Volunteer at EcoAtivo (Portugal)
EcoAtivo is looking for volunteers between 9 and 27 August 2026 for an intensive month of water cycle regeneration and agroforestry system maintenance, a mini-internship in ecological restoration!
Get Involved
Take up the Task of Earth Restoration
Ecosystem Restoration Communities offer hands-on experiences at sites around the world, where you can learn practical restoration skills, deepen your connection with the earth, and contribute directly to healing the land. Whether you join an online or in-person event to build your knowledge, or volunteer your time for a meaningful, immersive experience – on site or on the ground – you’ll become part of a global movement restoring ecosystems and strengthening communities.
Upcoming Events
Mount Shasta Water unConference
11 - 13 September 2026
ERC Hotlum EcoRestoration Camp, California (US)
You’re invited to join ERC Hotlum restoration leader Jonathan Kabat – along with Nikolas Wulff Bertulis, Frank Sanborn, Kaliya Young, Julie Wolf, Charles Upton, Peter Ye and other local topic experts – at ERC Hotlum on the Northwest Slopes of Mount Shasta for three days of watershed restoration, ecology, spirituality, and community. Throughout the weekend you’ll explore, through hands-on workshops, and discussions, how we humans can support Water to slow, spread, sink, and stay in the ground to nourish Life and restore the small Water Cycle.
Various accommodation options available.
Workshop: Introduction to Scything
13 September 2026, 10h00
ERC Siolta Chroi, Monaghan County (Ireland)
Join us at Síolta Chroí for a unique, interesting and very useful/practical workshop on Scything with expert Chris Hayes!
What to expect?
- An introduction to the scythe, naming the parts of the scythe and learning how to use an Austrian scythe – you can bring your own tradition scythe along if you want, but the focus will be on the Austrian scythe and there will be Austrian Scythes for sale on the day.
- The history of the scythe from an Irish perspective and the effect of the industrial revolution on the production of scythes
- Mowing technique, how to stand properly, and the movement needed to mow effectively so that back ache is avoided
- How to sharpen the blade and blade peening
- Progressive grass management and how to properly cut and dry the material at hand, from grass to cereals and other fibrous plants
- Time for participants to ask questions on concerns or particular challenges they have on a particular area of land
Workshop: Saving Seeds
3 October 2026, 10h00
ERC Siolta Chroi, Monaghan County (Ireland)
Gardeners, farmers, and anyone interested in sustainable food growing and resilient local food systems are invited to join Conor O’Kane for our yearly adventure into seeds and seed saving! There will be a balance of the practicalities of seed saving with an understanding of the embodied wisdom and tales of the seeds themselves, as well as guide you into a deeper connection with seeds through the stories, heritage and practice of Seed Saving and the context of Seed Sovereignty. You’ll learn about the practice and importance of seed saving as a tool for preserving genetic diversity, adapting to changing climatic conditions, and strengthening local food systems. Participants explore the wisdom and stories embedded in seeds, learn practical techniques for harvesting, processing and saving seed, and discover the value of taste and traditional varieties in guiding seed selection. The course also introduces grex growing, crowd breeding, native seed conservation, and community seed-saving networks, highlighting their potential to build resilience, solidarity and social change.
Habiba Innovation Lab 2026
26 - 31 October 2026
ERC Habiba, Nuweiba, South Sinai (Egypt)
The Habiba Innovation Lab is not a conference. It is not a training. It is not a retreat.
It is an immersive experience in a “Living Lab” – the Habiba Community & connected farms – to explore how we can cultivate our desert together, co-creating hope for a better future.
Over six days, this unique learning journey will bring together local reality and global perspectives, field experiences and systems thinking, meaningful relationships and courageous conversations, silence, celebration and practical action – based on place-based needs. Every conversation, every encounter and every activity contributes to one shared question: How can our individual sense of purpose become the source of societal development – taking the Habiba Community as example – to inspire transformation and hope globally?
Reach out to Habiba Community for more details about this upcoming event!
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp
2 - 8 November 2026
ERC Quinta Vale da Lama, near Lagos (Portugal)
The Ecosystem Regeneration Camp (ERC) is an immersive learning, action, and networking experience which shares, develops, and puts into practice seasonal knowledge of agroforestry and ecological regeneration. People from diverse backgrounds come together to act as regeneration agents for 7 days in a residential camp near Lagos, Portugal.
