How can we help with conservation efforts?

One of the great patterns we have seen in recent years is an uptick in people talking about, studying, and caring about wildlife conservation. This blog is a comprehensive guide to different ways you can help with wildlife conservation efforts, no matter what stage of life you are at.

If you have time to make a difference, we created a list of organisations currently looking for virtual volunteers, and resources you can use to learn new skills.

Some of the way you can help with conservation efforts are below:

By Learning

Online training courses are a great way to enhance your skillset and figure out what you enjoy doing:

• The Open University Free Courses
• Operation Wallacea Ex Situ Lecture Series
• Nat Geo Conservation Course
• Operation Wallacea’s Online Work Experience Internships

By Volunteering in Person

Volunteering is not only a great way to support a cause you care about, but also provides great experience to launch your career.

• Operation Wallacea’s International Expeditions – volunteers who join the programme to strengthen their CV, gain course credit, or collect data for a dissertation or thesis, and gain field experience working alongside real research projects and a range of academic teams
• Operation Wallacea’s Field Courses – these training courses are designed to give participants practical field experience in wildlife survey techniques, analysis of data and how to write up scientific reports. In addition they give exposure to professional scientists, field biologists, film makers etc that have mad careers in wildlife conservation or climate change, so the students can see the career opportunities available.

From Home 

Many organizations need help with translation, fundraising, social media, animal IDs, and more. Think about which skills you can offer, and then reach out to offer support!

Check out the following list for current opportunities to volunteer in conservation from home:

• Smithsonian Transcription Center – Transcribe real field notes for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History!
• eBird – Record & track sightings of birds to aid conservation efforts!
• Bird Track – Record & track sightings of birds to aid conservation efforts!
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds – Volunteer in one of many different positions from an event organizer to a treasurer!
• ZSL Instant Wild – You work to tag animal species across the plains of Africa seen in camera traps! You are provided a guide which will help you identify animals!
• iNaturalist – iNaturalist is another citizen science app that you can use to record the species which you find in the wild. You can also interact with other people just as passionate about conservation as you are!

Careers in Conservation Webinars

Careers in Conservation  A free webinar giving you a comprehensive guide on the many different routes into a career in wildlife conservation and the jobs available in the sector