Volunteering

I signed up to numerous volunteering opportunities simultaneously. With a background in computing, widespread acceptance of my application was not something I expected but ‘giving up’ is not an option in my books.

Luckily there are no shortage in options of how you can get involved. Joining a local conservation group is a great way to meet like minded people and take an active role in managing species’ habitat.

Orangutans spend a lot of time stationary, but when they move it’s spectacular: they literally bend the trees to their will. The crash of an orangutan traversing the canopy can be heard a couple of hundred metres away. This helps them move more efficiently, preserving energy.

The pond – uneventful, smelly, even mildly-hazardous for dogs and children bounding happily into their murky depths.

This week we will talk about the practical work carried out to meet the third and most important challenge; Conserve.

The John Muir Trust, a charity set up to protect wild places, takes its name from the pioneering conservationist John Muir, a Scottish born American who believed in preserving wilderness.

I would really encourage people to get involved when travelling abroad. Many people have great experiences and contribute to conservation

Conservation organisations can’t run on practical work alone; there’s a vast quantity of work that needs doing behind the scenes, from administration to communication. In today’s broadband world, there’s no reason why you should need to travel to an office to help out with it either.

All of this goes to show that you don’t need to volunteer at Minsmere or Titchwell Marsh, vital and brilliant as these ‘flagship reserves’ are, to make a difference.