The 5 Best Tree Planting Volunteer Projects

“In the heart of primary rainforest, life pulses in every leaf and vine, echoing the grand symphony of existence. Standing within these verdant cathedrals of Earth, one truly feels the vibrancy of being. Majestic in their beauty, epic in their tale, they remind us of our own fleeting footsteps in the eternal dance of life.” – David J Johnston, Conservationist (WorkingAbroad)

Forest ecosystems are critical carbon sinks, absorbing vast amounts of CO2 and significantly mitigating the impacts of climate change. Rainforests, in particular, are home to over half of the world’s plant and animal species. This is despite covering less than 2% of the Earth’s surface. Therefore, their conservation isn’t just about biodiversity; it’s a matter of global urgency.

Deforestation contributes to about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. It also leads to habitat loss, endangering many species and disrupting intricate ecological relationships. Furthermore, the destruction of rainforests poses threats to the livelihoods of many indigenous communities and contributes to global health crises, as these ecosystems are potential sources of undiscovered medicinal compounds.

Therefore, as a tree planting volunteer, you will join efforts to restore one of Earth’s most biodiverse and vital ecosystems.

We have collated 5 of our favourite tree planting volunteer opportunities for those who love to get hands-on with forest restoration. Volunteering to protect and restore trees has never been more important for the sake of our planet and the future of life itself. We encourage everyone, no matter where you are in the world, to take action for nature and society!

Here are 5 of our favourite tree planting volunteer opportunities

1. Cloud Forest Project in Ecuador

“I found the reserve not only inspiring but also a therapeutic and restful space. Being surrounded by such an abundance of biodiversity and contributing to its conservation was a transformative experience.” – Jessica Bavington, UK

At the Cloud Forest reserve project in Ecuador, tree planting volunteers take part in sustainable forestry programmes to restore degraded areas and mitigate climate change. The station is working to restore several areas through natural regeneration, and reforestation, with tree species important to the natural environment.

While in Ecuador, you will get stuck in as a tree planting volunteer. You can assist in collecting and planting seeds, maintaining the nursery, transplanting seedlings, tree care, opening reforestation lines and conducting forestry inventories of planted trees to evaluate their growth and survival.

Due to the worldwide demand for hardwood, it is important to plant trees for sustainable use, instead of cutting old-growth trees that belong to the natural forests. As volunteers gradually research the best methods for sustainable development, the reserve will also share this knowledge of agroforestry with local communities to encourage and enable them to adopt a similar approach.

2. Reforestation Project in Iceland

“Overall the program was so much better than I ever could have imagined. The perfect place to spend 2 weeks working with reforestation.” Kasie Kirkpatrick, USA

Iceland used to be a green, forested island at the time of the Viking settlement. Since then it is estimated that the island has lost over 90% of its forest cover due to unsustainable land-use. Now large areas of the island are suffering from heavy soil erosion and desertification. By volunteering abroad in Iceland, you can help take action to right this wrong, one small plant at a time. These actions do not only benefit Iceland, the effects are global by virtue of growing forests for carbon sequestration.

Tree planting volunteers work alongside the Icelandic Forestry Association in an area around Úlfljótsvatn lake. Parts of the area have been heavily eroded or degraded and is in urgent need of attention. Tree planting volunteers assist with the reforesting in the area, by planting seedlings and fertilising young trees.

3. Amazon Restoration Programme in Peru

“This is the real deal! This is a project that is inspiring and demonstrates what it means to regenerate the rainforest. In the heart of the Southern Amazon, there is so much life and biodiversity that the team is working to conserve and bring back. They are dedicated and knowledgeable of rainforest restoration in tandem with local people. They address deforestation at its core.”

The Amazon rainforest is the largest and most biologically diverse rainforest ecosystem on the planet. It is a vital resource for life on Earth, helping regulate global climate and recycling vast amounts of fresh water every second of every day. However, we have already lost almost one fifth of all the Amazon rainforest and all that life within. While almost half of what remains is being rapidly degraded. This means that it is losing its ability to function due to impacts of logging and fragmentation.

In order to solve the crisis unfolding in the Amazon rainforest, we need to work to conserve and restore the Amazon in parallel. This programme is run by dedicated experts who know all there is to know about Amazonian plants, how to restore the ecosystem, and best of all, how to nurture back the forest in a way that it also supports people through agroforestry. By becoming a tree planting volunteer, it is possible to help restore the Amazon!

4. Environmental Conservation projects around New Zealand

“Volunteering helps me to connect with the environment. I really enjoy the knowledge sharing session where we get to learn about the plants and trees. I think, after doing these projects, I am more aware about our environment and how we treat it.” – Thurha

Tree planting volunteers have the opportunity to help restore ancient woodlands by planting trees in various nature reserves and national parks all throughout New Zealand.  In addition, volunteers also take part in weed removal, wildlife monitoring, seed collection, heritage restoration and conservation fencing.

All of these activities are important contributors to addressing the impacts of climate change on the local environment.  Locations across New Zealand are available from Auckland in the North Island to Punakaiki in the South Island.

5. Animal Rescue & Ecological Restoration Project, Portugal

“We had a wonderful time at the sanctuary that truly changed our lives. We have returned to work and now feel that what we are currently doing is not making an impact on our lives. You have really changed our world perspective and we thank you for this.” – Zoe & Clement – 2023

Recently, this project acquired 27 hectares of land in the municipality of Santarém. This is with the aim to develop an animal and plant sanctuary that will provide shelter to various species, providing them with high standards of welfare, and a life with respect and dignity. In addition to this, the project aims to reforest the space and restore the ecosystem with species of native trees and shrubs, in order to promote the biodiversity of local flora and fauna.

As a tree planting volunteer, you will help in maintaining and monitoring the forest. You will think of ways to improve the land to attract more native species to exist and flourish there. You will also do wildlife and plant surveying to build knowledge of local biodiversity, and do research to feature in various communication channels.

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In addition to the above projects we also have projects that offer tree planting volunteer opportunites to a lesser extent. There is nursery tree planting volunteer work to be had at our Community Development Volunteer Project, Peru. There’s also some mangrove tree planting volunteer restoration happening at our Watamu Sea Turtle Volunteer Project, Kenya and our Blue Lagoon Coral Reef Project, Mauritius.

Do you have any questions about a particular tree planting volunteer project, how to join or anything in between? If so please don’t hesitate to write to us at info@workingabroad.com