Volunteering
The Fundación Macá Tobiano volunteer program aims to offer a practical and educational experience in biodiversity conservation, aimed at people interested in protecting nature with the support of scientific information and field work. It is aimed at those seeking a first approach to the world of conservation and who wish to contribute directly to the protection of Patagonian biodiversity.
Volunteering
Since its inception, the work of the Foundation has been possible thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who selflessly joined to prevent the extinction of the Macá Tobiano. They were the ones who, in the beginning, camped on the plateaus to understand what was happening with the species and why it was becoming increasingly difficult to find. Volunteer people also helped shape the Macá Tobiano Project, manage resources, create infrastructure and address the main threats it faced.
Today, each field campaign is a space for learning and commitment where volunteers accompany technicians and researchers both at the Juan Mazar Barnett Biological Station and at the various work sites of the Fundación Macá Tobiano in the province of Santa Cruz.
Welcome
We are pleased to begin a new work campaign on the plateaus with the aim of saving the Hooded Grebe from extinction and protecting the biodiversity of the Southern Patagonia. For this, we have the invaluable support of volunteers who join the team each year and accompany us to the field to carry out research and conservation activities.
The objective of this volunteer program is to provide an introduction to biodiversity conservation for individuals interested in nature protection, in a practical manner and with solid support in scientific information.
Given the particular characteristics of its remote geographical location and extreme climatic conditions, we ask that you read all the information included on this page before applying for the volunteer program.
Context: the challenge
The steppe and high plateaus of Southern Patagonia comprise one of the most inhospitable and least explored ecoregions in South America. This vast territory is home to a biodiversity of incalculable value, which unfortunately has a low level of protection.
The emblematic Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi) inhabits this unique environment. This species, endemic to Santa Cruz, was discovered by Western science less than half a century ago and, nevertheless, is already categorized by BirdLife International and the IUCN as Critically Endangered. Its population is estimated at only 750 individuals.
Due to its critical conservation status, in 2009 the associations Aves Argentinas and Ambiente Sur began the Macá Tobiano Project (hereinafter PMT), with the aim of saving this unique species from extinction. Today, as Fundación Macá Tobiano (hereinafter FMT), we have a committed team that carries out research, conservation, communication, and education tasks. Year after year, we generate solid scientific information on Patagonian species and ecosystems, implementing direct conservation actions and promoting public policies for greater regional impact.
Among the objectives of the Foundation, we include the generation of learning and training opportunities for people interested in conservation. That is why every year we organize the volunteer program, aimed at all those people interested in experiencing a first approach to the world of conservation and contributing to the protection of Patagonian biodiversity. It is our desire that this volunteer program be well used by its participants, and result in a useful tool to replicate our conservation strategies in other regions of Argentina (and why not, the world!).
If after reading the content of this section you have any questions, please complete the contact form at the end of the page.
This volunteer program is possible thanks to the support and sponsorship of
© Antonio de la Riva
Everything you need to know
Before applying
We ask that you please read the detailed information below carefully. Once your application is submitted, you will be confirming that you accept our conditions and requirements. Any breach could result in the suspension or termination of your volunteer work.
Our team is made up of people with training in biology, park rangers, environmental engineering, students, and naturalists of various ages and backgrounds. During the campaign we enjoy good food, music, and long conversations on the plateau, although what unites us most is our passion for conservation and working to save critically endangered species (such as the Hooded Grebe).
We hope that all participating people can enjoy their experience, establish new relationships, learn about conservation, and get to know some of the inhospitable places that Argentine Patagonia offers.
Search Profile
- People with a genuine interest in the conservation and/or research of biodiversity.
- Passion for learning, proactive attitude, good humor, and good disposition.
- Have adequate personal equipment for field work.
- Ability to enjoy camping for periods without a bathroom, long walks, and group living.
- Good physical condition and be psychologically prepared to work under extreme climatic conditions.
- Good predisposition to tasks outside of field work, such as maintenance and cleaning of common areas and work equipment.
- Knowledge of first aid will be valued at the time of selection (not excluding).
- It is not necessary to have prior knowledge and/or experience.
- The FMT is designed with a projection of the future. Those people with novel ideas and interest in the topics addressed for the development of their degree thesis, masters or even future doctorates will be favored in the selection. In this sense, we have the structure to collaborate in the materialization of those ideas and the realization of new research projects.
