Make a difference with wildlife conservation volunteering

Ever wondered how you could play a part in saving the planet while embarking on an adventure of a lifetime? Look no further than wildlife conservation volunteering. This isn't just about spending time in breathtaking landscapes; it's also about tangible action towards preserving our world's biodiversity. With species facing threats from all corners, volunteers like you are needed more than ever.

Whether we're hanging out on tropical beaches to keep an eye on sea turtles or roaming the vast African savannas tracking elephants, every bit of effort we put in plays a huge role in saving endangered species and their homes. 

But it’s not just about what you give; imagine the stories you'll have, the connections with nature you'll make, and the global community of like-minded individuals you’ll join.

Keep reading this article to find out how to contribute with the world through wildlife conservation volunteering.

You might also like to read:

• How to support environmental projects around the world through volunteering
• How to be an environmental volunteer: 10 opportunities around the world
• How to support the Amazon Rainforest through volunteering

The importance of wildlife conservation volunteering

Wildlife conservation volunteering is about giving your time and energy to support efforts that protect biodiversity and wildlife species and their habitats. You work with organizations, reserves, and projects that are focused on conservation, research, and education.

So why is this important? Because it helps protect endangered species, maintain the balance of ecosystems, and raise awareness about why we need to preserve biodiversity. Volunteers provide valuable support to conservation projects that often don't have a lot of resources or staff.

Benefits of wildlife conservation volunteering

Participating in wildlife conservation volunteering not only is amazing for the environment and the animals being helped, but also offers a multitude of benefits to volunteers.

Personal growth and skill development

Volunteering in wildlife conservation provides opportunities for personal growth and skill development. Volunteers dive right in, getting to know various species and their habitats. These experiences can be transformative, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and inspiring individuals to become lifelong advocates for conservation.

You might also gain practical skills such as animal tracking, data collection, and habitat restoration techniques. This experience can be very useful if you’re starting a career in wildlife conservation or related areas.

Contributing to climate change mitigation

Wildlife conservation volunteering also plays a role in mitigating the effects of climate change. By protecting habitats and ecosystems, volunteers help maintain the delicate balance that regulates our planet's climate.

For instance, preserving forests and wetlands, which act as natural carbon sinks, helps absorb greenhouse gases and reduce the impact of climate change. Volunteers who participate in reforestation projects or wetland restoration efforts are directly contributing to these critical climate change mitigation strategies.

Experiencing unique wildlife interactions

One of the most rewarding aspects of wildlife conservation volunteering is the opportunity to experience unique wildlife interactions. Volunteers have the chance to observe animals in their natural habitats and witness behaviors that few people ever get to see.

From watching a pride of lions on the African savanna to witnessing the nesting of sea turtles on a pristine beach, these encounters create lasting memories and deepen the connection between volunteers and the natural world.

You might also like this article: Animal volunteer guide: how to make a real impact

How to get started with wildlife conservation volunteering

Ready to become a wildlife conservation volunteer? The first step is to research organizations and projects that match your interests and skills. Reach out to them and ask about volunteer opportunities, requirements, and how to apply. Keep in mind that many programs require a minimum time commitment and may have specific requirements for age, physical fitness, or experience.

When choosing a wildlife conservation volunteer program, think about things like location, duration, type of work involved, and the support provided by the organization. Read reviews from past volunteers, if available, and make sure the program is reputable and actually makes a difference in conservation efforts.

