Volunteering is the best way to get the experience you need, and to meet the people you need to get a job in the environment. In fact, it's practically the only way. More importantly, volunteering helps you figure out what you actually want to do, and you get to meet completely amazing people along the way, not to mention help the planet.

While using volunteer networks, remember that the best way to find out if you're going to like working with a particular organisation is to CHECK THEM OUT YOURSELF. Use the ACTIVE GROUPS directory on this website to see who's out there and get in contact; read about an organisation's objectives and projects on their website; talk to their volunteer co-ordinator; go to their office and check meet the staff; find out if they have action groups and go to a meeting. Make sure you tell them about your skills and you will make it past the photocopier!

Some people give up on the whole idea of volunteering or working for the environment because of a bad volunteer experience. Don't give up! It takes a while to find out exactly where you want to be.

 

ACF VOLUNTEER GREEN www.volunteergreen.org
The Australian Conservation Foundation's Volunteer network specialises in the environment and advertises volunteer opportunities in a diverse range of organisations from community based projects to large NGOs. The search engine allows you to specify the type of work you are looking for, where you want to work (nationwide), and provides a list of the groups available. Their website also provides information on volunteer rights and responsibilities."Volunteers are the backbone of over 500 state and national environmental groups. You can become part of this huge network and help protect our greatest asset - our natural heritage."

 

WWOOF www.wwoof.com.au
When you join WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) Australia you: work in exchange for your keep, get full board and accommodation, usually in the family home, learn about organic growing and about Australia, choose from 1,200 Organic Farms offering to teach you aspects of: Organic growing, Bio-dynamics and Permaculture. Anyone over the age of 17 can join WWOOF. WWOOF Australia members can be of any nationality - including Australian. Working in exchange for food and accommodation is the basis of all WWOOFing. Time spent working varies according to the degree of self-sufficiency expected, how busy the host is at the time of your visit and other factors - but it should average out at about a half day's work for a full day's keep. We suggest that 4 to 6 hours a day is fair exchange for a days full board and accommodation. You can WWOOF around the world as well.

 

VOLUNTEERING VICTORIA www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au
Established for over 20 years, Volunteering Victoria represent volunteer organisations from across the state including Commonwealth and State government departments, local governments and large state peak organisations. Like Go Volunteer, Volunteering Victoria covers a broad range of fields, including Arts/Cultural/Heritage, Community Services/Health, Conservation/Environment, Emergency Services/Safety, Human Rights/Social Justice, and Sport/Recreation. They provide useful information about volunteer rights. Finding out about the actual positions available involves making an appointment with an Information Officer or locating you’re closest Volunteer Resource Centre by calling 9642 5266. Trained volunteer information officers assist potential volunteers to access information, clarify areas of interest and discuss volunteer opportunities in Melbourne and country areas of the state

 

GO VOLUNTEER www.govolunteer.com.au
GoVolunteer provides an abundance of information on finding out about volunteering and volunteer opportunities in your area. The list of positions available covers the environment, sport, the arts, education and safety. Consequently, it is not specialisd to volunteering in the environment and does not cover ALL environmental opportunities available, but lists those positions posted to the site by particular organisations. The search engine allows you to look for the kind of experience you want in the field you want in the location you want.

 

AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS INTERNATIONAL www.australianvolunteers.com
Australian Volunteers International is Australia's largest and most experienced international volunteer sending agency. Every year AVI prepare and support hundreds of Australians who volunteer to live alongside people of other cultures and work towards the sustainable development of communities. AVI's work is aimed at creating a peaceful and just world through greater cross-cultural understanding. It is built on an ethos of partnership, teamwork and consultation. In the last 50 years they have placed more than 6000 Australian Volunteers in 70 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Most assignments are for 2 years, allowing time for volunteers to adjust, integrate and contribute to a host community. However, there are a limited number of positions for shorter periods of between one and two years. For young Australians (age 18+), AVI also offer shorter-term, team-based opportunities for 8-12 weeks.

Expeditions (involve a cost)

CVA VOLUNTEER NETWORK www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
Conservation Volunteers Australia has a national volunteer network for those looking to get involved in hands on conservation work. You can search Australia for conservation projects through Conservation Connect. If you have the travel bug and the finances, check out the amazing places CVA has projects around the world. There is also a youth conservation network, a job seeker network program for over 35s, and "vacation" type experiences incorporating conservation work for those who are not excited about sleeping in a tent (who is that??).

