Volunteers Speak Out
If you want to know what it's really like on an Earthwatch expedition, then listen to the people in the know - our volunteers.
Here some of our volunteers shed light on their experiences in the field:
Richard Lawson and Elaine Massie - dedicated Earthwatch volunteers
"The Earthwatch experience is something very special; it made us feel like we were making a difference, that we were personally involved in saving turtles. Ideas we had were tried and tested and not just shunned because we weren't scientists. The only thing we would warn would-be volunteers - beware, it will change your life!"
Ken Brown, Engineer - August 2007
'Everyone at the site was so helpful and knowledgeable - it made such a difference to know that any question about the environment could authoritatively be answered by someone there. I really felt as if my time at Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve may help to make a difference to the future of the park and the security of the environment.'
Geordie Torr, Journalist - May 2007
'On an Earthwatch expedition, you gain experiences and insights that are beyond the realm of a conventional holiday. Working with dedicated scientists, you can have close encounters with the local wildlife, rather than just watching it from afar. And their extensive knowledge of the local ecology will help you gain a deep understanding of the spectacular environments in which you¹re working.'
Joanne Scott, Teacher - August 2007
‘It has been a great opportunity to combine the two things I love, conservation and education, and I strongly believe that education is a powerful tool in saving our endangered species and avoiding any further human impact on our environment. This experience has renewed my passion for conservation!'
Joanna Eede, Journalist - July 2007
‘An Earthwatch expedition gives you a privileged insight and connection to a world most of us don't come into contact with in our daily lives - that of wilderness, and its wild inhabitants. It reminds you of the magic and beauty of the natural world, and how important it is to conserve it for the future of us all.'
Julian Bull - Aug 2007
'Following the monkeys was hard and could be frustrating at times, but fascinating nevertheless. The work gave us a good insight into the behaviour of the monkeys and their response to human contact. It was good to see a graph showing the results of our own observations before we left. It did indeed seem to support the hypothesis stated in the expedition briefing. Seeing this made us realize the value of our contribution.'