Gap Year Advice and Information

Boost your conservation knowledge on a gap year

Each year hundreds of volunteers join Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) to assist in conserving fragile and exotic tropical marine and terrestrial environments...

CCC are soon to be recruiting volunteers for brand new projects in both Mexico and Cuba, due to start in the Autumn of 2003. Want to have fun and gain practical, valuable experience at the leading edge of conservation, then read on to find out how…..

What exactly is Coral Cay Conservation?

Established in 1986, Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) is an award-winning, independent organisation, dedicated to ‘providing resources to help sustain the livelihoods of local communities and alleviate poverty through the protection and restoration of tropical forests and coral reefs.’

Where does CCC work?

Volunteers can work on either marine or rainforest projects in the Philippines and Malaysia. There are additional opportunities for volunteers interested in marine expeditions in both Fiji and Honduras.

And new projects for the Autumn…

These will include CCC’s first Wetlands based project in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Volunteers will be based in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, which was established in 1986 to preserve vast areas of coastal and marine habitats including coastal reefs, savannas, mangroves, and tropical forests. The reserve is rich in biodiversity - home to charismatic creatures like manatees, howler and spider monkeys, pumas, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles.

Who joins volunteer projects? Projects are open to anyone above the age of 16. Volunteers come from a diverse range of ages, nationalities and backgrounds but share the same interests - to do something positive for the environment, learn new skills, meet new people and explore new environments.

How does it work?

Expeditions depart monthly throughout the year and paying volunteers can spend anything from two weeks to several months on site. For marine expeditions, if you haven’t dived before, then CCC will train you up to PADI Advanced Open Water level before you embark on the surveying work, which follows.

Do I need a science background to carry out surveys?

No scientific background is required as full survey skills are taught at the beginning of each expedition. This is a two-week science-training course for marine expeditions and simply one week for terrestrial projects before you start the real research…

And if I really really enjoy it…

Past volunteers can take part in the Representative Scheme by promoting CCC in their local area and gaining a free expedition as reward. There are other ways to get involved with Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) too as they offer intern opportunities at their London Head Office and also seek voluntary expedition staff to manage the overseas expeditions.

Interested?

Contact Ruth Charlton for an information pack on 0208 545 7717 or rc@coralcay.org