Participants come away from this training program with more knowledge, skills, and confidence in ecosystem restoration, while also creating powerful relationships with fellow attendees.
The program is taught in English, and the price is based on a donation model. Hit the link for more information.
Introduction to Food Forest Design
7 November 2026, 10h00 - 16h00
ERC Siolta Chroi, Monorgan (Ireland)
Join us for an introductory course on designing and implementing a food forest – a layered, self-sustaining edible ecosystem modeled after natural forests! Whether you’re a homesteader, community gardener, educator, or permaculture enthusiast, this course offers the essential tools and insights to begin creating resilient, low-maintenance landscapes that produce food, restore soil, and support biodiversity. Through a combination of classroom theory, hands-on exercises, and collaborative design work, participants will explore the art and science of food forest design, including ecosystem mimicry, succession planning, plant guilds, and soil regeneration techniques.
Ongoing Events
Drylands Agroecology Research (DAR) Vounteer Days
1st and 3rd Thursday of every month, 16h00 - 19h00
ERC Elk Run Farm, Colorado (US)
Join us from May until October alternating between our two gardens:
Food Solidarity Garden days will be spent tending DAR’s one-acre annual and perennial garden at Yellow Barn Farm.
Elk Run Farm days will take place up the road in the Forest Garden, DAR’s pilot site and conceptual model for much of our perennial ecological stewardship.
We’ll spend our time together planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting, food processing, snacking, building community and so much more!
Tuesdays of Regen
Every Tuesday, 10h00 - 13h00
ERC Quinta Vale da Lama, near Lagos (Portugal)
Spend time learning about and engaging in regenerative agricultural practices by being directly involved in a variety of hands-on activities around the farm. Come get your hands dirty while enjoying nature, and being a part of a like-minded group of earth stewards.
Anyone wishing to explore or be involved in ecosystem restoration can participate, whether you are a curious beginner, have some previous experience, or have been doing regeneration work for years. Everyone is welcome. This program is open to locals and visitors to the area alike.
Each session is planned and facilitated by Hugo Oliveira, Landscape Ecologist and Permaculture Designer.
Field Good Fridays
Every Friday, 10h00 - 16h00
ERC Field Good Fridays, County Clare (Ireland)
Field Good Fridays is part of the Our Common Knowledge initiative, and is open to anyone looking to connect with nature and each other, through a hands-on restoration experience. Come join us on our 20 hectare/50 acre site in Kilfenora, Co. Clare, as we collectively grow our skills, restore ecosystems, build community, and feel good! Everyone is welcome, just bring along a bout of enthusiasm, a willingness to get your hands dirty, and connect in this special community!Typical activities include digging wildlife ponds, removing invasive plant species, planting trees, managing wildflower meadows or harvesting fresh organic vegetables. And of course a nutritious lunch and plenty of time to connect and share over a cup of tea!
Volunteer at an ERC
Know Before you Go
Before visiting an Ecosystem Restoration Community you will need to read and accept our Terms & Conditions and our Code of Conduct.
The restoration communities are mostly run by a very small team of dedicated volunteers who are rather stretched, especially because they spend most of their time physically restoring the land. So please understand if communications are a little slow.
Every Ecosystem Restoration Community is different: some have minimum/maximum stays for volunteers, and some charge a stipend (basic fee) for food and accommodation because many are non profit organisations not able to cover the cost of volunteer expenses. You’ll need to enquire directly about the duration and cost of your stay.
If you’re volunteering, we suggest a video call check-in with the ERC leader before you arrive, to make sure you’re both prepared for the experience and to manage expectations. We also recommend some pre-departure reading about the ERC location including geography, culture and environmental challenges to ensure an informed and rewarding experience!
Featured Opportunities
Match your Skills
Featured Opportunities
Volunteer at ERC Regen in Puglia (Italy)
Are you passionate about nature, regeneration, agroforestry? Join us for an incredible volunteering opportunity funded by the European Solidarity Corps!
Volunteer at Anjos do Sertão (Brazil)
Anjos do Sertão is looking for volunteers to help them implement their regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration plans on site! If you’re keen to get your hands dirty and learn new skills in the process, this one could be for you!