 

GLOBAL VISION INTERNATIONAL www.gviaustralia.com
Global Vision International (GVI) was formed in 1998 to provide support and services to international charities, non profits and governmental agencies. Through our international network of over 100 personnel in over 30 countries GVI continues to support many of the most critical conservation and humanitarian projects around the globe. Make a difference to some of the world's most critical conservation and community projects with Global Vision International. Join challenging
expeditions as diverse as marine conservation in Mexico and the Seychelles, community development in Mexico, high altitude exploration in Patagonia, and
wildlife conservation in the Amazon, Costa Rica, South Africa and Kenya. Or volunteer with GVI's partner organisations in over 15 countries - work with indigenous communities in Guatemala and Ecuador, protect turtles in Panama, teach in Nepal, help with Gibbon rehabilitation in Thailand, plus many more. Field work placements, internships and jobs in the field are also available.

 

EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE www.earthwatch.org
Earthwatch is an international environmental not-for-profit organisation which is committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of life on earth to meet the needs of current and future generations. Our mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch works with a wide range of partners, from individuals who work as conservation volunteers on research teams through to corporate partners, governments and institutions. An Earthwatch expedition offers you the chance to explore parts of the world you might otherwise never see, to amaze yourself by the things you can do and to get your hands dirty in the name of making the world a better place. Working alongside leading scientists, you will join a team of international volunteers working in the field on important environmental issues. Whether you are studying elephant behaviour in the Red Volta River Valley or protecting sea turtle hatchlings on the beaches of Costa Rica, you can rest assured that you will be making a difference at the frontline of conservation. You do not need any special skills - just a spirit of adventure and a desire to help- we'll teach you everything you need to know. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and range from 16 to well over 80, so there is something for everyone.
Join us.

 

KLIPKOP WILDLIFE SANCTUARY www.klipkop.co.za
How far can your passion for conservation take you? The Klipkop Wildlife Sanctuary needs Australian volunteers whose passion for conservation can take them 14,000km. Located in the Gauteng province South Africa, the Klipkop Wildlife Sanctuary promotes the preservation of buck (antelope) species and the protection of bankenveld, a high altitude grassland threatened by urban development. Volunteers participate in all aspects of maintaining the reserve; predominantly environmental conservation, with elements of game management. Travelling with purpose provides an unparalleled depth of experience. On weekends you can be a tourist, savouring the sites, sounds and smells of all that is South Africa; on weekdays, you can give something more than the tourist dollar back. You can make a difference in one of THE conservation destinations of the world… and we know you give a shit about the planet. No experience or qualifications are required; only a passion strong enough to carry you a very long way from home. To start your journey, visit www.klipkop.co.za.

 

GLOBAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK www.volunteer.org.nz
The Global Volunteer Network offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. We currently provide volunteer programs through our partner organizations in Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, USA, and Vietnam. The network continues to expand with new programs currently being researched and assessed.

Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the global community and gain experience, and also fosters personal growth. Whether you would like to take a short volunteer vacation or a prolonged gap year, the Global Volunteer Network provides challenging and affordable international programs.

 

i TO i TRAVEL www.i-to-i.com
I had no idea when I stepped on a plane fifteen years ago that my career break would lead to starting a travel company that touches thousands of lives per year. That flight to find the 'real world' took me to teach English in Japan, China and Greece and drive a backpackers’ bus in Sydney. I went eye-to-eye with fascinating cultures and travellers. But then I decided that it was time to come home and face the music. I started i-to-i with no business experience but loads of passion. The i-to-i Foundation is a registered charity committed to providing funds to the most needy community and ecological projects in the i-to-i family. It has now grown into an international organisation with offices in the UK, USA, Ireland and Australia, with a worldwide team of 130 passionate, dedicated travel-lovers. I’m truly proud that i-to-i is now responsible for sending around 5000 people a year to support 500 worthwhile projects in 5 continents and we also train a further 15,000 people as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teachers, sending 500 of them into paid teaching projects abroad.