Possible Tasks to Develop
- Data collection in nesting colonies of the Hooded Grebe. Capture and marking of individuals.
- Monitoring and surveying of fauna (mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles).
- Censuses of aquatic and shorebirds.
- Censuses and detection of invasive species such as American Mink and Kelp Gull.
- Assistance to colony guardians (detection and control of factors that negatively affect colonies).
- Monitoring of large herbivores.
- Development and implementation of direct conservation actions.
- Outreach and education work in the area.
- Habitat restoration.
- Collaboration in maintenance tasks of equipment and cleaning of work spaces.
- Your area of interest will be taken into account, although the tasks to be developed will be carried out almost in parallel, we will seek your participation in most of the activities, but it is not always possible, it all depends on your time of stay in the volunteer program.
Dates, Length of Stay, and Costs
The volunteer period during the 2025-2026 season will take place from December 1 to May 1. To participate, you must have a minimum stay of 30 days, taking into account that the entry and exit dates are the 1st and 15th of each month.
Thanks to the support received from different organizations and companies, the FMT fully sponsors people from Latin American countries. This scholarship includes transportation between the town of Perito Moreno and/or Bajo Caracoles and our work bases, as well as all necessary transfers within the framework of the volunteer program, four daily meals, and accommodation during the entire stay.
For people from non-Latin American countries, the cost of the volunteer program will be 30 USD per day, covering what is established in the previous paragraph. In case of staying for more than one month, the cost will be 25 USD per day.
The transfer from and to the locality of origin are the responsibility of each person, as well as all expenses associated with this transfer (food and accommodation) and personal expenses (hygiene items, medicines, snacks, etc.).
How to get There
Our meeting point will be in the town of Perito Moreno in the northwest of the province of Santa Cruz (not to be confused with the Perito Moreno National Park or the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate). Previously, we will coordinate via email the details about the date and time for your transfer to one of our bases. At the end of the volunteer program, we will take you to the same town so you can return to your place of origin.
Workplace and Climatic Conditions
The bases during the volunteer program may vary between:
“Juan Mazar Barnett” Biological Station, located 130 km from the town of Perito Moreno on the southern slope of the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires, on Provincial Route 103 and a few meters from the Patagonia National Park.
Casicha El Chaltén, located in the heart of the town of El Chaltén, is the base of operations for work in the southern area of the province of Santa Cruz.
Estancia La Angostura, a productive ranch, with livestock and ecotourism, is located in an important area for bird conservation. In addition, it is located in a strategic point, located at the base of the Meseta del Lago Strobel, near Gobernador Gregores and the Mauricio Rumboll refuge.
In these sites you will share the space with our team and researchers from other projects. You will surely also participate in field trips that will sometimes involve several nights of camping.
The environment of the Santa Cruz plateaus is extreme, with winds of more than 100 km/h and a large daily thermal amplitude; temperatures can vary between several degrees below zero at night and exceed 30 degrees during the day. Significant levels of insolation are added to these conditions, so it is necessary to have adequate clothing and equipment to work comfortably, taking care of your health and thus also avoiding incidents.
Communication and Internet Access
In our workplaces there is neither telephone signal nor mobile data. All communication is done by radio or Internet. The Internet connection at the bases is good, however, service interruptions are frequent and may be interrupted for periods of several days. The FMT has satellite phones whose use is exclusive for emergencies (medical or mechanical). Please evaluate if the lack of access to communications means serious complications for you.
Food and Health
The meals during the campaign consist of stews, soups, breads, sausages, and recipes based on potatoes and meat (mainly sheep). The ingredients in the field are limited (as in any wild camp kitchen). Only meals specifically for health reasons will be covered, not for personal choices.
It is important to keep in mind that Patagonia is not a place where it is easy to maintain a vegan or meat-free diet, as they are an important part of it and it is difficult to obtain protein from other foods. In any case, we believe that this should not be a limiting factor for your participation in the volunteer program. The meals are prepared rotating among all, activity that will be coordinated and defined by the FMT team.
The field tasks during the volunteer program require long walks, so you must enjoy good health and willingness to complete these tiring days. It is important that you know your physical abilities and resistance to work in adverse climatic conditions. We have first aid kits and trained personnel to respond to emergencies or accidents, but each person is responsible for carrying with them the medicines and supplies necessary for the care of their personal health. The FMT is not responsible for the costs that may arise due to pre-existing conditions, nor for negligence on the part of the volunteers.
