The desire to be part of something is one of the most human of urges, and undoubtedly one of the main reasons people choose to use their spare time volunteering on expeditions and excavations. These trips offer the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who are moving the science of the past and future forward. Above photo: DOLPHIN RESEARCH VIA EARTHWATCH.
It all sounds pretty epic, but does the reality match up?
Earthwatch Institute was one of the very first organizations to give laymen and women the opportunity to take part in major studies. Over 44 years of operation the company has now guided more than 100,000 members of the general public on adventures across the planet.
SETTING UP THE EQUIPMENT VIA EARTHWATCH
Claire Doe, a sales agent in her 40s, has been on nine expeditions with Earthwatch. She says these trips have given her confidence she never knew she had:
Each expedition has different elements, for example on the project in Churchill, Manitoba [Canada] we were waist high in water every day doing surveys and collecting water samples, insects and fish whilst we had a member of staff watching out for polar bears.
Volunteers like Claire are usually expected to work for about eight hours a day, and can pick an expedition to suit their own fitness levels. Kristen Kusek, the company’s Director of Strategic Communications, sees this work as invaluable:
Volunteers have helped us discover new species, designate new national parks, and more. Our scientists repeatedly tell us that they could not do the work they do without the help of Earthwatch volunteers.
The best example of this was in 2001, when volunteer James Murphy uncovered a nearly complete skeleton of a new species of dinosaur in the Ischigualasto Provincial Park in the Argentinian Andes. It emerged that this was an early ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex, and as a dedication to his work the find was named Eodromaeus murphi.
AN EARTHWATCH DIG VIA EARTHWATCH
Earthwatch, and their main competitor Biosphere, dominate the market because of their clear commitment to ethics – both are non-profit, work towards sustainability and promote education. But, at around $2,000 a trip, this integrity comes at a premium some people simply cannot afford.
Those who have less cash to splash often find themselves on unsatisfying, unethical or badly managed voluntourism trips, simply because there are so many sub-standard companies out there.
There are certain pitfalls that can be avoided. Before booking with a company, prospective volunteers should make sure they know exactly what’s included in the price and have a look at itineraries. It’s important to check staff members are qualified – ideally experts will be on the trip as well as staff trained in health and safety. When researching it’s worth trying to find out where the money is spent; the best organisations publish this on their website. It’s also good to know how the local community is involved in any project. Finally, as with any tour provider, it’s useful to look at online forums like TripAdvisor to find out how they’re rated by people who’ve been there and done it.
TRIM CASTLE VIA FHWRDH
Whether you find what you’re looking for or something else entirely, archaeological excavations and scientific expeditions are uniquely engaging experiences where you can give back and dig deep.
Have you participated in an archaeological excavation or scientific expedition? Please share your experience in the comments below.
By Joanna Eckersley
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