Volunteer at Nueva Vida (Panama)
Nueva Vida is looking for creative, innovative and hard working individuals to help them take their ecovillage project to the next level.
Volunteer at Corcovado Foundation (Costa Rica)
Would you like to participate in forest restoration, regenerative agriculture and community activities in Costa Rica’s scenic Osa Peninsula?
Longterm volunteering at Our Common Knowledge (Ireland)
If you enjoy spending time in nature, and can bring positive energy to help create and cultivate this special place, this opportunity may be your perfect fit!
Carbon Market Guide/Expert Volunteer, Sitatunga-Kitale (Kenya)
Can you provide technical support to help establish a Carbon Market project for riparian residents of the Wiyeta Wetland and for the farmers within the Saiwa Swamp catchment area of Trans-Nzoia County in Western Kenya?
Soil regeneration volunteer, Pachaland (Belgium)
Calling all soil enthusiasts! ERC Pachaland has embarked on a soil regeneration journey and needs your help.
Bioconstruction volunteer opportunity, Chacapaya (Bolivia)
This ERC located near Cochabamba is looking for a handy volunteer to help them build a small house on site, constructed with natural materials.
Marine Biologist volunteer, Habiba Community (Egypt)
This position on the Red Sea is suitable for someone with a passion for coral reef ecosystems, species identification, and ecological dynamics.
Communications volunteer, Koromi River (Kenya)
Do you have the skills to help Koromi River tell their story through content creation, digital marketing, community outreach and more?
Short and longterm volunteering, Koromi River (Kenya)
Take on an assistant camp manager position and help develop the infrastructure for landscape restoration and protection in southeastern Kenya.
Baseline data volunteer, Sitatunga-Kitale (Kenya)
Keen to combine your Zoology/Ecology, land use planning, media or socio-economic modeling skills with a volunteer experience in East Africa?
Environmental Science volunteer, Reedsdale Regeneration (South Africa)
Dreaming of work experience in Africa, where you can put your environmental science degree to the test? If GIS mapping, biodiversity capturing and carbon testing are your thing, read on…
6 month research volunteers, Habiba Community (Egypt)
Are you a graduate or undergraduate student in the field of Agriculture, Environmental Science or Biology, with a passion for soil sampling and analysis? If so, this opportunity will float your boat!
Ecologist volunteer, Koromi River (Kenya)
Are you an ecological research assistant, keen to get cracking with data gathering, mapping, and researching different regenerative agriculture techniques?
Short and longterm volunteering, Sinal do Vale (Brazil)
Be part of the development of a bioregional regenerative economy in the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve, volunteering in forest restoration, social enterprise, or local community outreach and education.
Ecosystem restoration volunteer, Pachakuti (Peru)
An opportunity to exercise your ecosystem restoration, permaculture or regenerative agriculture skills in the Peruvian jungle!
Match your Skills
Select the specific skills you have to see where they are needed. Advanced first-aid (8) Agroforestry (1) Animal husbandry (12) Architecture (15) Bio-remediation (8) Biochar production (1) Bioconstruction (18) Bioremediation (5) Carpentry (19) Chef/cook (14) Community building (2) Community engagement (1) Compost making (2) Cover cropping (1) Cultural renewal (1) Data collection (29) Desire to learn and be open minded (1) Drone mapping (21) Erosion prevention (1) ESG and regenerative supply chain development (1) Film making (17) Fire prevention (1) Food growing (1) Forestry (42) Fundraising (51) Group facilitation (27) Habitat creation (2) Heavy machinery operator (13) Legal (specific to ERC location) (13) Marketing or social media (24) Medicinal herbalist (27) Monitoring and evaluation (55) Other useful skills (1) participatory mapping and facilitation (1) Permaculture design (11) Photography (41) Regenerative agriculture (52) Renewable energy engineer/installer (32) Restoration design (47) Restoration of livelihoods (1) silvopastoral system design (1) Soil restoration (1) Soil science (46) Strategic financial advisor (1) Syntropic farming (9) Teaching for adults (29) Teaching for children (32) Tree planting (2) Vetiver-based soil stabilization (1) Videography (42) Water management (43) Water retention (1) watershed-scale landscape planning (1) Website design (31) Wildlife biology (32) Writing/copywriting (30)