodge which is on the drawing board, once completed, will create employment and generate an income to pay for the education, health services for the communities and fund the construction of overnight campsites in the riverine forest, to be used by rangers and tourist treks. Out in the riverine forest itself, work will be more physical. The volunteers will be clearing the bush to construct trails and helping to tackle soil erosion. Some will also conduct biodiversity research, support ACNP rehabilitation programmes and work directly with species that will be relocated once it is operational.

What type of skills will be gained?
The personal benefits of volunteer work are widespread.
Every volunteer will leave their placement with new ‘soft skills’ in communication, problem solving and teamwork. But some of the more practical skills they will use include research, negotiation and advocacy, as well gaining a much better understanding of the environment, Volunteering is also very fulfilling.

The volunteers we have worked with in the past have all left with a greater sense of independence and often confidence, as well; having travelled and worked in a completely different community to their own. Volunteering is also a good way to gain a new perspective on life, to appreciate the little pleasures
- like hot showers!

What is the value of these placements to the conservation of the area?
All the projects focus on people and their role in the environment. Local people, for local people, set them all up and the volunteers will be helping them realise their goals.

The projects’ value comes through sustainability, meeting the needs of local people and the environment at the same time.

In some areas this will be through recognising Man’s conflict with wildlife, in others it will be to promote a type of agriculture that miminises its impact on the environment, while in others it will simply be to preserve an area of forest that today a community relies on for its medicine, and tomorrow they will rely on for the income, and their future.

What are the main objectives?
The main objective of the conservation project is to promote wildlife management that reflects the social, economic and political value of communities who are key stakeholders in that environment that generates their income from it.

The project recognises the environmental responsibility vested in ecotourism, aiming to address poverty and curb environmental damage at the same time. In communities that rely on natural resources for an income and even medicine, land access and sustainable development is paramount.

When you join the project, you will have a set of clear guidelines for your work. We hope that this will not only make the best use of your skills, but also help you realise that you are making an important contribution to the community. Through community work and field-staff guidance, you will gain an intimate understanding of the successes and challenges confronting the rural communities of Tanzania.

Programme Costs & Dates

Benefit to Volunteers
Amboni Caves Nature Park Project is in great need of volunteer assistance. Volunteering with us on this project, you will gain a fantastic experience, with the knowledge that you are giving back to the environment. This project is a really rewarding volunteer experience, which is why it is such a popular project. In this project, you will learn field study techniques, interact with local communities, as well as gain knowledge on Community Based Enterprises.

Why We Must Support Black&White Colubus Monkey Project
At one time These monkeys were hunted excessively for their beautiful fur, leading to their extermination in some areas. Their skins have been used to make dance costumes, hats and capes since early times. Today, the greatest threat to their continued existence comes from loss of habitat when forests are cut down. In 1973, Tanzania had some 200,000 skins ready for export to Europe.

Internship/Volunteering in Ecolodge.
TeV aspires to make ecotourism a positive experience for everyone. We believe that both the tourist and the communities should benefit from tourism.

• We believe in small-scale, low-impact tourism.
• We want our visitors to come away with a greater appreciation of culture, natural resources.
• We hope the communities will gain a greater understanding of the outside world in addition to economic benefit from tourism.

• Depends on the natural environment
• Is ecologically sustainable
• Is proven to contribute to conservation
• Features an environmental training program
• Incorporates cultural considerations
• Provides a net economic return to the local community.