Safety Standards
The plateaus are places of little and difficult access, the distances to urban centers are large and the human density is low, its climate is changing and there are few points of reference; which makes them a place conducive to accidents and setbacks, which can be avoided or minimized by maximizing precautions.
The sun on the plateau has a much greater impact on the skin than in temperate and tropical zones, due to the absence/thinness of the ozone layer, the minimum atmospheric humidity and the thinness of the atmosphere in general (due to the latitude). Consequently, UV radiation is much higher, so it is essential to use sunscreen with filter 50+ and apply it several times during the day, to avoid burns and blisters.
Transfers in vans will be frequent during the course of the volunteer program. The vans will be driven exclusively by Fundación Macá Tobiano personnel. All passengers must always wear a seat belt and pay attention to the care instructions indicated by the team technicians.
Walks in the field will be a frequent activity, since many places are inaccessible even for vans. The minimum equipment to carry includes enough shelter to avoid hypothermia, water needed for the day, flashlight and GPS with charged batteries, some food and a first aid kit.
Getting lost on the plateau is relatively easy, and in situations of closure produced by rain and low clouds it is almost impossible to locate. The GPS is a fundamental tool for these situations; your cell phone will surely have one, although you must remember to previously download the map of Patagonia to be able to use it without connectivity, in addition to having the reference points and the battery charged. During the night, the reference points disappear completely and getting lost is a matter of meters. To avoid disagreements, always pay attention to the indications of the team technicians.
When visiting and/or staying overnight at the ranches, it is advisable to avoid alcohol consumption with the ranchers. In particular, if the ranchers do not have alcohol, it is because in those cases it is the owner of the ranch who prefers not to give it to them. When visiting these places, ideally go with a male companion. Although most of the ranchers are friends, it is preferable to avoid uncomfortable situations.
Whenever possible, always carry a method of communication (InReach or Handy), even when going to nearby sites. Check that the batteries are charged and make sure you know how to use them.
As part of the control tasks of invasive alien species, the FMT has weapons. These can only be manipulated by the technical personnel assigned by the Foundation and under no circumstances should they be manipulated by volunteers or visitors.
During night tours, all safety rules must be followed. Whenever you need help, do not hesitate to consult with our technical team! In case of serious problems or abnormal situations, avoid making big decisions independently. Always seek communication with those responsible for the Foundation.
Rules of Coexistence and General Conduct
While you participate in the volunteer program, you are part of the Fundación Macá Tobiano, so the attitudes and performances in front of third parties will have repercussions on the FMT. Therefore, during visits to the towns and ranches, our behavior and attitude must be governed by cordiality, good manners, and respect.
During the campaigns, the basic rule of good vibes always prevailed: respect, share, collaborate, and the only important requirement is to have a good predisposition. The cleanliness and order of the work spaces, the vans, and the camps are everyone’s task.
The cleaning of the common areas (rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, living room, etc.) is done daily.
In the places mentioned above, food is cooked and water is heated with firewood; collecting and cutting firewood so that the drawers are always full is another of the daily tasks.
Upon returning from the field, the work only ends when the vans and camping equipment are clean and stored, in conditions for the next team to use them.
Treat the equipment (tools, tents, instruments) with great care and notify in case of malfunction or breakage (it can happen!).
There are always things to do, from cleaning the houses/posts/tents, equipment maintenance. The lack of things to do is simply a lack of proactivity of the individual. Ask how you can collaborate or serve mates to someone who is doing something, it is helping and putting good vibes!
Coexistence can be intense. Respecting personal spaces, you contribute to a pleasant and enjoyable coexistence.
The activities that you decide to carry out outside the framework of the volunteer program will not be the responsibility of the Foundation. Activities that involve certain risks such as climbing on rock walls, running (jogging), going out to explore or even going out to observe birds, among others, are under the exclusive responsibility of the person who performs them. The FMT will not be responsible for the economic costs generated by the injuries or problems that arise as a result of these activities. This also applies to visits to towns.
Respect for Nature and Waste Management
The spirit of the FMT is based on a deep respect for nature, therefore the premise is that our presence in the area has the least possible negative impact. Avoid generating loud noises or sudden movements, touching nests or disturbing the fauna, and under no circumstances is it admissible to leave marks or writings/petroglyphs on the walls of the lagoons, plateaus, and walls of the visited posts.
