Conservation Volunteers Wanted for Award Winning Marine Programme

  Madagascar

Andavadoaka

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: The field research of Blue Ventures projects is carried out by our overseas volunteers, who work closely with our field research scientists and camp staff.

Every 6 weeks a new team of volunteers arrives at the field site, ensuring year-round sustainability of our research in the region. At any one time there may be up to 16 volunteers working at the camp. In addition to volunteers, the camp comprises Malagasy and international research scientists, as well as local and international Blue Ventures staff.

During the course of a Blue Ventures research expedition, research volunteers are encouraged to play an active role in all aspects of research currently underway in the marine environment and local community. Through participation in ecological research efforts, volunteers dive to collect data at monitoring sites, surveying the ecological health and status of coral reef habitats.

Underwater volunteers also take part in exploratory and reconnaissance research efforts, identifying new sites of interest, and visiting previously unknown marine environments. Onshore, volunteers participate in social research projects. These include fisheries and socioeconomic surveys, community environmental education and awareness-raising initiatives, and teaching English and French in local schools.

Volunteers with no previous experience are given PADI scuba-diving training up to Advanced level.

Highlights: 'Brilliant and thoroughly fulfilling. An unforgettable experience due to the quality of the staff, the charity's aims and the site.' 'Everything about it was amazing and something I will talk about for a long time.' (Mike Cowdy, UK volunteer)

'I would like to say a massive thankyou to everyone involved in BV. I had an amazing time over there, learned a lot and made some important decisions regarding my own future whilst on site.' (Neil Madigan, UK volunteer)

"The overall experience is difficult to put in words. It will be one of the best experiences of my life and I am sometimes still speechless when friends ask how it was." Edwin Surtel, 41, Netherlands volunteer).

Limited Volunteer Numbers

Blue Ventures limits the number of volunteers on each expedition to a ratio of 3 volunteers to 1 staff member. We believe that by ensuring that numbers are kept low, volunteers receive a high standard of scientific training and support, no matter what their backgrounds.

Many organisations offering volunteer research opportunities and expeditions work with several times as many volunteers in the same programme, simultaneously. We feel that this can limit the learning experience, the availability of facilities, and the activities and training that the volunteer can participate in.

Blue Ventures invests in staff resources in the field and in Madagascar we have a team of over 20 staff from Madagascar and all over the world. The team always includes an Expedition Medic, the welfare of our volunteers is a top priority.
In addition, there may be local scientists, and visiting researchers and students, all of whom are on hand to assist in volunteer training and support. We believe that this ensures that volunteers have adequate guidance for expedition activities at all times.

Qualifications: No qualifications are needed to become a Blue Ventures volunteer

Cost in US$: From $2,250 for a 3 week trip and $3,000 for 6-week trip

If you are already qualified as a diver you will be entitled to a reduction, depending on your level of certification.

In addition to the expedition joining fee volunteers are expected to purchase:

- Personal Diving kit (e.g. mask, snorkel, wet-suit, fins)
- Other field kit (e.g. torch, sleeping bag)
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Innoculations
- Flights
- Visas

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We welcome applications from volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. At any one time, we are able to accept up to a maximum of 16 research volunteers per project. In our experience these numbers allow us to maximise the research potential, whilst ensuring that the team gets the utmost enjoyment from the research. Larger numbers of people means that volunteers would dive less or feel less involved in the projects.

Age Range: 18-70

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Madagascar Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of in groups of 18

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Blue Ventures's Mission Statement: To give coastal communities the knowledge and skills they need to live sustainably.

Year Founded: 2001