Backcountry Volunteering

Australia

Australian Trust For Conservation Volunteers

The Trust is a non-profit, non-political community based organisation, which undertakes conservation projects which will be of benefit to the Australian environment. We arrange more than 1000 "hands on" conservation projects each year.

Conservation projects undertaken include:

Building and maintaining bush walking tracks
Tree Planting
Erosion and salinity control
Collecting seeds of indigenous plants
Restoring historic buildings
Endangered flora and fauna protection surveys
Habitat restoration
Noxious weed eradication

Britain

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
36 St Mary's Street
Wallingford, Oxfordshire
OX10 0EU
Tel 01491839766

Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers
47 Lechmere Avenue
Chigwell
IG7 5HA

"Work on bogs and ponds is carried out to improve and maintain these special habitats. This involves removal of silt, rubbish, encroaching vegetation and cutting back of overshadowing trees."

The National Trust
"Working Holidays"
33 Sheep Street
Cirencester, Glocestershire
GL7 1QW
Tel 0285651818

Note that the British volunteer trips generally do not involve camping and the hostel is usually within walking distance of a pub. Hours typically 9-5 and well supervised.

Costa Rica

Rain Forest Rangers
Kurt Schaefer
2435 Pruett Drive
Vista, CA 92084
Tel: (619)726-3487

Costs: Transportation to San Jose, Costa Rica. Possibly additional costs. "Free food and lodging at the Osa Rain Forest Reserve in Costa Rica". 2 weeks for students on first trip all others 30 day minimum. Volunteer areas: Life services (S+R, lifeguard, 1st aid), Engineers (Construction, mapping, marking), Agriculture, Rangers (Security, Scientific, Guide).