Here are some well-known organizations actively involved in wildlife conservation:

• Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF): WWF is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment. It is one of the largest and most recognized conservation organizations worldwide, working on various projects aimed at protecting endangered species, preserving habitats, and promoting sustainable practices.
• The Nature Conservancy: This is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It is dedicated to conserving lands and waters around the world. Their work includes protecting critical habitats, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable resource management.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS is a non-governmental organization headquartered at the Bronx Zoo in New York City that aims to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions. They manage wildlife parks and conduct research to inform conservation efforts.
• Conservation International (CI): Since 1987, Conservation International has worked to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity. Combining fieldwork with innovations in science, policy, and finance, they have helped protect more than 6 million square kilometers (2.3 million square miles) of land and sea across more than 70 countries.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): The IUCN provides public, private and non-governmental organizations with the knowledge, tools and projects that enable societies, economies, and nature to thrive together. These include data, assessments and analysis, trusted standards, neutral convening fora, and capacity-building resources.
• African Wildlife Foundation (AWF): For 60 years, African Wildlife Foundation has been developing innovative conservation strategies so wildlife, wild lands, and people can thrive. Their approach is comprehensive, addressing not only direct threats to wildlife like poaching and habitat loss, but also working with communities and governments to ensure that African conservation is truly African owned and led.

Volunteering with wildlife conservation through Worldpackers

You can search for opportunities with each of the organizations mentioned above, or others that interest you. However, that can take quite some time, and many of them might require previous experience.

A very easy, straightforward way to find volunteering opportunities that match your interests and skills is through Worldpackers. This platform is like a bridge that links up folks eager to lend a hand with projects that matter, dishing out all the juicy details you need about each opportunity.

By using Worldpackers, you can easily search for wildlife conservation programs based on your interests, location preferences, and availability. The platform also offers reviews from past volunteers, giving you valuable insights into the experience and impact of each program.

In most cases, you will get free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work every week. There might also be extra perks like meals, tours, classes, free laundry and more. However, some non-profit organizations might charge a daily or weekly fee to cover your basic expenses and help support the project.

How to choose a volunteer program

Picking the right wildlife conservation volunteer program can make all the difference, turning your experience from just okay to absolutely unforgettable and impactful. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

When selecting a program, you can start by focusing on what you're passionate about and what you hope to achieve. Is there a certain animal or ecosystem that really lights your fire? Do you want to gain specific skills or experience? By tackling these questions, you're going to trim down your choices to a more manageable heap.

Next, consider the location and duration of the program. Some programs might ask you to buckle down for the long haul, while others are more like quick sprints. Also, research the country and region where the program is based to ensure it aligns with your travel preferences.

Extra tip: once you create a free profile on Worldpackers, you can save your favorite positions to your wish list. 

Volunteering opportunities in wildlife conservation

Want some ideas? We’ve selected a few amazing opportunities of wildlife conservation volunteering around the world, all available on Worldpackers:

Collaborate with a project to save sea turtles in Costa Rica

Does helping with sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica sound like a dream? You can live the pura vida lifestyle, disconnect, relax, and have fun while contributing to a program that works towards the preservation of leatherback turtles, green sea turtles, and hawksbill turtles.

They patrol the beach during the night to make sure the turtles lay their eggs without problems. The eggs then are taken to a hatchery where they stay until they hatch.

During your time there you can also do a variety of other things, like gardening, working on art projects, building with bamboo, cleaning the beach, helping the locals with their daily work etc., while living in the jungle right next to the ocean.

Find out more about this opportunity here.

Help with wildlife conservation in Tanzania through storytelling

This role involves creating engaging content to promote Peace for Conservation’s initiatives. Volunteers will capture and share the impact of all activities through photography, videography, and social media management.

The organization dives deep into local challenges, seeking causes and collaborating with key stakeholders for sustainable solutions. Your role will be to craft stories to educate on conservation and empower children through media.

“David and the team treat you like family. He makes sure you feel at home. Truly an amazing experience. David does great work in the community, and he takes you around to see and document it all. David is experienced with working with foreigners and treats you like equal and with respect. I could only recommend staying here!”, said Yannick, from the Netherlands.

Keep reading about this volunteering position.

Biodiversity and wildlife conservation volunteer wanted in Greece

This NGO in Greece is looking for volunteers to help in field data collection on both land and sea and in practical help in permaculture. The activities are monk seal monitoring, seagrass monitoring, bird monitoring, feral cat monitoring, and community building activity (permaculture). Volunteers can participate in one or more of these during their time in the program.

