Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park
Volunteers carry out research and protection of flora and fauna in remote locations (e.g. in Pescasseroli and Villetta Barrea). Volunteers must cover their insurance and registration fees: €111 for 7 days, €171 for 14 days.
Contact: Centro Operativo Servizio Educazione, Via Roma, 67030 Villetta Barrea (AQ), Italy; 011-39-0864-89102; fax. 011-39-0864-89132; pna.international@flashnet.it (subject line: ‘Volunteer Program’), www.parcoabruzzo.it.
Adriatic Dolphin Project
Students with a background in biology or geography may be accepted as interns. Paying volunteers join researchers in the ancient village of Veli Losinj over the summer. Participation cost is 680-780 euros.
Contact: Blue World Institute of Marine Research, Kastel 24, 51551 Veli Losinj, Croatia; 011-385-51-604666; adp@blue-world.org; www.blue-world.org.
ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece
Enthusiastic and committed volunteers are required for demanding sea turtle conservation projects run by ARCHELON in Greece. Zakynthos, Peloponnesus and Crete are major nesting areas for the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtle in the Mediterranean and have been monitored by ARCHELON, a non-profit making organisation, for 20 years. In Athens, ARCHELON also runs the only Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Greece. Volunteers are invited to work on the island of Zakynthos where the first National Marine Park for sea turtles in the Mediterranean was established in 1999 and assist the Management Body of the Park in its task to protect the nesting beaches. In Peloponnesus, volunteers will protect nests from foxes and other mammals, experience the pilot project of sand dune restoration, help maintain nature trails and the running of the newly established Nature Information Centres. On the island of Crete, participants will work for the implementation of a Management Plan for the nesting areas. At the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist our staff in daily treatment of sea turtles that suffer from accidental and deliberate injuries.
Contact: www.archelon.gr
Atlantic Whale Foundation
Volunteers needed to work 2 to 6 weeks on whale and dolphin projects based in Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain. Must contribute toward expenses, e.g. £400 ($790) for 6 weeks. New database of conservation volunteering opportunities available on website.
Contact: 59 St. Martin’s Ln., London WC2H 4JS, England; 011-44-116-240- 4566; edb@whalenation.org; www.whalefoundation.org.uk.
BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
Organizes working breaks and conservation holidays throughout England for environmentally concerned volunteers. Weekend projects normally cost £60-£75 ($117-$138) and week-long projects cost £130-£160 ($255-$315) inclusive of food, accommodation, and training.
Contact: Sedum House, Mallard Way, Potteric Carr, Doncaster, DN4 8DB, U.K.; 011-44-1302-572244; fax.011-44-1302-311531; information@btcv.org.uk; www.btcv.org.
Conservation Volunteers in Greece
Projects include work in protected landscapes, conservation of traditional buildings and work in archaeological sites.
Contact: www.cvgpeep.gr/eng/enindex.htm
Conservation Volunteers Ireland
Coordinates unpaid environmental working holidays throughout Ireland. Contributions by volunteers start at 25 Euros for a weekend in addition to CVI membership of 25 Euros.
Contact: The Stewart’s House, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin 14, Ireland; 011-353-1-495-2878; www.cvi.ie.
Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries - Cultural and Culinary Seminars
Discover the secrets of Crete's wild nature, culture and cuisine during botanic hikes in majestic mountains, visits to historic sites, organic farms and villages off the map. Journeys change with the seasons and include organic olive oil production, beekeeping, winemaking, cheesemaking and always eating well. Our all-local network of chefs, sustainable organic farmers, botanists, archaeologists work together to present an invaluable experience for our visiting friends.
Contact: nikkirose@cookingincrete.com, www.cookingincrete.com
Earth, Sea and Sky
Volunteers carry out summer projects like cleaning up wildlife habitats on the Greek Ionian island of Zakynthos and rescuing sea turtles.
Contact: P.O. Box 1063, Saxilby, Lincs. LN1 2TN, U.K.; yannis@earthseasky.org, www.earthseasky.org.
EcoForest
Small fruit farm in southern Spain (Costa del Sol) that offers a place to live at low cost (€5, €10, or €15 a day) while changing to a healthy, sustainable way of life. Working visitor program (e.g. see website) where work contributed subsidizes keep; vegan diet, all raw food.
Contact: Apdo Correos 29, 29100 Coin, Malaga, Spain; 011-34-661-079-950; ef@ecoforest.org, www.ecoforest.org.
Ecotouring Tuscany
At Ecotouring Tuscany, we approach our adventure tours with great enthusiasm, within the frame of an environment-friendly approach. With us you will enjoy numerous easy-going activity options, selecting from a range of biking, walking and non-walking choices not offered by other tour operators; food while walking, wine and ecotourism. Tuscany and other regions in north-central Italy, display individual aspects of Italian culture and history, and these will be brought to life by our friendly, expert local guides.
Contact: info@ecotouringtuscany.com, www.ecotouringtuscany.com
Eko-Centre Caput Insulae-Beli
Conservation volunteers to assist in the conservation of the Eurasian griffon vulture, repairing dry stone walls, saving small ponds, picking olives, and helping local shepherds. Volunteers pay €149 for one week, €271 for two weeks; €98/122 in winter, plus €5 a day for food. Long stays of 12 weeks cost €370/871, depending on season.
Contact: Beli 4, 51559 Beli, Island of Cres, Croatia; Tel./fax. 011-385-51-840-525; caput.insulae@ri.htnet.hr; www.caput-insulae.com.
i-to-i Volunteer Travel
Conservation Work in the Lake District
Britain ’s natural environment is prone to erosion as more and more people come to visit and appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of Britain. Volunteers are needed to preserve, repair and improve the rural and urban environment. Typical projects include footpath and trail construction, traditional ‘dry-stone’ wall construction, hedge laying, habitat management, pond and wetland management and tree planting.
Conservation Work in Yorkshire
Volunteers are needed to preserve, repair and improve the rural and urban environment. Typical projects include footpath and trail construction, traditional ‘dry-stone’ wall construction, hedge laying, habitat management, pond and wetland management and tree planting. The volunteer projects involve physically demanding yet equally rewarding labor and are great for people not shy of hard work.
Conservation Work in the West Country
Britain’s natural environment is prone to erosion as more and more people come to visit and appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of Britain. Volunteers are needed to preserve, repair and improve the rural and urban environment. Typical projects include footpath and trail construction, traditional ‘dry-stone’ wall construction, hedge laying, habitat management, pond and wetland management and tree planting. The volunteer projects involve physically demanding yet equally rewarding labor and are great for people not shy of hard work.
Contact: 190 East 9th Avenue, Suite 350, Denver, CO 80203, USA; Tel. 303-765-5325; usca@i-to-i.com, www.i-to-i.com.
IAL/Internationella Arbetslag
Peace and conservation camps organized through the Swedish branch of Service Civil International. Volunteers must apply in their own countries.
Contact: Tegelviksgatan 40, 116 41 Stockholm, Sweden; 011-46-8-643 08 89; fax 011-46-8-641 8188; ial@algonet.se, www.ial.nu
Katelios Group
Volunteer for Turtles in Kefalonia
Volunteers help with all the Group's activities, primarily the conservation of Loggerhead turtle on Kefalonia's sandy beaches, but also environmental education, promotion of sustainable development, raising awareness and information about wildlife Kefalonia.Volunteers have to pay for their food and their trip.The participation cost for each volunteer is 50 Euros per month. This covers administration and accommodation costs.The minimum stay is one month, because of the training that volunteers need in the beginning. Accommodation is provided to all volunteers in a basic private campsite.
Contact: volunteer@kateliosgroup.org, www.kateliosgroup.org
La Brande Woodland & Wildlife Holiday Courses in France
An Introduction to Permaculture, Organic & Forest Gardening
Explore how Permaculture Principles can be applied to create beautiful, productive and wildlife-friendly gardens. Forest gardening offers a new approach to home landscaping in both urban and rural areas. Forest gardens are attractive, low-maintenance gardens that combine food production with ecological function. Courses also offered in Dry Stone Walling; Green Woodworking, Hazel Hurdles & Trellis Making; Basic Bushcraft, Nature & Wildlife Treking; and Woodland Management, Practical Coppicing & Hedgelaying.
Contact: Labrande16@aol.com, www.labrande.com
LIPU, (Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli)
Long-established environmental and bird conservation association. Catalog of volunteer projects including short summary in English sent on request.
