Description
Book SynopsisA unique feature of this guide is its dedicated focus on wildlife and environmental conservation volunteering. It is aimed at all three sectors of the age and career spectrum: young people such as gap year students and backpackers; the larger market of vacation conservation volunteers; and the early retired. Peter Lynch investigates rather than lists different types of organisations including charities, clearinghouses, eco-tour operators and travel agents. He audits, analyses and deconstructs them according to a range of verifiable criteria, including their scientific validity. This second edition had been completely updated and expanded, including more organizations, updated assessments, more volunteer stories and more field adventures. There is also a new chapter on great wildlife migration events - how, when and where to see them, with more great photographs. The guide includes long- and short-term opportunities from roughing it in tents, through simple permanent accommodation to quasi-luxury. The extensive range of expedition opportunities include working with antelope, big cats, birds, coral reefs, dolphins, elephants, fish, hippos, monkeys, orang-utans, turtles, whales, zebras, injured wildlife and people - in every type of habitat - all over the globe. First-hand accounts by volunteers reveal the day-to-day life of being a volunteer.
Trade ReviewThis timely and important guide is a must-read for anyone who wants to contribute properly and positively to wildlife conservation.' Kate Humble, TV presenter 'A comprehensive guide which helps to identify and explore the issues surrounding volunteering, whilst also providing a reliable and objective assessment of the companies offering volunteering experiences.' Justin Francis, founder, responsibletravel.com 'An extremely useful starting point for any conservation volunteer faced with the tricky task of finding a project that is appropriate for them and also genuinely contributes to wildlife and environmental conservation.' Richard Hammond, greentraveller.co.uk 'This guide is an extremely useful reference ....' BBC Wildlife
Table of ContentsCONTENTS Acknowledgements vi Introduction vii How to use this book viii The Audit Criteria ix Chapter 1 Conservation: what are the issues? 1 The looming crisis 1 Conservation volunteering: what's it all about? 2 Issues of concern 3 Measuring the difference 5 The conservation volunteer effect 6 Why pay? 6 Chapter 2 Types of volunteer organisations 7 Conservation opportunities 7 Characteristics of different organisations 7 Subtle differences between companies 10 Effects on the fees 12 Terms and conditions disclaimers 12 Chapter 3 Choosing an organisation 17 Deciding on your purpose 17 Choosing via country 21 Choosing via species 21 Choosing via cost 29 Arranging your own placement 33 What will it cost? 34 Chapter 4 The audit 41 Chapter 5 What is life like as a conservation volunteer? 166 Protecting loggerhead turtles in Greece with Archelon 167 Straw-bale house building with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers 169 Marine conservation in Seychelles with Global Vision International 171 Monitoring leopard, cheetah and their prey in Namibia with Biosphere Expeditions 173 Amazon wildlife conservation by riverboat with Earthwatch Institute 176 Eco-technology and conservation in rural India with Raleigh International 179 Chapter 6 Great migrations 182 Brent goose 183 Caribou and reindeer 184 Atlantic horseshoe crab 186 Monarch butterflies 187 Emperor penguin 188 Red crabs 190 Sockeye salmon 191 Turtles 193 Whales 194 Wildebeest 196 Chapter 7 Fundraising 199 Planning 199 Dos and don'ts of fundraising 200 Charitable trusts 200 Getting publicity in your local media 201 Specimen letter content 202 Promotional leaflets 203 Fundraising events 204 Legal issues 205 Chapter 8 Before you go 207 Booking flights 207 Red tape 209 Travel insurance 211 Health 214 Safety 220 What to take 221 Money 222 Cultural etiquette 223 Keeping in touch with home 224 If things go wrong 225 Appendix 1 Country guide 229 Appendix 2 Further information 249 Appendix 3 What is BS8848:2007+A1:2009? 253 Index 254
