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Building on the work carried out during previous scientific expeditions as part of the Wallacea programme, our partner is opening three exploration and archaeology missions to eco-volunteers in 2027. The aim is to support the application for protected area status by exploring the region and discovering new archaeological sites.See all scientific expeditions here
Study an Exceptional Archaeological Heritage
The island of Sulawesi is home to an extraordinary natural and archaeological heritage, but this unique environment is facing growing pressure. Intensive exploitation of natural resources, the expansion of industrial agriculture and the accumulation of plastic waste are causing environmental damage that can sometimes be irreversible.
- The expansion of industrial agriculture is gradually transforming the landscape. Oil palm and sugar cane plantations are expanding at the expense of forests. In some areas, the signs of deforestation are impossible to miss: felled trees, areas cleared by fire and the steady loss of forest cover.
- Nickel mining is also expanding rapidly, particularly in coastal areas. Mining operations result in the destruction of large areas of forest and put both terrestrial and marine ecosystems under increasing pressure. During periods of heavy rainfall, exposed soils can be washed towards the coast in the form of sediment-rich runoff. These sediments can settle on coral reefs, contributing to their degradation by reducing the amount of light available to corals.
- Plastic pollution is another major threat. In many areas, waste collection and treatment infrastructure remains inadequate. As a result, plastic packaging and other waste can end up in rivers before reaching the sea. Carried by currents, this waste accumulates along the coastline and can be ingested by marine wildlife, with significant consequences for marine ecosystems.
You will be leading a team of explorers
Join one of the Sombori, Latoma or Tangkelemboke expeditions. Embark on a unique adventure and seize this rare opportunity: accompany a team of passionate explorers and interdisciplinary scientists into the heart of these unexplored territories!
Your tasks during the expedition to Sulawesi
Logistics and smooth delivery:
- Help us access hard-to-reach areas and set up a camp that is as comfortable, practical and environmentally friendly as possible (drinking water management, electricity, cooking facilities, latrines, etc.)
- Support for scientific research and data collection: follow the scientific protocols established by the research team to analyse endemic biodiversity and the environmental impact of external contamination, such as nickel mining, deforestation and plastic pollution.
If you wish, you can also:
Creating artistic and/or audiovisual content: if you have artistic and/or audiovisual skills (video, photography, illustration, content creation, etc.), you can keep a travel diary or capture the beauty of the surroundings. Your perspective will help to inspire wonder, raise awareness and highlight the work our Indonesian partner is doing to preserve marine ecosystems.
Upcoming shipments
Sombori – Marine biology and archaeology
- Survey of coral reef biodiversity.
- Study of marine flora and fauna.
- Archaeological surveys in search of historical remains.
Dates: 21 April to 2 May 2025
Latoma – Study of the canopy and mountain ecosystems
- Exploration at altitudes of up to 2,000 metres.
- Observation of biodiversity at different altitudes.
- Climbs trees to study the tropical canopy.
Dates: 20–31 November 2025
Tangkelemboke – Caving and underground exploration
- Archaeological surveys in karst caves.
- Study of underground biodiversity.
- Analysis of the underground course of the River Lasolo.
Dates- from 17 to 28 November
- from 1 to 12 December 2025
The Wallacea Project is a veritable open-air field laboratory, where science, ecology, culture and community engagement come together to protect one of the planet’s last remaining natural sanctuaries!
|
Departure from Kendari |
Back to Kendari |
Duration |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
7 May 2027 |
28 May 2027 |
2 weeks |
€1,800 |
|
12 July 2027 |
23 July 2027 |
2 weeks |
€1,800 |
|
25 October 2027 |
5 November 2027 |
2 weeks |
€1,800 |
All costs associated with your assignment, including airfare, are tax-deductible: up to 66% for individuals, 75% if you are liable for the IFI, and 60% for businesses.
Not included in the price
- Airfares and airport taxes;
- Entry visa for Indonesia;
- Personal equipment (tent, clothing, footwear, sleeping bags, water bottle, rucksack, headlamps, etc.);
- Antimalarial drugs and other potential medicines and vaccines;
- Additional drinks and snacks, as well as souvenirs;
- Any expenses (travel, meals and accommodation) you may incur outside the official dates of the assignment;
- Cancellation insurance.
Included in the price
- logistics costs
- Transport*, meals, hotel accommodation
- The on-site mission management team
- The equipment required to carry out the mission
- Planning ahead to ensure everything goes smoothly during your stay
* The journey to the various expedition sites is long and relatively expensive, whether by 4×4, boat or canoe. The tracks are difficult, which means we have to hire high-quality and therefore more expensive vehicles, and this almost always results in additional repair costs. For safety reasons in particular, we are obliged to keep the vehicles with us throughout the mission, which extends the hire period and consequently the cost.
