You can do loads towards helping
nature conservation whilst enjoying the natural world. The obvious
choice is to volunteer in a conservation programme, if you can
spare the time -see our page on gap years for longer term opportunities.
Even if you do not directly do conservation work you can help
by booking your stay through an organisation that is directly
engaged in supporting conservation.
If you have less time then short
breaks and weekend volunteering can be done through the many
wildlife trusts in the UK -find a local trust through wildlifetrusts.org.
If you have a skill in diving
then see our page on sub-aqua.
Search by conservation of
turtles, amphibians and reptiles
butterflies and insects
marine conservation and cetaceans
mammals
birds
or
habitat restoration and protection -marshlands, wetlands, forests,
coastal habitats, lakes and rivers, reefs
Volunteer at Gerald Durrell's conservation trust in Jersey or
take one of their organised tours to places as far apart as Madagascar
or the Galapagos Islands.
Field Studies Council -run interesting family residential
holidays from their field centres throughout the UK, offering
wildlife and discovery, creative and active courses. Locations
range from the Scottish highlands to the South Devon coast. The
courses are designed for the whole family to take part in, with
outdoor exercise and the opportunity to learn about the natual
world.
wide range of events, courses and activities, plus wildlife reserves
including Blashford, Swanwick and Testwood Lakes. Courses
from half a day upwards.
Marine Discovery
-http://www.marinediscovery.co.uk Based in Penzance,
they run sea safaris in search of seals, seabirds, dolphins,
porpoises and basking sharks along the stunning Cornish coastline.
The marine arm of South wales Wildlife Trust, devoted to conservation
of dolphins, porpoises and other marine life -offer holiday courses
in cetacean observation in UK and Europe.
The leading conservation group for East and West Sussex, they
also organise wildlife holidays through their holiday company
Wildlife-holidays.co.uk -all air travel is offset through climate
care.
The body representing the 47 wildlfie trusts in the UK, they
are the largest voluntary conservation group in the country dedicated
to conserving habitats and species. Find local trusts in your
area by map.
Wildlife Safari and Conservation
Holidays
Africa in Focus
-http://www.africa-in-focus.com Family-run, specialist
overland photographic tour operator, providing a high degree
of comfort and unique facilities for keen photographers, birders
and wildlife enthusiasts.
Back on Track Safaris -http://www.backontracksafari.com Wildlife
safari in South Africa, with safari tours in the company
of world renowned zoologist and game ranger Gerrie Camacho
Nice simply laid out site -the starting point is to select the
type of wildlife you want to work with using a drop down menu,
or alternatively you can select by location.
Greenforce -http://www.greenforce.org Not
for profit adventure specialists offering wildlfe conservation
projects around the world from one to twelve months ranging from
marine conservation in the bahamas to humanitarian work in Nepal
and Tibet.
BookinAfrica -http://www.bookinafrica.com Travel
to Africa with the African safari specialists. BookInAfrica provides
travel arrangements for tours to South Africa and African safaris
to south and east Africa.
Large selection of escorted wildlife holidays and tours, including
birdwatching and botanical tours, whale, bear and tiger watching
holidays and a range of wildlife-orientated treks, conservation
tours and expedition cruises from Scotland to South America.
Interface Travele
-http://www.interfacetravel.com Exclusive south
african fours and safaris -their specialities are tours by restored
Edwardian train and air tours using restored old airliners such
as a 1944 DC3 Dakota.
Tararu
Sanctuary -http://www.tararuvalley.org A New Zealand based, volunteer run environmental
reserve., set in several thousand acres of beautiful rainforest
by the sea, in the Coromandel Peninsula, 1.5 hours from Auckland,
New Zealand. The Sanctuary is an International Centre of Environmental
Education and Action, and works work to encourage the community
to participate in activities that restore native forest ecology
and increase sustainability.
Steppes Discovery
-www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk As an award winning
conservation travel company offering wildlife and wilderness
holidays they pioneered responsible travel, with unique partnerships
with some of world's leading conservation organisations. Over
the years they have supported many significant conservation programmes
inclusing Tusk Trust, Rain Forest Concern, Galapagos Conservation
Trust and Scott Polar Research.
Tribes -http://www.tribes.co.uk An
award-winning Fair Trade Travel company, and one of the pioneers
of responsible travel -organise African safaris and Galapagos
Islands cruises.
Worldwide Travel
-http://www.worldwidetraveldirect.com Safari holidays
and tours including Kenya safaris and combined safari beach holidays.
Wildlife Worldwide
-http://www.wildlifeworldwide.com Safari trips
for wildlife and wilderness enthusiasts throughout the world.
World Primate Safaris -http://www.worldprimatesafaris.com specialist
primate safari company providing eco friendly safaris to see
primates including gorillas, lemurs, chimpanzees, and orangutans.
A donation from each safari sold goes towards the conservation
and preservation of the endangered primates in the destination
of choice.
World
Wildlife Fund -http://www.wwf.org.uk The world's largest and most experienced independent
conservation organisation, working in more than 90 countries;
loads of information on the key conservation issues of the moment.
Marine Conservation
Blue
Ventures -http://www.blueventures.org an award winning not-for-profit organisation dedicated
to facilitating projects and expeditions that enhance global
marine conservation and research.
Galapagos
Conservation Trust -http://www.gct.org UK based charitable organisation whose purpose is
to promote knowledge of the Galapagos Islands and to raise funds
for the conservation of the islands.-they do not offer tours
themselves but can put you in touch with local operators.
Birdwatching
Andean
Birding -http://www.andeanbirding.com Specialist birdwatching tours in the Ecuadorean Andes
and Amazon.
Birdlife
International -http://www.birdlife.net BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation
organisations working together for the world's birds and people
Exotic Birding Tours -http://www.exoticbirding.com Small-group
birding tours led by master guides to Costa Rica, Belize, Panama,
Ecuador, and Trinidad for people who enjoy birds and want more
than just a listing trip.
Fatbirder -http://www.fatbirder.com huge
resource on birdwatching worldwide.
Gibbons
Ornithological -http://www.gobird.com offers consultation services, schedules nature tours,
and conducts surveys. Owned by Wildlife Ecologist Richard Gibbons,
the company is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and operates throughout
the Americas.
NatureTrek -http://www.naturetrek.co.uk specialist
organisers of birdwatching and botanical tours
Neblina
Forest -http://www.neblinaforest.com birdwatching tours in Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica,
Bolivia and Brazil.
TropicEco -http://www.tropiceco.com Ecological
adventure tours in Ecuador.
Wildlife
Holidays
