When is Your Expedition?

Anyone can accompany an expedition. Archaeological and scientific expeditions are frequently looking for paid-to-participate volunteers, both to assist and help defray costs. Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience that also benefits the world? Check out a few of the opportunities below.

EarthWatch Institute (http://earthwatch.org/)

“For over 40 years, EarthWatch has connected everyday people with the world’s stop scientists to help conduct vital research for a sustainable planet.”

Interested in Archaeology & Culture? In 2015 alone, EarthWatch Institute-sponsored expeditions will be investigating the archaeological treasures of the Mongolian Steppes, examining prehistoric artifacts in New Mexico, uncovering secrets of Roman life in Britain and studying ruins left by the ancient peoples of Tuscany, Italy.

How about global warming? EarthWatch’s climate change expeditions will span the globe from the Himalays to Borneo, Costa Rica to the Arctic and the French Pyrenees.

Oceanic expeditions are planned for the Seychelles, South Africa, the Caymans, Bahamas, Australia and beyond.

Oceanic Society (http://www.oceanicsociety.org/)

“Oceanic Society was founded in 1969 by a small group of people who were concerned about health of our oceans and wanted to make a difference. Volunteers have continued to play an important role throughout our history, and we invite you to lend your hand as a volunteer in one of our programs. Our Volunteer Vacations offer hands-on opportunities for you to participate in conservation-focused research efforts that study a range of threatened species and habitats.”

Upcoming Oceanic Society volunteer opportunities include:

• Belize: St. George’s Caye Sea Turtles & Manatees
• Belize: St. George’s Caye Coral Reef Research (snorkeling)
• Belize: Coral Reef Monitoring at Turneffe Atoll (scuba)
• Belize: Turneffe Atoll Bottlenose Dolphin Research
• Ulithi Atoll Community Conservation Program
• Whales of Guerrero Research Project (Mexico)

Blue Ventures (http://blueventures.org/)

“Through our award-winning expeditions, volunteers from around the world join our teams in the field, working closely with local communities and field scientists on marine research.”

Upcoming Blue Ventures volunteer expeditions include seaside diving in Madagascar as well as reef and lionfish surveys in Belize.

Pacific Islands Research Institute (http://www.pacificislandsresearchinstitute.org/)

“Raivavae, French Polynesia: Our 2015 mission is to relocate precisely with an advanced GPS, all the archaeological sites previously recorded during the original surveys competed in the late 80’s by Edmundo Edwards and those newly discovered during our 2006 expedition. This is an important final piece of research as it relates to Edmundo’s 40 years of research throughout Polynesia and Easter Island.”