“I had a fantastic time here and managed to do lots of work with bird monitoring, analyzing data and helping in the garden and lots of other stuff. Ted and Georgia are lovely hosts and can't do enough for you. I also learnt lots from Ted, who has a worth of knowledge and stories to tell from his travels around the world. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to gain some hand on practical experience within conservation”, said William, a former Worldpackers volunteer from the UK.

Click here to see all the information about this opportunity.

Care for horses and engage with wildlife conservation in Kenya

Volunteers are needed at this private horse yard with eight horses, in Maanzoni wildlife conservation area one hour drive outside of Nairobi, Kenya. It is located in an open beautiful savanna landscape with plenty of zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, gazelles and more.

Hosts are a Swedish/French UN worker couple who travels much for work, thus need another set of hands and eyes on site. Tasks consists of general yard and horse related duties along with opportunity to engage in environmental or wildlife conservation.

This is an excellent opportunity for the wilderness lover or sports enthusiast. You’ll have access to a 25m pool on site, and it’s a perfect environment for walking, running, cycling or rock climbing.

If you’re interested, you can also help Kenya Wildlife Service rangers with environmental and wildlife conservation tasks such as patrolling the area by car or horse, collecting snares, tracking injured wildlife, or helping in an ongoing giraffe research project.

Check out the details about this volunteering position.

Volunteer with nature conservation and child welfare in Peru

What about volunteering with ecological conservation for sustainable development with a focus on education? This project in Peru seeks to improve the health and development of children through the conservation of local ecosystems. Activities include planting trees and community gardens, education in sustainability and environmental conservation, and nutrition and health programs.

“Really pleasant stay at Nelson's and his family, very nice people, flexible, accommodating, and interesting! Thanks to the location of the house, I could relax, connect with nature, and learn more of the culture in this Peruvian pueblo. Moreover, the work I did was not painful at all, I enjoyed it, so I recommend this experience :) Thanks to them!”, said Martin, a former volunteer from France.

Keep reading about this conservation volunteering role in Peru.

Best practices for wildlife conservation volunteering

Following guidelines and instructions

On any conservation project, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with guidelines and instructions provided by organizers and local authorities. 

These are designed to ensure the safety of volunteers, protect wildlife, and promote the success of conservation efforts. Take the time to understand all instructions thoroughly, and don't hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.

Respecting wildlife and their habitats

Respect for wildlife and their habitats should be at the forefront of every volunteer's mind. Remember that you are a guest in their environment, and your actions can have significant consequences.

Avoid disturbing or approaching wildlife too closely, as this can cause stress and disrupt natural behaviors. Stay on designated trails and avoid trampling vegetation or disturbing nesting sites. When interacting with wildlife, observe from a safe distance and resist the urge to feed or touch them.

Collaborating with local communities

Successful conservation efforts rely on collaboration and partnership with local communities. Take the time to engage with community members, learn about their perspectives, and involve them in decision-making processes.

Respect local customs, traditions, and knowledge systems. By fostering strong relationships with local communities, volunteers can ensure that conservation efforts are culturally sensitive, socially inclusive, and sustainable in the long term.

Advocating for sustainable conservation practices

Beyond volunteering in the field, advocates for wildlife conservation should also work to promote sustainable practices on a broader scale. 

This may involve raising awareness about conservation issues, lobbying policymakers for stronger environmental protections, or supporting initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities. By advocating for systemic change, volunteers can help address the root causes of biodiversity loss.

You might also like these articles:

• What you need to know before having a volunteer experience
• The 10 commandments of how to be a good volunteer
• How to find volunteering opportunities around the world using Worldpackers

As you've seen, wildlife conservation volunteering isn't just an escape from the 9-to-5 grind; it's a chance to play an active role in safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity. Even the tiniest task we tackle can help us inch closer to keeping our ecosystems around the globe in a healthy balance.

Ready to start this journey of personal growth and environmental protection? Create a free profile on Worldpackers right now and start saving your favorite opportunities!