Contact: Via Trento 49, 43100 Parma, Italy; 011-39-0521-273043; www.lipu.it
Manga del Mar Menor Restoration and Research Project
Volunteers stay 15 days to 3 months at this coastal wetlands center collecting data and working with the public. Two-month working stay costs about $675.
Contact: Instituto de Ciencias Sociales y Ambientales and Amigos de la UNESCO, Plaza Cetina n°6, Entlo 1°, 30001 Murcia, Spain; Tel./fax 011-34-968-22-05-96; unesco@ctv.es, www.ctv.es/USERS/murban/volunt.htm
Medasset
Volunteers given free accommodation in central Athens in exchange for working for 3 weeks in the Medasset office providing administrative back up for a sea turtle rescue project in Zakinthos and elsewhere
Contact: 1c Licavitou Str, 106 72 Athens, Greece; 011-30-210 36 13 572; www.euroturtle.org, www.medasset.org/medas.htm.
National Trust Working Holidays
Britain’s National Trust cares for more wildlife, including 1,250 vulnerable species, than any other European charity. It owns more than 240,000 hectares of land and 575 miles of coastline, making it the largest private landowner in Britain. A virtual army of staff and volunteers assist in managing these habitats with 450 well-organized holidays a year in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The catalog is online. Bookings from overseas volunteers between 18 and 70 are welcome and very inexpensive at about £60 per week, including food and hostel accommodations. Most older adults choose projects classified as Oak, Oak Plus, and Archaeological Holidays because they are less physically rigorous. (review by Alison Gardner).
Contact: P.O. Box 84, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1ZP, U.K.; 011-0870 429 2429; www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Natuur 2000
Flemish conservation organization hosts short summer workcamps and study projects throughout Belgium open to all nationalities.
Contact: Bervoetstraat 33, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; 011-32-3-231-26-04; natuur2000@telenet.be, www.natuur2000.be.
Quinta das Abelhas: Volunteering on Organic Smallholding. Organic smallholding in Central Portugal. We welcome volunteers on working holidays and provide free camping and meals in return for your work. This is a great way to travel cheaply around Europe, ideal for back packers, gap year students, or anyone who'd like to sample an alternative way of life and/or learn more about organic farming and low-impact living.
Contact: abelhas@pureportugal.co.uk, www.pureportugal.co.uk/abelhas
Planorganic.com, www.planorganic.com, based in West Cork, posts a few vacancies on Irish organic and ordinary farms. Also try the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association in Co. Westmeath which posts a handful of its members looking for live-in helpers; www.iofga.org/services/placelist.htm. There is no longer a WWOOF branch in Ireland but the international WWOOF organization (www.wwoof.org) lists 100 independent hosts offering a work-for-keep arrangement.
Sejours in Flora N Fauna
France Study Abroad Program in Cultural and Natural History
Come to France! SFF offers hiking, walking and biking tours, seminars, internships, and study abroad programs. Learn about the cultural and natural history in France during 1 and 2 week tours, short seminars, intensive two-week courses, quarter sessions, semester sessions or during year-long sessions. Participate in tours and courses in French, French culture and history, Belgium Beers, France Economic Biology/Botany, General Ecology of the French Pyrenees, France Medical and Edible Wild Plants, French Parks and Gardens, Nature Preserves of France, and more. This travel abroad program offers tons to nature and culture lovers.
Contact: sffinfo-a@sejours-ff.com, www.sejours-ff.com
Sunseed Desert Technology aims to develop, demonstrate and communicate accessible, low-tech methods of living sustainably in a semi-arid environment. They are based in the province of Almeria in the eastern part of Andalucia, Southern Spain.
Every year up to three hundred international volunteers come to work at Sunseed Desert Technology staying for between a week and several months. Volunteers can work in all of our departments which include: Appropriate Technology, Organic Gardening, Dryland Management and Construction and Maintenance. All volunteers and staff also share the communal cooking and cleaning duties. Volunteers pay a weekly donation towards food and accommodation, this money almost entirely funds the work of the project.
Contact: Sunseed Desert Technology, Apdo 9, 04270 Sorbas, Almeria, Spain, sunseedspain@arrakis.es, tel. + 34 950 525 770, www.sunseed.org.uk
Travel Abroad 
Responsible Travel and Ecotourism 
