The volunteering experience was one of the most relaxing yet simultaneously most stressful.
From August 12, 2023, to August 11, 2024, I joined a wonderful organization, BirdLife Malta, as part of the European Solidarity Corps program. I became a member of the nature reserve team, where I was responsible, alongside the main manager, for engaging and informing visitors and assisting in managing the reserve.
During my stay, I primarily worked at the Ghadira Nature Reserve, known as Malta’s largest salt marsh. My duties and activities included conducting daily bird counts, informing visitors about the fauna, flora, and reserve management, guiding small groups on tours of the reserve’s facilities, and recording visitor numbers and gathering feedback. The volunteering experience was one of the most relaxing yet also one of the most stressful in recent times, but I managed to avoid any problems. During the autumn and spring seasons, we mainly focused on visitors, while in the summer, we concentrated on managing the reserve. So, it was a good balance of physical and intellectual work.
I gained fascinating experiences, learned a lot about myself and others. My team was exactly as you read in exaggerated job descriptions—perfect—and I had constant support throughout the volunteering period.
The seminars organized for us volunteers were phenomenal. We received a lot of useful information about various activities we could do in Malta, from links to all useful organizations with different activities to recommended places to visit and more.
I made friends who will stay with me for years or even decades, and I met locals who amazed me with their kindness and life stories.
I highly recommend any young person who wants to work in nature and for nature to give BirdLife Malta a chance. It will be an unforgettable experience, especially if you love birds and habitat management as much as I do.
European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is a European Union initiative that creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work on projects in their own countries or abroad, benefiting communities and people across Europe. NARKO-NE has been an accredited association for sending and receiving volunteers within the ESC program since 2014.





