The volunteers who travel to Sulawesi with Operation Wallacea will be working as research assistants on a large variety of projects, both environmental and cultural. Each group is lead by a University Lecturer or Pre-eminent Scientist in the field of research being investigated.
The Tropical Forest Research will take place on the islands of Buton and Kabaena, taking the form of specific research on identified species groups, and a large-scale habitat survey on Kabaena which may lead to the discovery of a new Macaque species among others.
Projects based at Hoga are concerned with Coral Reef Research and are concerned with documenting and preserving one of the last extensive and well preserved reef complexes in the region. The work of Operation Wallacea recently resulted in a marine National Park being established to encompass the region and work continues with indigenous Bajau people to develop sustainable and commercial fishing methods sensitive to the reserve.
A number of Community Projects operate at each location in conjunction with the local population and government to improve agri- and aqua-culture techniques. Operation Wallacea also operate educational programmes to teach local people about the unique ecology of the place in which they live, and language courses in English for school children and adults alike. Volunteers help in the teaching and preparation of these courses.