Trip Details

Environmental Conservation Volunteer in Palawan Philippines

Palawan is one of the most biodiverse islands in the Philippines, abundant with wildlife sanctuaries, marine reserves and world heritage sites – so what better place for an Environmental Conservation Volunteer project! Here you will work with a great team of eco-boffins, conserving mangrove plantations and planting moringa and mahogany seeds. Further, you’ll be working directly with the community, encouraging conservation efforts amongst school children. If you’re outgoing, hard-working and want to do something valuable for our planet, then come and volunteer here in the Philippines. Paradise awaits you!

Plant the Trees of Tomorrow – and the Seeds of Change Today!

On this programme, you’ll work on the many conservational activities that this project undertakes, from planting trees to cleaning beaches! We have chosen the Moringa and Mahogany seeds for their multitude of benefits, availability in the local area, and because they will grow easily here. However, it’s crucial to ensure that our efforts now will be managed in the years to come, and this is why you will also be helping the community to understand how their involvement, ongoing, can help to protect the coastal barrier, and with that, their homes and livelihoods. Really important stuff!

What could be Better than Volunteering in Paradise?

Imagine waking up on a tropical island, taking in the fresh sea air, and eating breakfast to a view you only get in picture postcards! This is a huge bonus to volunteering here in Palawan. Relax in your free time on sun-kissed beaches, and explore Palawan’s mountainous terrain and lush rainforests with your new friends. As you would expect, there are a wealth of water activities here, too – from snorkelling to kayaking and scuba diving! After a day as an Environmental Conservation Volunteer here in Palawan, you can explore your tropical surroundings. Thereafter, you can return to your comfortable beach-front accommodation for a cool drink and a catchup with your buddies in our communal areas. What’s not to love? 🙂

Environmental Conservation Volunteer in Palawan Philippines

  • Help the Palawan community by working to preserve their coastal barriers
  • Be a part of local Mangrove, Mahogany and Moringa conservation efforts
  • Learn new skills, working with children and helping to raise awareness
  • Get to know locals and make new friends of your volunteer buddies
  • Explore your tropical surroundings, and the many water activities here
  • Enjoy Palawano cooking with meals and beverages* included in the programme

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

You will arrive on Sunday, and have plenty of time to relax and settle into your accommodation, ahead of your exciting week!

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to get accustomed to your surroundings as well as local culture. Thereafter, your Philippines Kindergarten Volunteer Programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Philippino Do’s and Don’ts, Philippino Culture Lessons and Philippino Language Lessons.
  • Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
  • Lunch
  • Workshop: Weaving Coconut leaves or broom making
  • Philippine Cooking Classes

Daily Schedule

Tuesday to Friday

After breakfast, you’ll spend the morning helping to plant Mangroves before heading back to the centre for lunch. Thereafter, you’ll return to the Mangrove plantation in the afternoon before heading back for dinner. On Tuesday the day follows a similar pattern, except this time you’ll be on the beach helping with a coastal cleaning programme. On Wednesday it’s back to the Mangrove plantation. Thursday is a day of giving environmental talks to local children. Lastly, Friday will be spent back at the Mangrove plantation.

  • Breakfast
  • Environmental Conservation Volunteer project 2-3 hours
  • Lunch
  • Environmental Conservation Volunteer project 2 hours
  • Dinner
  • Free Time

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of volunteering, you can choose to explore the area or head further afield on the weekends. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Further, please note that the changes in the tide affect water levels and thus, your ability to complete certain tasks in the mangroves. In that event, you take on other activities during that time. Your coordinator will inform you if your schedule will be affected.

Transportation

From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

  • El Nido (Palawan)

Places to Visit

Coron Bay

Fancy a dive? Found at the northwest of Palawan (between Busuanga and Culion islands) Coron Bay is known for being one of the best wreck diving locations in the world.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Located 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa and has recently been voted one of the new 7 wonders of nature. Don’t miss this beautiful park – public transport is available to take you there, and the journey itself is worth the visit!

Trip Accommodation

During your Environmental Conservation Volunteer here in Palawan, Philippines you will stay in Tigman Village in the Aborlan District. It’s a small, laid back area just outside of Puerto Princesa City, and sits amongst the many fishing villages that Palawan is known for.

About the Accommodation

Our accommodation is built with many natural elements – and you will have a tropical beach at your feet! Here, you’ll have a single-gender dorm-style room with bunk beds, although private rooms are available, subject to availability.

You’ll have to do your own washing, however, there is a laundry service here, too, which you can use for a small fee, if prefered.  You will be living like a local with basic facilities including “bucket showers.” – not really a hardship in this good weather! Due to our tropical setting, WiFi service may not be what you are used to at home, but it is available. However, we recommend purchasing your own local SIM card if you want to stay connected throughout the day.

Importantly, please be advised that due to jellyfish in the water, it is unlikely that you will be able to swim at the beach close by the accommodation. There is an area near the river or on the other side of the village, which is about a 15 minute walk away, where you will be able to enjoy a cool dip more safely.

Food Arrangements

Filipino cuisine is utterly delish, and you’ll have the chance to try cooking some authentic food of your own whilst you’re here. The food will consist mainly of local cuisine (lots of vegetables, meat, egg and rice) and you will have three meals per day served to you through the week, with two meals at the weekends (brunch and dinner).

Facilities

There are many forms of local transportation such as jeepneys, buses and vans which depart every hour to the town of Aborlan or to the next town Narra.

Further, you’ll find ATM’s & Western Union transfers available in the town of Nara, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Here, you can also find all necessary amenities.

Transportation

From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

  • El Nido (Palawan)

Activities & Events

Tuesday Night

Join us for a fun night under the stars, with a Bonfire and plenty of great banter!

Thursday Night

You don’t have to have a great singing voice to take part in a musical trip down memory lane. In fact, it’s the ones who can’t sing who make our evenings the most fun:)

 

Trip Country Info

Philippines

Capital: Manila
Language: Filipino
Currency: Peso (PHP)
Time zone: PST (UTC +8)

The Philippines is made up of a total of 7,107 islands, only 2000 of which are inhabited. The islands are broadly categorised under 3 main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It is the 7th most populated country in Asia and the 12th most in the world.

As a newly industrialised country, the Philippine economy which was once founded upon its agriculture is now moving towards an economy based on services and manufacturing.

It is unsurprising that the Philippines attracts tourists due to its incredibly rich biodiversity found across its islands. The mountains, rainforests and diving spots as well as its impressive cultural heritage all add to the reasons why the Philippines is such an incredible place to experience.

Climate
The Philippines experiences a tropical maritime climate meaning that it is normally hot and humid and there are 3 distinct seasons:

Hot, dry season from March to May
Rainy season from June to November
Cool, dry season from December to February
The southwest monsoon lasts from May to October and the dry monsoon in the northeast from November to April.

Temperatures in the Philippines normally range from 21°C to 32°C with the coolest month being January and the hottest, May. The yearly average is 26.6°C..

The Philippines sits on the typhoon belt and so most islands experience torrential rains and storms from July to October.

Culture
The Philippines is a secular state and stemming from its Spanish cultural influence and it is one of only two Roman Catholic countries in Asia. Its Christian population is at about 90%. The country displays a mixture of Eastern and Western culture. Whilst it undeniably preserves cultural aspects found elsewhere in Asia, its Hispanic influence is perhaps most noticeable especially in the architecture and names of streets, towns and provinces.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Under 18, Parental Consent is Required
Travel Insurance

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa