Conservation volunteering

Conservation volunteering is a wonderful career break if you're passionate about wildlife, the environment and sustainability.

Many of these conservation projects are long term. The work you do will have positive benefits for many years to come - maybe even generations!

Conservation volunteering can involve:

• Working hands-on with the animals. These may be orphaned or injured and many will be babies. You may be bottle-feeding them, playing with them, walking them and washing or grooming them. You may even assist the vet if necessary.
• Other aspects of care, such as preparing the animals' food and cleaning equipment.
• Releasing animals into the wild, if you are working in a sanctuary for injured and orphaned animals.
• Construction and maintenance. You could repair fences, clean enclosures, create paths or help maintain the buildings. You could be clearing areas as well, or controlling erosion.
• Tracking and reporting. Animals in reserves or sanctuaries need to be monitored to ensure they are healthy, and their behaviour is also observed.
• Patrolling the area. You could be looking for signs of poachers, or finding out where fences and trails need fixing. You will find out where the animals are going as well!
• Carrying out mapping work and surveys. This could be on a reserve, in a sanctuary or underwater.
• Collecting data, analysing the data and creating reports. You will be given training on how to do this.
• Photography. Visual data is important for the scientific research aspects of conservation. Some photography can be quite unusual, for example, underwater, or up in high trees!
• Giving visitors tours of the reserve or sanctuary. Outreach is an important part of many conservation projects.
• Educating people on conservation, including finding sustainable solutions to managing the land.

You could be working exclusively with one kind of animal, or you could work with a variety. Many projects focus on endangered animals.

There is also marine conservation, where your placement will usually include a diving course (standard or advanced) and training in how to carry out scientific research underwater. Marine conservation includes mammals as well as fish of course - some projects focus more on whales and dolphins where you don't necessarily need to get in the water.

It is hard work, but you'll also have plenty of free time for socialising with your fellow volunteers, or taking weekend trips. You can also travel around the area after your placement.

Where can I do conservation volunteering?

While there are many projects in the developing world, conservation volunteering is one of the few areas where there are projects in the western world as well, such as Australia, the USA and the UK.

Who will I be working with?

You'll be in a team of volunteers, and you'll be working alongside local staff. These might include rangers, conservationists, vets and reserve or sanctuary managers. Marine conservation projects will also have qualified diving instructors. They rely on volunteers to carry out the tasks to keep the project running and your contribution means they can plan for the long term, which is vital in conservation.

You will be supported throughout your placement and will learn a great deal from the permanent staff, your fellow volunteers, and of course, the animals!

What will I get out of a conservation volunteering placement?

If you're working hands-on with the animals, you will develop a close relationship with them. You'll learn to understand them and their behaviour.

You'll also learn an incredible amount about conservation, plus animal behaviour, health and nutrition. You'll learn about the causes of environmental damage and work on solutions.

You'll be part of a sustainable, responsible project that protects land, animals and people. Your contribution will have benefits for years to come.

If you like the sound of conservation volunteering, have a look at all the organisations who can find you a conservation placement here.