{"id":38482,"date":"2024-02-22T02:14:53","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T02:14:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/macatobiano.org\/volunteering\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T06:57:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T06:57:46","slug":"volunteering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/macatobiano.org\/en\/join-us\/volunteering\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteering"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHooded Grebe Foundation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Mat\u00edas Torreguitar\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The Hooded Grebe Foundation volunteer program offers a practical and educational experience in biodiversity conservation for people interested in protecting nature through the support of scientific information and fieldwork. It is aimed at those seeking a first approach to conservation and who wish to contribute directly to the protection of Patagonian biodiversity. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat does it consist of?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Since its inception, the Foundation’s work has been possible thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who have selflessly joined to prevent the extinction of the Hooded Grebe. They were the ones who, at first, camped on the plateaus to understand what was happening to the species and why it was becoming increasingly difficult to find. Volunteers also helped shape the Hooded Grebe Project, manage resources, build infrastructure, and address the main threats it faced. <\/p>\n

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 Hooded Grebe Foundation in the province of Santa Cruz.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Welcome<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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 Southern Patagonia. For this, we have the invaluable support of volunteers who join the team each year and accompany us into the field to conduct research and conservation activities. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Context: the challenge<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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. <\/p>

The emblematic Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi<\/i>) 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. <\/p>

Due to its critical conservation status, in 2009 the associations Aves Argentinas and Ambiente Sur launched the Hooded Grebe Project to save this unique species from extinction. Today, as Hooded Grebe Foundation (hereinafter HGF), we have a committed team that carries out research, conservation, communication, and education tasks. Year after year, we generate robust scientific information on Patagonian species and ecosystems, implement direct conservation actions, and promote public policies to achieve greater regional impact. <\/p>

Among the Foundation’s objectives is the creation 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. We desire that its participants use this volunteer program and that it become a valuable tool for replicating our conservation strategies in other regions of Argentina (and, why not, the world!).<\/p>

If after reading the content of this section you have any questions, please complete the contact form at the end of the page.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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This volunteer program is possible thanks to the support and sponsorship of<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a9 Antonio de la Riva<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Everything you need to know<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Before applying<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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. <\/p>

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). <\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Search Profile <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPeople with a genuine interest in the conservation and\/or research of biodiversity.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPassion for learning, proactive attitude, good humor, and good disposition.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHave adequate personal equipment for field work.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbility to enjoy camping for periods without a bathroom, long walks, and group living.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGood physical condition and be psychologically prepared to work under extreme climatic conditions.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGood predisposition to tasks outside of field work, such as maintenance and cleaning of common areas and work equipment.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKnowledge of first aid will be valued at the time of selection (not excluding).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt is not necessary to have prior knowledge and\/or experience.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe HGF 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. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    Possible Tasks to Develop <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tData collection in nesting colonies of the Hooded Grebe. Capture and marking of individuals. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMonitoring and surveying of fauna (mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCensuses of aquatic and shorebirds.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCensuses and detection of invasive species such as American Mink and Kelp Gull.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAssistance to colony guardians (detection and control of factors that negatively affect colonies).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMonitoring of large herbivores.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDevelopment and implementation of direct conservation actions.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOutreach and education work in the area.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHabitat restoration.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCollaboration in maintenance tasks of equipment and cleaning of work spaces.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYour 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.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      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. <\/p>

      Thanks to the support received from different organizations and companies, the HGF 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, all necessary transfers within the framework of the volunteer program, four daily meals, and accommodation for the entire stay. <\/p>

      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. <\/p>

      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.).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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      How to get There <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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      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. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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