🐘🐆AVOIDING TRAPS: Wildlife Volunteer as another way to travel 🦓🐗

Go beyond superficial experiences to become a true wildlife volunteer

This is a new novel approach to making a tangible impact on conservation. Just like Walter did when he stopped dreaming and decided to embark on a new adventure in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

🐅You must know

Wildlife volunteer programs aren't photo-op vacations for Instagram and TikTok. Data are not just positive numbers, but a representation of the measurable conservation results happening right now.

Where can you volunteer consciously and actually be worth it?

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

WWF offers volunteer internships to 30 or 35 young people each year. It's competitive, and entry isn't easy; it's considered the Harvard of conservation: selective, but transformative.

For those who can't apply for the volunteer program but want to take a conscious trip, WWF works hand in hand with Natural Habitat, offering low-impact trips to various natural habitats around the world.

Earthwatch Institute

This is where the magic comes into its own. Expedition costs range from $2,500 to $4,500, with airfare not included. Expeditions are tax-deductible contributions to the research project. The trick to making the expeditions affordable is that the organization intentionally charges less. What volunteers pay covers 80 to 90% of the expedition costs, although this represents only half of Earthwatch's total annual income. The rest is donated.

SPANISH SECTION:

Cabañas cerca de CDMX para escapar a la naturaleza

De acuerdo con estudios de la Universidad de Michigan, pasar solo 20 minutos en medio de la naturaleza reduce significativamente los niveles de estrés. Quizá por eso Noah Calhoun decide construir su casa en medio del bosque en el icónico filme El Diario de Noah.

Estos refugios sustentables te van a hacer olvidar por completo el caos de la ciudad. Además, cumplen con todo lo que necesitas para hacerlo:

• Son eco-friendly.

• Pet-friendly

• Y están a menos de tres horas de distancia de la CDMX.

The Ocean Warriors

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

If you've seen Whale Wars, you know Sea Shepherd doesn't mess around. For 45 years, thousands of volunteers have risked their lives on dangerous missions, often confronting criminals who destroy marine wildlife.

You must know:

• Who can apply to be a wildlife volunteer with Sea Shepherd? Individuals over 18 years of age in good physical shape with maritime experience (recommended, but not required).

• Volunteering aboard a Sea Shepherd ship is not an ordinary experience; it requires a genuine commitment to marine conservation.

• Here you join anti-poaching operations, conduct marine wildlife surveys, and participate in direct-action conservation campaigns. Boat patrols and maintenance are also part of volunteering. It's teamwork 24/7. Finding Nemo isn't the best example, but The Cove is.

Regarding costs, volunteers cover their own travel expenses to join the ships, and the organization covers onboard expenses.