February 2005 | Co-op America’s Living Green
Taking a Volunteer Vacation
Dear Co-op America, My wife and I are interested in taking a volunteer vacation to support environmental efforts. Any suggestions? —Tom F., Arlington, VA
Volunteer vacations are a wonderful way to connect with local cultures and leave something meaningful behind. From assisting with conservation and peace-building efforts to teaching English, the opportunities for short-term volunteer stints vary widely. Keep in mind that these trips are usually not free — your money pays for room and board, organizational overhead costs, and support for the projects.
For environmental efforts, you might consider joining a volunteer expedition with the nonprofit Earthwatch Institute (800/776-0188, www.earthwatch.org). Earthwatch volunteers assist scientists in conservation field research, ranging from studying climate change in Canada’s Arctic regions to tracking the habits of rare animals in Madagascar. Most projects are 10-14 days long, but one-week, three-week, and weekend opportunities also exist. Per-person costs range from $700 to $4,000, excluding travel.
If you’d like to travel to Australia, consider Conservation Volunteers Australia (+61-3-5330-2600, www.conservationvolunteers.com.au). This organization takes travelers who volunteer for a day or longer on a variety of conservation projects, including tree planting, erosion and salinity control, seed collection, construction and maintenance of walking tracks, endangered flora and fauna surveys, weed control, habitat restoration, and heritage protection. Though travelers may choose which state or territory they would like to work in, they are not able to choose types of projects, as they vary by season and conservation priority. Lodging, including meals, starts at $22 a night.
Globe Aware (214/823-0083, www.globeaware.org) develops locally identified, one- to two-week “mini-Peace Corps” projects around the world aimed at promoting cultural awareness and environmental sustainability. Their trips to Brazil and Thailand, in particular, offer opportunities for volunteers to assist local residents in preserving and reviving the natural environment. Trips start at $990.
For a local option, the American Hiking Society (www.americanhiking.org, 800/972-8608) offers over 70 one- and two-week camping trips to help create or maintain trails in US National Parks, National Forests, and State Parks. For other domestic and international opportunities, visit CharityGuide.org at charityguide.org/charity/vacation.htm .
When you choose a volunteer vacation, you should be in reasonably good health, as manual labor is often involved. (Some projects are suitable for families with children and senior citizens.) Accommodations range from modest hotel rooms to a sleeping bag on a local resident’s floor and meals may be simple. In exchange for accepting less-than-four-star accommodations, you’ll enjoy meaningful friendships with new people, a hands-on education about a new place, and the knowledge that you left your vacation destination in better condition than when you arrived.
Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a national nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages directory of green businesses, call (800) 58-GREEN, www.coopamerica.org. E-mail your Living Green questions.
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