Conservation gap years

Many organisations conducting research in remote and exotic locations recruit people on a year out to help. The general choices are saving endangered wildlife, protecting threatened environments or aiding in the provision of vital ecological data. Many providers allow you to gain qualifications along the way (such as PADI diving qualifications on marine placements).

Tourism is worth an estimated £3 trillion annually, and is one of the world's largest industries. The typical GAP year and volunteer travel industry contributes to this, and significantly to economies in parts of the world where extra revenue is most needed. Most projects are carefully planned, the tourism aspect sustainable, and volunteers make a positive impact on the area they are visiting. The business of conservation poses complex challenges involving politics, cultures and economies. Numerous UK based organisations have made an admirable impact on the environment in which they are working.

Land based conservation projects

Typical land based conservation projects concentrate on the sustainable development of land, and projects designed to conserve environments and aid local people. You can get right up close to amazing wildlife by mixing animal and nature conservation projects. Project work might include helping to manage ecosystems at a nature and animal reserve, or caring for and feeding endangered wildlife. Some specialist gap year companies have organised projects designed to help develop organic farming techniques (hard work but well worth the effort). You may decide to join clean up teams following natural disasters. Helping to improve the environment during your year out is worthwhile and an experience you will remember forever.

Marine conservation

Most seas around the world are showing significant signs of declining health. Over-exploitation has caused loss of biodiversity, and destruction of natural environments. In an attempt to combat this, reserves and studies have been established all over the world. Like wildlife reserves, protected marine areas are vital and the data collected in these areas is of enormous ecological importance. Many gap year volunteers choose to help out on projects such as this and spend a few weeks surveying the sea bed, a reef or counting species etc.

Possibilities include diving in exotic locations, surveying reef fish, marine invertebrates, mangroves and coastal lagoons. You could help in the mapping of coral reefs. Imagine part of your days work to be recording sightings of whales, dolphins or turtles! Other work includes essential surveying of mangroves, bird populations and shark fisheries with local fishermen, in order to discover their reliance on the reefs and fish. For this kind of project you will normally pay around £1,500 for 4 weeks, that includes most of what you need with the exception of flights (up to £800 on top). Some companies have schemes in place to train you to PADI open water advanced level.