Whether you’re hungry to reduce your carbon footprint or simply trying to eke out the last of your budget, conservation volunteering can be a rewarding way to travel. With so many projects to choose from making a decision can be tricky. Rainforest conservation, ecological restoration, animal rehabilitation and even marine conservation are all viable options.
Top Rated Opportunities
Why the Need for Assistance
One of the biggest challenges facing the modern world is protecting its forests, seas and jungles from destruction. As a volunteer you work with organizations around the globe to conserve these natural habitats for future generations and to ensure the future of the planet.
There are many opportunities to volunteer for marine conservation projects on the stunning and varied coastlines of our host countries. Living and working in this environment provides a healthy balance of supporting important projects and enjoying the pleasures of swimming, surfing and ‘beach life’.
Where to Help
You can find conservation volunteering programs all around the world.
In Mexico, there are marine conservation projects are dotted around the Bay of Banderas on the Pacific coast. The Bay provides the perfect habitat for whales, dolphins, manta rays and giant sea turtles.
Alandaluz in Ecuador is part of the stunning Machalilla National Park. This is a remote and wonderful area with tremendous diversity of fauna and flora. In the summer months humpback whales can be seen from the beach making ‘The Dance of Love’.
The coast of Sri Lanka is famous for its beauty, but many parts of it were damaged by the tsunami disaster of 2004. Huge efforts are being made to replant the palms and restore the turtle nesting sites.
Much conservation work abroad is associated with eco tourism, but the prime focus is often more scientific. These conservation projects are ideal for anyone with an interest in biology, zoology, veterinary science and / or botany. You do not need to have qualifications – a desire to carry out some interesting practical work and support a small but locally important initiative is more important.
What to Expect
Conservation work is often physical and it can be a great way to stay fit on your travels without shoehorning a jog into a morning’s zip-lining.
Living somewhere remote (and often beautiful) means that accommodation can range from huts and compostable toilets to hostel-style bunks; if you’re after somewhere to plug in your hairdryer be sure to check with the organisers before you go.
Most organisations will ask you to commit to at least two weeks to a month. This can be limiting if you don’t like to plan your travel times too tightly. On the flip side, a longer stay is a great way to meet people if you’re at the start of your trip or a good way to break-up the hostel humdrum if you’re in the middle of it.
Remember there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Between emails, the volunteer co-ordinator might be handling sea turtles, so don’t be surprised if they forget to tell you that wetsuits are provided. Make sure you ask even the obvious questions before you start; contacting a few previous volunteers on Facebook is a good idea too.
Eco-Tourism Projects
Most of us are aware of the environmental problems associated with poor farming, deforestation, erosion and exploitation. These initiatives provide local people with a good income and teach tourists about the environment and the importance of preserving it. Whether it is studying whales in Mexico, sea turtles in Sri Lanka or helping indigenous communities in the Amazon, each project’s aim is to be completely sustainable.
Requirements
Don’t assume you’ll be useless because you’re not a specialist in the field. Organisations appreciate a volunteer who can whip up dinner for twenty using next to nothing as much as one with a detailed knowledge of sub-irrigation systems. There are lots of skilled and un-skilled placements available.
Cost
Volunteering is as cheap as you make it. Some prices range from GBP 1,500 to as little as GBP 100 per month; a few smaller projects won’t even charge. But usually, you can expect to pay a donation to the project and enough to cover the cost of board and food. If you are a budget-conscious traveller you should try smaller organisations and contact them direct. Plus picking somewhere truly remote can rule out the risk of overstepping your budget: there are no souvenir shops in the jungle but flights might be more.
How to Apply
Research thoroughly the different types of conservation volunteering and make a shortlist of the projects that you like. Be sure to check out our featured top rated organisations who help hundreds of people volunteer on conservation programs every year. For more options view our volunteering abroad directory.