Conservation Holidays

Going on a conservation or volunteering holiday can be a rewarding way to see the world: by living and working with local people on scientific, environmental or conservation projects, you can gain a much better understanding of their culture, develop genuine friendships and learn new skills while giving something back to the places you visit. 

Hundreds of agencies offer conservation volunteering experiences, from weekend breaks to longer term placements. These experiences range from those whose primary focus is on the work to those that are a balance between work and a holiday.

There is also a more casual (and usually short-term) form of volunteering known as “voluntourism”, where you include a few hours or days of conservation volunteering, perhaps at a scientific or environmental project, as part of your holiday.  

There is no governing body that regulates the conservation volunteering industry; however, Comhlámh – an Irish association of development workers – has drawn up a Code of Good Practice for volunteers.

The Ethical Volunteering Guide also has some useful tips on how to choose the right agency, depending on how much time you have to give.