Pitchandikulam Forest is a community based in the green belt of Auroville in coastal Tamil Nadu, South India, focused on restoration ecology.

There is thunder far off to the north. We hope the rain falls on our recent lake side plantings. Dramatic lightning illuminates the young forest at Nadukuppam.

Here we aspire to serve as stewards, members of a land community growing everyday in complexity. All our efforts seem initiatives of transition, of careful transformation as the ground and climate shift dramatically all around us.

We welcome volunteers to restore the numerous artworks in Pitchandikulam Forest.

In the magical atmosphere of the forest there are over 200 pieces including painted stones, bas-reliefs, sculptures and texts. All they need to be cleaned from dust and molds. Some of them need to be retouched pictorially in according to the theory of integrative restoration (minimum intervention, respect for the original). And in the end, all of them have to be covered by a protective product that preserves them over time.

Painters and restorers are required, but it is not necessary to be an artist, just feel love for art and nature…

If you are interested to join, please contact Silvia for more information and questions:

We expect people to have been in auroville for 6 months before applying. Exceptions are possible..

email: sigozze@yahoo.it / pitchandikulam.outreach@auroville.org.in
whatsapp: +393208370141

Pitchandikulam Forest is looking for an environmental educator with a background in environmental sciences, biology, ecology, sustainability or related disciplines to deliver our holistic environmental education programmes.

Role

The educator will anchor education programmes in Pitchandikulam. S/he is also be expected to participate in trips and visits to our other centres at Nadakuppam, Kadapakkam and Chennai. A key focus will be to instill awareness and interest in nature and its protection through hands-on, experiential learning and creative teaching methods!

Specific tasks include but not limited to:

• Leading environmental education programmes in Pitchandikulam for Auroville Schools. Modules will include, amongst others; watersheds, birds, butterflies, reforestation and restoration, tropical dry evergreen forest, medicinal plants and mangroves
• Development of new training material
• Supporting nature club networks in which students will be encouraged to share their knowledge and observations between themselves and other schools.
• Field explorations and nature trails
• Rural urban exchange programme between environment centres
• Coordination and participation in residential trips to other parts of the Kaluveli bioregion
• Reporting on activities

Personal attributes

• Passionate and knowledgeable about the environment and environmental issues
• Should enjoy working with children and community groups
• Excellent communication skills
• Willingness to travel for field trips/visits to other schools in the bioregion
• Creative and willing to think outside the box.
• Willing to collaborate and foster excellent relations with Pitchandikulam Forest and our other Centres
• Self-motivated and willing to carry out some tasks independently
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills. Knowledge of Tamil desirable

How to Apply
Please apply via email (pitchandikulam.outreach@auroville.org.in) attaching your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are applying to the role and what ideas you have for delivering the environmental education programme. Email subject line should be marked ‘Environmental education job application’. Closing date 15 September 2018.