• Learn about nature, wildlife and the preservation of resources
• Assist researchers with their studies
• Maintenance of the reserve and gardening
• Welcome visitors at the entrance
• Grow trees in the nursery

Usually volunteers work around 6 hours a day, starting in the morning, from Monday to Friday. Working hours depend on the current tasks and the weather in the reserve, and can therefore vary.

The nature reserve is incredibly diverse - just like the tasks you can take on during your time in the reserve. It's not primarily about work, but about learning a lot about nature, wildlife and the preservation of resources. You can get involved in a wide variety of areas and pursue your own personal interests. It will certainly never be boring, because there is a lot to experience and discover. The following tasks are examples and can change.

The best thing about the tasks in the reserve is that you explore and hike the area yourself while you work. You are often surprised by exotic animals (don't worry - you are not putting yourself in danger). As a volunteer, you hike around 5–7 km every day, so you are very physically active and spend most of your time in the fresh air. Please note that some of the paths are very steep uphill or downhill - so hiking boots are a must!

Support the researchers from all over the world who are conducting studies in the reserve in their scientific work. A real highlight for all nature lovers and those interested in biology. You assist with field and laboratory work, data entry and other interesting tasks. This experience can be useful for you in your later studies, for example. You accompany the researchers when they go into the forest in search of bird, frog, monkey or tree species. You support them in collecting and evaluating the data. For example, help with bird counts, setting up and checking wildlife cameras, observing the behavior of various wild animals, taking samples and measuring plant species and much more.

There is a breathtaking variety of birds in the reserve, which is why many researchers who are involved in bird studies are drawn to the project. The species are identified and counted. With a bit of luck, you will spot the unique and very rare quetzal bird in the treetops. This is known as the magnificent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), which is listed as "near threatened" on the IUCN list of endangered species due to the destruction of its habitat. This makes the preservation of the habitat in the reserve all the more important. Some researchers also devote themselves to studies with butterflies. As a volunteer, you can, for example, help catch the butterflies using a net, photograph the specimens and identify the species. The study content changes constantly with the researchers who are currently working in the reserve.

Do you like physical work and getting your hands dirty? Your support is welcome in the general maintenance and upkeep of the reserve. You can help the staff build bridges, steps and paths. Here, it is important to keep the hiking trails clear and accessible, as well as the road to the project. Occasionally new signs have to be put up or benches, tables or huts have to be built. So there are many different tasks involved. Gardening and landscaping are also part of it. Design your own flower garden or even grow your own food.

Another important volunteer role is working in the native tree nursery. Although all the land in the reserve has been reforested, many of the surrounding areas in local communities still need trees. We grow native upland tree species from the seeds we collect and nurture them in our nursery until they are ready to be planted in the local community, which can be private landowners or shared land. Volunteers will be involved in every step, from seed collection to seedling propagation and care and composting.

You can also work in the reserve's welcome center and receive guests. Here you will meet all kinds of people from all over the world and get them excited about the exciting reserve. You will explain the hiking trails on the map and answer their questions. This is a very important role as you will be the first face people see when they enter the reserve. It's a great opportunity to practice your customer service skills and practice some Spanish. You often get to know very interesting people and have great conversations.

Are you more of a creative person than a craftsman? Then you can also get involved in design and online marketing. Write exciting articles for the website and blog and take care of the social media channels.

Since science and research are particularly important to the project, there are also regular presentations given by the researchers or the volunteers themselves. Here you have the opportunity to gain a lot of new knowledge about biology and ecology and to have exciting conversations with the researchers.