Just another quick post I'm putting up on here to tell you about something that I've been wanting to do for the longest time. Volunteering abroad. Not only do I have an unbearable itch to travel and see the world, I also want to do what I can to help out causes that are important to me.
Today I joined an online fund raising group called Volunteer Forever. It is a free site for those looking to volunteer in all kinds of projects all around the world.
The cause that I am raising money to be a apart of is the Diving & Marine Conservation Volunteering in Thailand by www.projects-abroad.ca
It's an awesome project that helps with the conservation and protection of the plant and animal life in the surrounding reefs and ecosystems of Thailand.
Here's the lo-down about this amazing opportunity from their website:
Our Diving & Marine Conservation Project in Thailand takes place along the beautiful Andaman Sea coast near Ao Nang and the surrounding islands. Volunteers receive PADI certified scuba diving courses and take part in breathtaking dives along the coral reefs.
Work on this project involves researching and protecting the coral reefs, tropical forests, and costal areas. You can help with community education, beach and ocean clean-ups, and reforestation work. The diving is some of the best in the world and you'll have the chance to observe a wide variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, harmless reef sharks, and hundreds of species of multi-colored tropical fish.
You do not need previous experience to take part in this project and you will receive training to enable you to fully participate in all the activities, research, and surveys. Volunteers are welcome on a gap year, for university research, a career break, or as worthwhile vacation. This project is perfect for anyone interested in marine biology, environmental issues, preserving our eco-systems, and protecting the planet. You will learn new skills and gain hands-on experience under the supervision of our experienced staff.
Volunteers on this project can get involved in a wide variety of activities, such as:
- Reef Check Surveys
- Dive Against Debris Surveys
- Ocean Conservancy Data Collection
- Reforestation Work
- Community Outreach and Education
- Beach clean-ups
- Bio-workshops
.................................
The main aim of this project is to protect and rehabilitate Thailand’s coral reefs, marine eco-systems, and tropical forests, while helping keep the indigenous fish, animals, and birds that live there from becoming endangered.
Krabi Province has some of the oldest remaining mangrove and lowland forests in the whole if Thailand. Coral reefs and mangrove forests are part of the same eco-system. Many of the creatures essential to the coral reef start their life-cycles in mangrove swamps. The continued deforestation of the mangroves and the lowland forests in this area leads to landslides, run off into the ocean, flooding, water shortages, and has an effect on tourism and the economy. Soil erosion from widespread land clearing can send tons of silt downstream. Sediment clouds the water, blocking sunlight, and settles on reefs, suffocating the organisms and destroying the eco-system.
Mangrove and lowland forests are disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests and, so far, with little public notice. Healthy forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. We work to monitor and replant forests in Krabi Province to prevent further destruction and assist with ongoing reforestation work.
The project’s trash and debris collection and recycling initiatives are conducted in line with Project Aware’s Dive Against Debris Survey and the UNESCO-funded Ocean Conservancy Beach Debris Survey.
In the long term, we hope our work will produce ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions. We want to stimulate local community action to protect the remaining pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs and tropical coastal forests worldwide.(projects-abroad, 2014)
So there it is :). This is what I want to be a part of. My fundraiser is officially launched, so you can head on over to this link here---->http://www.volunteerforever.com/volunteer_profile/theresa-cann and check out my profile.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers ;)
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