Book Description

The climate is changing, the forests are vanishing, and the Yangtze river dolphin is no more. With increasing numbers of us eager to do something to save the planet, the conservation volunteering market is booming. But how does one choose between the thousands of volunteer projects of offer? Bradt's Wildlife and Conservation Volunteering is the first book to properly dissect this exploding industry, and to assess which are the most environmentally and scientifically useful companies on the market. It features different types of 'sending agencies' including charities, not-for-profit, brokers, clearing houses, eco-tour operators and travel agents, and asks, 'Where does the money go?' With a focus on wildlife and environmental conservation volunteering, it includes chapters on conservation and environmental issues, planning and preparation, and fund-raising, and features detailed interviews with volunteers during and after their travels. There's also a unique chapter about day-to-day life on a range of conservation volunteer projects. Whether you're a wealthy professional searching for a meaningful holiday, a retiree wanting your travels to have a purpose, or a gap-year student looking for a wider life experience, this ground-breaking guide, written by an author with first-hand experience of conservation volunteering in Africa, Asia and South America, will help you to find a genuine eco-friendly, conservation-focused experience.