The conservation of wildlife, and biodiversity, is one of the most critical issues of our time—and it is at the heart of what we do at WorkingAbroad.
Global wildlife populations have decreased by 68% since 1970, in just 50 years, due to human activity and particularly over-consumption and unsustainable farming. This shocking loss of life affects human health and well-being, and the negative impacts on society and the planet are growing.
We define wildlife as ‘life outside of human civilisation’, but wildlife is the core of our life systems. Every region of the world has diverse collections of wildlife that inhabit—and sustain—the environment.
Wildlife helps maintain the ecological balance of nature. And nature provides us with our most essential goods and services: breathable air, clean water, food, fibres, building materials, medicines, energy, fertile soils, climate regulation, transport, and recreational and spiritual values. Wildlife is a source of inspiration and wonder and is of immense cultural importance for every country and community across the globe.
The planet’s biodiversity—the biological variety and variability of life, from viruses and fungi to great apes like us—is found in its highest concentrations across the Earth’s tropical regions and oceans. For this reason, it is of paramount importance to protect the last of our great forest and marine habitats.
Protecting wildlife demands large-scale change. It is vital to protect wild landscapes and ensure connectivity between them for gene flow, allowing species movement and migration across large spaces. It is equally as important to educate society about the importance of protecting large areas of wilderness.
WorkingAbroad is partnering with projects around the world to protect, conserve and restore strategically important habitats so that wildlife can flourish. We are seeking volunteers to join our place-based initiatives located on the frontlines of wildlife conservation and restoration across the globe. Gain conservation experience by patrolling with rangers in the Peruvian Amazon or monitoring marine life in the Great African Seaforest.
Our founders vet each project partner to ensure they meet our rigorous standards of ethics, effectiveness and professionalism.