Proper waste management is essential. In the work spaces we separate the waste between recyclables (plastics, papers, and glass), non-recyclables, and organic waste. You will receive exact instructions for this when you arrive.
In the field, waste management requires an extra effort on our part: our goal is to leave absolutely no waste behind. In the camps, we do not compost or leave organic waste lying around: degradation in these environments is extremely slow. All the waste we generate must be returned to any of our bases for proper disposal, including toilet paper. Under no circumstances should latrines be created in sites near the lagoons.
Both in the field and around the bases, you will find remnants of old garbage, which we ask that you please help collect in your free time and during transfers (by car or on foot).
Confidentiality of Data and Acoustic/Audiovisual Materials
As in any conservation and research project, the information produced during fieldwork is a fundamental part of its capital. Therefore, all data obtained during the period of work within the framework of the volunteer program belongs to the FMT, and its use in other areas must be formally agreed upon by the members in charge of it. This includes the publication of data and/or audiovisual material on social networks and forums, as well as in popular science magazines and for scientific purposes. This also applies to information concerning management action protocols, fauna control, and other similar actions.
The dissemination of images that show the work or results of the FMT must be previously agreed upon with the communication or coordination team of the same, regardless of whether the publication will be made on social networks or in other media (magazines, newspapers, television, etc.).
All photographic material, recordings, and filming obtained during the context of the volunteer program must be immediately available for use by the FMT. It is understood that the copyright will remain for those who have made the records of the material. Before finishing your stay, you must leave a copy of all the material obtained in the FMT Audiovisual Bank. If you are selected for the volunteer program, you will receive instructions in this regard.
Participation in the volunteer program implies agreement with the use of audiovisual material in which you are portrayed for dissemination and promotion purposes of the FMT.
Essential Personal Items
- Warm clothing (warm jacket, thermal underwear, windproof pants).
- Light clothing for the heat, and waterproof for rain (layer or jacket with gore-tex or similar).
- Gloves, warm hat, and sun hat.
- Trekking shoes (in good condition, more than one pair ideally) and old shoes for wading.
- Goggles for wind and/or sunglasses with good lateral coverage of the eye.
- Sleeping bag for low temperatures (-5ºC or -10ºC) and thermal insulator. Keep in mind that you will sleep in your bag during your entire stay, even in the different bases.
- Flashlight for personal use (the flashlights provided by the FMT are only for fieldwork).
- Sunscreen factor 50 or higher, tear-like drops, and lip cream with sunscreen (lipstick).
- Personal hygiene items: soap, shampoo, creams, razors, etc.
- A large and a small backpack to carry your items during hikes and camps.
Recommended Personal Items
- GPS (always welcome).
- Personal radios (VHF).
- Computer for personal use, in case you consider it necessary.
- Field notebook.
- Binoculars and/or telescope + tripod.
- Reading material, letters, crossword puzzles, dice, or any other board game (long waiting times during wind storms can be more pleasant with something to do).
- Tablet and/or cell phone (most of the Internet access in the cities is with the wifi of bars/restaurants).
- Bird guides such as Birds of Argentina and South-west Atlantic by Pearman & Areta, Aves de Argentina y Uruguay by Narosky and Yzurieta, and in this area of Patagonia Aves de Chile by Jaramillo are also useful.
- Other field guides, such as those for mammals, reptiles, or plants, could also be useful (make sure they include information on Patagonian species).
Apply to the volunteer program
To apply to the volunteer program for the 2025-26 season, you will need to complete the following form and attach it in a single PDF document:
- Letter of intent telling us briefly about your interest in participating and available period.
- Letter of reference, preferably from someone in the field of conservation/research or related to the subject.
- Your curriculum vitae.
We will receive applications until November 10, 2025. By submitting your application, you are confirming that you agree with and will respect the rules expressed in this document. For any questions and/or concerns, please write to fundacion@macatobiano.org. The results of the selection of applicants will be communicated during the two weeks following the closing of the call. Those selected will receive all the necessary information and the steps to follow by email.
Remember that income and expenses will be without exception every 1st and 15th of the month, and that the minimum period of participation is 30 days.
© Kini Roesler
Origin
We have received participants from more than 25 countries.
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© Gonzalo Pardo