Conservation Volunteer Work

Hey! Just wondered if anyone could give me any advice about doing volunteer conservation work? Have just finished uni and planning on heading off travelling for a while...for as long or as short as I want, no plans to be home anytime soon! Does 'free' volunteer work exist? There are a lot of projects where you can make a donation, but I just want to work and help out that way instead of donating. Is it best just to rock up somewhere I fancy? I am open to anywhere and any suggestions really! Thanks.

Where are you going to? In NZ and Australia there are quite large volunteer networks for conservation - in Australia, http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/ is a biggie. It started (I think) last year in NZ but currently the Department of Conservation are the still the best most organised nationwide volunteer network (simply cos of the scope). What you will find is that countries which have strong conservation groups also tend to have some quite strong volunteer groups.

No idea about places in the Americas or Asia unfortunately.

BTW the Department of Conservation in New Zealand won't charge you for their services. So if you can, go for them. :)

Edited by: sneaker_fish