In the context of the ecological emergency, more and more of us want to take action. That is why volunteering in the environmental sector is a remarkable opportunity for young people. Whether through civic service or European volunteering, Antón and Noémie have chosen to get involved with A Rocha.
Noémie, a Christian passionate about the environment
Hello, my name is Noémie HAAB, I am 23 years old and I am doing community service at A Rocha France, here at Mas Mireille near Arles.
How did you end up at Mas Mireille and how long are you staying?
I have dreamed of joining A Rocha ever since I read the book Zero Waste God by Dave Bookless (founder of A Rocha England) when I was still at secondary school. In it, I discovered an organisation that combines my two greatest values: Christian faith and environmental protection.
A few years later, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in ‘International and Societal Development Project Coordination’ and then a Master’s degree in ‘Environmental Management’.
Over time, I found it increasingly important, as a Christian, to set an example of good stewardship of the Earth, as God asked us to do at the beginning of our era, in the first chapter of Genesis. I therefore believe that A Rocha’s work with Christian communities is essential.
After completing my Master’s degree in September 2025, the time had come for me to find a professional opportunity in environmental protection. That is how I joined A Rocha in November 2025, for an eight-month civic service contract until July 2026, much to my delight!
What are your responsibilities and what species do you study?
My duties consist of assisting Mr Timothée SCHWARTZ, site director, with scientific wildlife monitoring in the Ilon Marsh Regional Nature Reserve and surrounding sites. I therefore participate in all monitoring activities: birds, mammals, small mammals, moths and European rollers. In the spring, I will also participate in monitoring invertebrates (butterflies, orthoptera, arachnids, dragonflies), amphibians and reptiles.
This experience allows me to discover scientific monitoring of a natural environment and the profession of naturalist, two aspects that were missing from my training.
How would you summarise Mas Mireille's life for your environmental volunteering?
Living at Mas Mireille is much more than just a job. It’s about learning to fend for yourself, whether it’s mastering your vehicle on rough roads, repairing a washing machine, or facing your fears, like when I’m asked to catch a big spider.
Antón, from Spain to the Baux Valley
Hello, my name is Antón COLLAZO COLLARTE, I am 23 years old, I come from Spain and I am a volunteer with the European Solidarity Corps at the A Rocha France association in Mas Mireille near Arles.
What was your background before volunteering in the environmental sector?
Before arriving at Mas Mireille, I studied law at the University of Vigo. After that, I wanted to try something different. In particular, I wanted to contribute to a project bigger than myself and give my best to help make the world a better place.
Since childhood, I have always had an interest in nature and science, as well as a concern for the state of the environment and the poor management of it by us humans. However, just before starting my university studies, I decided to focus on social sciences, even though natural sciences never ceased to interest me.
What’s more, my mother is a biologist and passed on her passion and interest in this field to me. That’s why, when I saw the opportunity to join A Rocha and contribute to their scientific and conservation work, as well as to the organisation’s values and objectives, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine my post-graduate plans with my personal interests. On the other hand, the fact that I could do this in a country as interesting and beautiful as France appealed to me, as did the opportunity to experience French culture and lifestyle first-hand.
What projects are you working on?
My volunteering period lasts 10 months, until September 2026. At the moment, I am working on the European Roller project. Specifically, I am maintaining the nesting boxes that A Rocha has installed in the Vallée des Baux and Alpilles region to encourage breeding. The bird is currently in Africa, mainly in the south-east, where it spends the autumn and winter.
Our maintenance work is particularly important given that this bird does not build its own nest but uses natural cavities, which must be located in a suitable environment to enable it to feed. Furthermore, once the European roller has bred in a particular place, it is able to remember where it is and always returns to the same spot. This is despite the fact that it has to travel thousands of kilometres each year from Africa to Europe.
What has made the biggest impression on you since you started volunteering?
What has surprised me so far is the beauty and diversity of the environment in this region. I have also been surprised by the number of people who are willing to put up nesting boxes on their private property to collaborate on the project, thus turning it into a joint effort.
Naturally, the European Roller project is one of several projects that the association is implementing, and to which I contribute as much as possible.
One interesting thing I discovered during the project is that when there are rats inside the nesting boxes, they jump out with their legs spread wide when they realise I am there. They jump as if they had a
parachute from a height of 3 or 4 metres, which is incredible.