Youth & Opportunities

Volunteering & Internships

Get involved in bird conservation across the Central Asian Flyway. Work alongside scientists and rangers at ringing stations, research projects and protected areas.

Current Opportunities

Central Asian Flyway Internship Programme

The CACN is launching a Central Asian Flyway (CAF) internship programme that will enhance the professional skills of young ornithologists and conservationists in Central Asia. The pilot project will begin with a regional internship and young professional exchange between countries of Central Asia. Five young conservationists will be selected through a competitive process to become interns in a host organisation in another country in Central Asia.

To find out more or apply, please contact [email protected]

Volunteering for bird ringing and counts at Chokpak Ringing Station, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Chokpak Ringing Station welcomes volunteers for landbird ringing and migratory bird counts. Join ornithologists from Kazakhstan's Ornithology Laboratory and volunteers from Kazakhstan and abroad to contribute to collecting valuable data about migratory birds in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian Flyway!

For more information, visit www.chokpak.kz

or contact Dr Bekzhan Berdikulov [email protected]

About the Internship & Volunteering Programme

CACN and its partners host structured internship programmes for early-career ornithologists and conservationists. Internships are organised through the CACN Internship & Volunteering Working Group and typically span 1-3 months, covering field research, data management, community engagement and bird monitoring. Stipends and travel support are available on a competitive basis. If you are interested in applying for an internship, please contact the working group lead or use the general contact form to express your interest.

Internship & Volunteering Working Group Enquire about an internship

Volunteering at ringing stations

Bird ringing stations across the flyway welcome skilled volunteers during spring and autumn migration seasons. Chokpak Pass Ringing Station in Kazakhstan is the region's longest-running operation and is a regular host for international volunteers. Other stations also accept volunteers; see the full list below for contact details and seasonal dates. Volunteers typically help with mist-net operations, bird handling, ringing, biometric measurements and data entry. Prior experience is an advantage but is not always required — training is provided on-site.

Volunteers welcome

Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan

Chokpak Pass Ringing Station

Operated by Institute of Zoology, Kazakhstan

Historic autumn migration bottleneck and ringing station at a narrow pass in the western Tien Shan foothills of southern Kazakhstan.

Volunteers welcome

Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan

Issyk-Kul Ringing Camp

Operated by Kyrgyz Ornithological Society

Seasonal ringing camp on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, sampling waterbirds, passerines and raptors on migration.

View all ringing stations (including those not currently accepting volunteers)