- Management fees
- Monitoring and evaluating the outcomes and impacts of missions
- Measures to promote the missions
- The administrative processing of registrations
- Repatriation insurance and third-party liability
- Membership of Naturevolution
- Donation to Naturevolution’s conservation programmes
- The daily allowances and travel expenses of the researchers you will be accompanying in the field, as well as their post-mission laboratory analyses
- Salaries for those involved in the conservation project throughout the year
- Our French team will oversee this project, including a number of site visits
- Securing funding and maintaining relationships with partners in France are essential to the success of the conservation programme
- Field supervision: you will be part of a team of interdisciplinary explorers and researchers. The expeditions are led by Evrard Wendenbaum, explorer and founder of Naturevolution, and supported by Naturevolution Indonesia and the student association at Halu Oleo University, which handle supplies, logistics and safety. Please note that the partner has the agreement and an access permit issued by the local authorities to enter certain remote sites.
- Exploration: these missions are all about exploration! In other words, they’re full of the unexpected, adventure, improvisation and discovery! You’ll be venturing into remote, uncharted areas, which will force you to step completely outside your comfort zone!
- Remote areas: you’ll find yourself immersed in particularly remote and exotic locations, coming into contact with a new culture and new natural ecosystems. You’ll experience a unique adventure, far from your comfort zone and your everyday routine, whilst helping to protect Sulawesi’s underwater treasures.
- Physical fitness: you must be in good physical condition; a prior medical examination is required.
- Knowing how to swim
- No scientific qualifications required: no need for a scientific background or a specific degree – just motivation, enthusiasm and a keen desire to learn!
- What we’re looking for: in short, we’d like you to be cheerful, easy-going and full of energy!
Beyond your direct actions, your presence is essential because
An international civic commitment
As an eco-volunteer, you will act as an ambassador, raising awareness of the environmental and social issues facing this region both in France and internationally. As a first-hand witness, you will help to highlight the challenges faced and the actions taken by our partner to address them. You will be part of an initiative promoting citizenship and international solidarity, committing yourself as a “global citizen” to the protection of these last remaining biodiversity sanctuaries and to empowering local communities in this region.
Essential financial support
Your participation in the expedition counts as a donation and helps fund various local and sustainable development initiatives in the areas where Naturevolution operates in Indonesia, Madagascar and France!
The venue
The expedition is taking place in the south-east of the island of Sulawesi, a unique region situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle. This exceptional site comprises a mountainous karst massif and a wild archipelago of idyllic islets. Sulawesi is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity, home to a wide variety of species with remarkable levels of endemism. In particular, the island boasts the world’s highest concentration of butterflies and some of the richest coral reefs on the planet.
Housing
You will sleep in your own tent at a camp that will be built from scratch in the heart of the area to be explored. The camp will be basic but as comfortable, practical and environmentally friendly as possible.
Food
Meals consist mainly of produce purchased in Kendari, complemented by fresh fish from local fisheries and locally grown fruit and vegetables. For drinking water, we collect fresh water from wells and rivers, which we filter or boil to ensure it is safe to drink. Some meals are eaten in local villages, allowing us to discover traditional cuisine whilst supporting the local communities.
Transport
The meeting point is on Sunday evening at Kendari Airport (code KDI) or at the hotel, located in Kendari city centre, which is easily accessible by taxi (€7 / 100,000 IDR maximum) if you arrive earlier. A welcome meal will be shared in Kendari, and accommodation for Sunday night is included. The fieldwork begins on Monday morning. At the end of the mission, you will be brought back to Kendari on Friday evening, where a final night’s accommodation is also covered, so that you can catch your return flight on Saturday morning.
Laundry detergent
As conditions on the ground are fairly basic, there is no standard laundry service. Clothes will be washed by hand using an eco-friendly natural soap and local water, so we recommend packing light, quick-drying clothing.
Wi-Fi
As the site is particularly remote, there is very little Wi-Fi available on site. This placement offers a unique opportunity to switch off, fully immerse yourself in the eco-volunteering experience, and focus on the environment and conservation work without any digital distractions!
About our partner organisation
Since 2009, our partner organisation has been actively working to protect and promote the last remaining threatened biodiversity hotspots, notably the Makay Massif (Madagascar) and the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia), two areas of exceptional ecological richness. Born out of scientific and naturalist expeditions, our partner works hand in hand with local and international interdisciplinary researchers to study and document the richness of these unique ecosystems. At the same time, the organisation works closely with local communities to develop a holistic approach to sustainable development, focusing on social, environmental and economic aspects. Through documentaries, exhibitions and educational programmes, our partner introduces these areas to the general public and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect them.
