Wildlife conservation and community volunteer projects and internships worldwide

Volunteer in North America

"Being able to lead the Eco Camp at the end of my stay was definitely one of the highlights of my internship. I was able to share my enthusiasm for the environment with not only the children at the camp but their parents as well. "

Fraser Dane, Canada

View Our Projects

The vast stretches of the American continent provide incredible displays of the variety of natural landscapes.  From the snowy tipped mountains of the north to the Great Plains of the central parts of the United States, to the magnificently deep gorges of the Grand Canyon, and from dense cloud forests off the coast of California, to stretching deserts in one part and icy lakes in another.  From coastline to coastline, the subcontinent of North America contains some of the worlds most visited national parks and a set of changing landscapes that leave you feeling as if there isn’t enough time in the world to explore them all.

We provide the opportunity to volunteer in North America on our conservation and ecological restoration programmes throughout Nevada, Oregon, California and North Carolina.  Volunteers and interns can join our ecological and botanical projects in Oregon, river protection and conservation  work in North Carolina and ecological restoration and environmental education programmes in Nevada and California.

Our Projects in North America

  • new Wildlife Rescue Internship Project, Canada

    Wildlife Rescue Internship Project, Canada

    • Duration 4 weeks-6 Months
    • Prices from £195

    Join a team of passionate animal husbandry professionals in the field and get hands-on experience in a wildlife rehabilitation centre that specialises in the treatment, care and release of sick, injured and orphaned Canadian native mammal species including black bear, raccoon, river otter, beaver and more.

    Apply Now
  • most popular California Conservation Volunteer Project

    California Conservation Volunteer Project

    • Duration 8 - 12 weeks
    • Prices from £1550

    An opportunity to volunteer all across National Parks and Nature Reserves throughout California, whilst gaining experience in ecological restoration and conservation work

    Apply Now
Marina, Greece

"I worked as volunteer field assistant at the Zumwalt Prairie, in Enterprise, Oregon, USA, for two months. They were two amazing months! The place is stunning and full of energy. During these months, I learned how to work within a group, how to implement many ecological field techniques and how to manage some ecological issues."

Marina, Greece
David Swallow

"My favourite project was in the backcountry of Kings Canyon. This was a truly remarkable experience spending a month in the high Sierra Nevada mountains. A challenging experience but one that has stayed with me since then."

David Swallow
Fraser Dane, Canada

"Being able to lead the Eco Camp at the end of my stay was definitely one of the highlights of my internship. I was able to share my enthusiasm for the environment with not only the children at the camp but their parents as well. "

Fraser Dane, Canada
Interesting Facts

Interesting Facts

  • Based on mitochondrial evidence, scientists have concluded that all Native Americans come from a single population group that lived during the time of the last ice age.
  • North America is the only continent in the world that has all climatic types.
  • Two of the world’s largest tectonic plates are in North America. They collide frequently along California and Alaska, which usually causes violent earthquakes in the area.
  • Death Valley, where North America’s lowest point is located, is also where the world’s highest air temperature was recorded.
Wildlife in North America

Wildlife in North America

The diversity in landscape and habitat across the subcontinent means a variety of fauna and flora can be found and experienced by volunteers in North America.  It is home to multiple different ecoregions and there are some recognisable and interesting species that make up an important part of the wildlife.  There are over 800 species of bird,  including the United States national icon – the bald eagle or the Canadians national bird – the common loon.  There are many incredible mammal species, ranging from grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves to beavers and Caribou.  Marine mammals like blue whales, spinner dolphins, orcas and porpoises live off the coastal waters.  Reptile, amphibian, fish and invertebrate species are found in abundance from rattlesnakes, snapping turtles and alligators to spotted salamanders and tree frogs.

Conservation Threats

Conservation Threats

Because of the array of species, there are also multiple flora and fauna on the continent which are endangered or increasingly threatened.  Some of the most common dangers are climate change, habitat loss, pollution and invasive species. Mammals are severely affected by increasing habitat destruction across the subcontinent.  Common threats to fish include overfishing, habitat degradation, poor water conditions and climate change – which is particularly relevant for coldwater fish, due to their extreme sensitivity to changes in water temperature.  Our volunteer and internship programmes in North America offer you the chance to get involved in hands on conservation work and environmental education with a view to preserving the habitats and species under threat.