Volunteering in the Amazon: Biodiversity, Night Surveys & Fieldwork with IPBio
- leocook21
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
Alter do Chão: Life, Rhythm, and Carimbó in a Riverside Amazonian Town
This was my first time in South America, and I spent a month volunteering in the Amazon Rainforest, based in Alter do Chão in the Brazilian state of Pará. What began as a way to grow my photography portfolio quickly became one of the most immersive and rewarding experiences I’ve had.
Why I Chose to Volunteer in the Amazon Rainforest
Residing in a volunteer house about a thirty minute walk from the riverside beach town of Alter do Chão, I volunteered with IPBio Biodiversity Research Institute as a photographer and research assistant. I was looking for ways to grow my photography portfolio while gaining hands-on experience in conservation work. After some research, I came across the IPBio Biodiversity Research Institute, whose volunteer programmes focus on long-term ecological research rather than short-term tourism. Originally, I was interested in their program in the Atlantic Rainforest, but after speaking with the programme coordinator Imran, during an interview, I learnt more about the Amazon program and fell in love with the idea.
Living and Working in Alter do Chão, Pará
In November 2025, I travelled to Brazil via Lisbon, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, eventually landing in Santarém in the early hours of the morning. After a brief night in a local hotel, I was collected by Imran and taken to Alter do Chão, a small riverside town on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest, stopping to shop for supplies before meeting the rest of the volunteers.
Biodiversity Research with IPBio
During my time volunteering for IPBio, we carried out biodiversity surveys such as bird, fish, tree, habitat and mushroom inventories. We also conducted night searches for amphibians, bioluminescence and fluorescence. Being able to document such broad biodiversity and wildlife in the Amazon was an experience I’ll never forget.
Culture, Community, and Carimbó Dancing
Outside of fieldwork, one of the highlights of living in Alter do Chão was attending weekly Carimbó dancing in town every Thursday evening. After long days in the forest, gathering with locals to dance and listen to live music felt like an important part of understanding life in the Amazon region, beyond research.
Reflections After a Month in the Amazon
Photographing in the Amazon allowed me to shift my focus from what I was used to shooting, namely abandoned buildings and static environments, towards something far more unpredictable. Working in constantly changing conditions pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, while meeting amazing new people from across the globe helped me develop my portfolio and experience in the field.
If you’ve enjoyed my photography from these locations, you can support my work by purchasing a print.
A zine, framed prints, posters, canvas prints, greeting cards, postcards, magnets and even coffee mugs are available. Every purchase helps me keep exploring and sharing more places across the globe.
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