With more people becoming concerned about the impact of their travel on nature and the environment, many are forgoing a traditional holiday to join volunteer citizen science expeditions around the world — or a ‘voluntourcation’ as it’s becoming known in some places — and their efforts are making a difference.
Having more disposable leisure time, it’s not surprising that many of these volunteers are over 55. However, with so many choices now available, how do you really know your efforts are benefitting the planet? And the other big question — can a layperson really do much to assist in just a couple of weeks?
Interested in taking a volunteering vacation, I pondered these questions and researched far and wide before making my choice.
Real conservation and research projects are science and local needs-based, focusing on sustainable conservation. They target clearly defined critical issues that humans can assist in changing. They do not chase the tourist dollars, nor do they involve handling animals. They are honest not-for-profit and not profit-driven organisations.