Volunteer at Las Casas de la Selva
Join a Living Rainforest Project
Las Casas de la Selva in Puerto Rico is more than a volunteer destination. It is a working rainforest, research station, sustainable forestry project, and living laboratory dedicated to ecological restoration, conservation, education, and long-term stewardship. For over forty years, people from around the world have come here to learn, work, explore, and contribute to the recovery and resilience of Puerto Rico’s mountain rainforest. Whether you stay for a few days, several weeks, or longer, your efforts become part of a project that is helping shape the future of this landscape.
Why Your Help Matters
The forest continues to recover from major natural disturbances, including Hurricane Maria in 2017 and Hurricane Fiona in 2022. These events transformed parts of the landscape, creating new challenges and opportunities for restoration, watershed protection, trail rebuilding, landslide stabilization, and forest enrichment. Volunteers play an important role in this ongoing work. Every trail maintained, tree planted, drainage channel cleared, seed propagated, or research project supported contributes directly to the health and resilience of the rainforest. Many of the paths, structures, gardens, nurseries, and restoration projects visible today were created through the dedication and imagination of volunteers working alongside staff, researchers, artists, students, and visiting groups.
What You Can Expect
Life at Las Casas is hands-on, collaborative, and deeply connected to the natural world. Volunteers live within the rainforest and become part of the daily rhythm of the project. You may spend your days:
- Planting and caring for native and tropical hardwood trees
- Working in forest nurseries and propagation areas
- Maintaining trails, drainage systems, and infrastructure
- Assisting with erosion control and landslide recovery projects
- Supporting ecological restoration and forest enrichment efforts
- Helping with homestead maintenance and construction projects
- Participating in environmental monitoring and research activities
- Learning about sustainable forestry, conservation, and tropical ecology
Who We Welcome
We welcome individuals aged 18 and over from all backgrounds and experience levels. You do not need specialized skills. Curiosity, enthusiasm, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute are often more important than previous experience. Returning volunteers are always welcome. We also welcome retired folks with skills and maturity that we can benefit from.
Skills That Are Helpful
While not required, the following skills can be useful:
- Gardening or landscaping experience
- Comfort working outdoors in heat, humidity, and changing weather
- Basic hand-tool use
- Physical stamina for walking, lifting, bending, and uneven terrain
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- A practical, respectful, and positive attitude
Experience in any of the following areas is especially appreciated:
- Carpentry and construction
- Trail building and maintenance
- Arboriculture and tree care
- Farming, agroforestry, or permaculture
- Nursery and greenhouse management
- Ecological restoration
- Environmental monitoring and research
Groups and Special Programs
We host a wide variety of groups, including:
- Universities and colleges
- Schools and youth programs
- Alternative spring break programs
- Community organizations
- Research teams
- Conservation groups
- Artists, writers, and interdisciplinary practitioners
We also welcome groups interested in conducting independent projects, biological surveys, creative retreats, theater workshops, yoga, meditation, nature immersion experiences, and other activities aligned with the values of ecological stewardship and learning.
Click here for GROUP VOLUNTEERING
Artist Residencies at Las Casas de la Selva
Accommodation and Cost
The contribution for volunteers is $30 per day, which includes accommodation and three meals a day. Living conditions are simple, comfortable, and designed to support an immersive rainforest experience.
Before You Apply
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel, visas, insurance, and any health requirements related to their visit. Additional information is provided during the application process.
Become Part of the Story
Las Casas de la Selva exists because people continue to invest their time, energy, knowledge, and imagination in its future. If you are looking for meaningful work, practical learning, personal challenge, connection with nature, or an opportunity to contribute to a long-term environmental project, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Skills You May Learn While VolunteeringVolunteers often leave with practical, transferable skills, including:
- Tropical tree identification and basic forest ecology
- Tree planting and forest enrichment techniques
- Erosion control and drainage management in steep terrain
- Trail layout, construction, and maintenance
- Nursery propagation, potting, and plant care
- Safe use of hand tools in a forestry setting
- Collaborative work in a long-term ecological project
Learning happens through hands-on work, shared problem-solving, and daily engagement with the land. Volunteers gain both practical experience and a deeper understanding of how living systems are maintained over time.
What to do next
Send an email with a brief summary of why you would like to volunteer and what you hope to get out of such an experience. Detail any skills that you have to offer. Include the names and contact details of two people from whom we can seek an opinion of your suitability for volunteer work.
Attach a Bio or CV to the email along with a recent photo to 3t
Please type: “Volunteer – your name” in the subject line.
We will get back to you within days. Thanks for taking the time, and we hope to see you here before long!
Left: Volunteer Harrison Hogan, retired gardener from Central Park, NY. Right: Volunteer Flip Garrison, landscaper.