Deforestation
Forests help to avert the climate crisis by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and provide a home to 80% of land-based animals and plants, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
But we’re losing forests fast. They used to cover 57% of land, but today that figure is only 31%, according to Our World in Data. Half of them have been lost during the past century. Not only do they release CO2 when they’re burnt or cut down, but the soil underneath quickly becomes unsuitable for plant growth in a process known as desertification.
Restoring a forest is also more complicated than simply running a tree planting initiative. It’s much better to preserve existing forests by establishing and maintaining protected areas managed by indigenous communities.
This is exactly what we do through our biodiversity surveys. In addition, we support local organisations with reforestation by rehabilitating soil, removing invasive plant species, planting indigenous trees and monitoring their growth.
But we’re losing forests fast. They used to cover 57% of land, but today that figure is only 31%, according to Our World in Data. Half of them have been lost during the past century. Not only do they release CO2 when they’re burnt or cut down, but the soil underneath quickly becomes unsuitable for plant growth in a process known as desertification.
Restoring a forest is also more complicated than simply running a tree planting initiative. It’s much better to preserve existing forests by establishing and maintaining protected areas managed by indigenous communities.
This is exactly what we do through our biodiversity surveys. In addition, we support local organisations with reforestation by rehabilitating soil, removing invasive plant species, planting indigenous trees and monitoring their growth.
Our Current Initiatives
- Invasive plant removal in Seychelles in collaboration with Seychelles National Parks Authority
- Indigenous tree planting in Seychelles in collaboration with Terrestrial Restoration Action Society of Seychelles (TRASS)
- Indigenous tree planting in South Africa in collaboration with Karongwe private wildlife and nature reserve
- Biodiversity surveys in Thailand with the goal of collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
- Biodiversity surveys in Costa Rica in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE)
- Biodiversity surveys in Peru in collaboration with Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park
2692
Mangroves were planted as part of coastal restoration and rehabilitation in 2018
1779
Biodiversity surveys conducted on species identification and habitats in 2018
107
Community members trained in biodiversity surveying techniques in 2018
Where you can contribute
Kickstart your career in conservation by spending three months gaining work experience in a lush Costa Rica rainforest.
Conduct jaguar research in Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park.
Work to conserve green, hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.
Start your career in conservation by completing an internship program in biodiversity hotspot, Costa Rica.
Assist with conservation initiatives on this unique internship in Costa Rica, as you gain practical experience for a potential career in marine conservation.
Live with other teens on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast while learning about rainforest conservation.
Hike through the Costa Rican rainforest identifying reptile and amphibian species.
Conduct biodiversity research in the rainforest lining Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.
Assist in the protection and study of both aquatic and forest birds, whilst living and working in a Costa Rican rainforest.
Kickstart your wildlife conservation research career in the Peruvian Amazon.
Protect and conserve an important loggerhead turtle nesting area in the Mediterranean.
Conserve turtles on this teen volunteer project in the historic coastal town of Giannitsochori, Greece.
Join our sea turtle conservation internship in Greece’s Mediterranean coast and help us contribute to vital conservation efforts while learning valuable professional skills.
Contribute to marine, coastal, and island conservation in Fiji and Thailand.
Looking to ‘save the lemurs’? You’ve come to the right place.
Stand out from other candidates by gaining conservation experience in a one-of-a-kind habitat.
Contribute to marine and terrestrial conservation efforts and experience an unspoilt island paradise.
Help to conserve three of the Seychelles' most important marine species, the sicklefin lemon shark, the hawksbill and the green turtle.
Gain practical conservation experience to develop your career whilst contributing to conservation efforts on an island paradise.
Learn how climate change is affecting Seychelles while contributing to the sustainable management of Curieuse Island.
Gain work experience in an environmental communications role while contributing to the conservation of Curieuse island.
Learn techniques for surveying tropical flora, fauna, and habitats while contributing to the sustainable management of Curieuse island.
Join us in contributing towards protecting the giant tortoises and the incredible island ecology of Seychelles.
Contribute to the removal of invasive species on Curieuse Island to help native species recover.
Make the most out of your time abroad and experience two amazing locations, while volunteering on critical terrestrial and marine conservation projects.
Investigate and study two of the most renowned marine species in the world, while on Curieuse Island, in Seychelles.
Kickstart your career in conservation by gaining invaluable work experience in the South African savannah habitat.
Join an international team to conduct wildlife research and conservation in South Africa.
Complete a three-month conservation training program then gain another three months of field experience with a South African conservation organisation or private nature reserve.
Contribute to big cat conservation and participate in other valuable wildlife research in South African.
Contribute to the preservation of the threatened cheetah species in the South African savannah.
Witness African bush elephants in the wild while working with an international team on ongoing wildlife conservation efforts.
Spot lions, elephants, and other wildlife on a safari conservation awareness experience in South Africa.
Gain practical experience in the field of conservation by working with big cats and contributing to the collection of valuable wildlife research in South Africa.
Make the most out of your time abroad and experience two amazing locations, while volunteering on critical terrestrial and marine conservation projects.
Spend 23 weeks training in the African bush with an optional 1 month, 3 month or 6 month non-guiding placement.
Travel to the African savannah to participate in rhino poaching awareness efforts and wildlife research studies.
Spend 23 weeks training in the African bush with an optional 6 months placement
Spend 6 months training in the African bush on this Wildlife Conservation and Research Internship in South Africa.
Volunteer with sea turtles and renovate schools with other teens, while you explore Southern Thailand.
Support community efforts working with elephants, relieved from their previous lives in the tourism industry.
Assist in the conservation of Thailand’s natural environment on this all-encompassing expedition.
Volunteer in the forests of Northern Thailand with a semi wild herd of elephants, while gaining leadership experience and further expanding your skills set.
Lead beach cleans, analyse data collected, conduct plastic awareness workshops in the local community, and assist with sea turtle conservation in Thailand.
Visit the illustrious Phang Nga region of Thailand, as you engage in a conservation internship assisting with protecting endangered local sea turtle populations.
Explore the beautiful region of the Chiang Mai province and its semi wild elephants, while gaining practical skills on our your Wildlife Conservation Internship.
Kickstart your career in conservation by completing this coastal conservation internship in Thailand.
Get a headstart on your career in conservation when completing this six month conservation internship in Southern Thailand.
Take part in crucial conservation efforts by getting involved with turtle research in Phang Nga.
Contribute to marine, coastal, and island conservation in Fiji and Thailand.
Contribute to the preservation of two endangered species, while exploring the coasts of Southern Thailand and the forested hillsides of the North.
This unique course offers you a rare view into the ways that communities and conservationists perceive and react to the realities of saving elephants in one region of Thailand.
Contribute to coral reef conservation research in Southern Thailand.
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Recent Publications
2022
Peer-reviewed scientific publication
Impacts of African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) on tall trees and their recovery within a small, fenced reserve in South Africa
Katie Elizabeth Thompson, Andrew Ford, Genoveva Esteban, Angelo Poupard, Kayla Zoon, Nathalie Pettorelli