volunteer opportunities for divers

[pyeung429]

Hello,

I am fortunate enough to work for a company that allows 6 days of PTO for volunteer-related activities. As a passionate scuba diver, I'd love to volunteer my time towards surveying, conversation, etc. Does anyone have recommendations for reputable volunteer organizations where I can go on some sort of week long volunteer diving adventure? Not sure if this is really the most appropriate thread for this conversation, but if anyone can direct me elsewhere that would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[tyrerubber]

A friend of mine from school and myself started this website which puts together potential volunteers like yourself and many travelling volunteer organizations and opportunities. There are number of opportunites that involve marine habitat conservation and plenty of diving. Here is the link to the main site and three currently available projects as examples.

Volunteering, Volunteer Services, Volunteer Programs, Volunteer Opportunities, Volunteer Work Abroad, Volunteering Holidays

Marine Conservation and Scuba Diving in the Bahamas

Marine Conservation on the Island of Koh Tao

http://govoluntouring.com/caribbean-reef-conservation-belize

 

[Doc]

In diving, you likely have to pay to be a volunteer.

 

[tyrerubber]

True...however, most reputable volunteer organizations require volunteers to pay fees. In general these monies are used by the organizations to operate their programs. These programs are expensive to operate and although the volunteer labour may be free, there is significant expense to host and manage volunteers on site. The dive volunteer trips are no different.

If a volunteer is concerned about where their money is going the truly reputable and legitimate organizations are more than happy to explain the what, when, where, why and who the money that the volunteer pays goes towards.

 

[A.I.M ResearchProject]

[h=4][h=2]Volunteer in Science, Scientific Diving, Education and Community Projects in Costa Rica[/h]
We are a non-profit network that contributes to sustainability and the protection of our environment by utilizing the dedication and combined efforts of our volunteers to aid local protection and preservation endeavors. “Arco Iris del Mar,” A.I.M. for short, is Spanish for “Rainbow of the Sea” and is an environmental network in Costa Rica that works closely with local communities to conserve threatened marine and coastal environments on a grassroots level, building up a showcase scenario that emphasises on a system approach. Together we foster the protection of biodiversity enriching the local community through environmental, educational and social programs.[/h][h=4]Volunteers from around the world can join us on career breaks, student gap years and internships. They will work closely with our field research teams and in partnership with local communities while contributing to our approaches.[/h]Have a look at our website: Volunteer, be Part of Our conservation Efforts while you Dive and Learn Spanish in Costa Rica. or contact us: contact@aim-research-costa-rica.com or just like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A.I.MResearchEnvironmentalVolunteeringCostaRica

 

[fisheater]

If you're willing to learn to dive locally, you can do what I do and volunteer with ReefCheck California.

We conduct surveys of our rocky reefs and count and measure the indicator species of fish, inverts and algae and record data about the substrate.

It's a great way to learn valuable dive skills and how our local ecosystems work and are changing. Plus, it's a great way to "give back."

I, too, use my pro bono days from work to dive for Reef Check.

www.reefcheck.org


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[DevonDiver]

Some questions:

1) Your website states that you provide "scientific diving" training. What scientific diving body provides that? Or is it PADI course/s?!?

2) Are you associated with, or recognized by, any credible academic institution?

3) Has your organization published any reputable study/academic papers, as a result of your research?

4) What database/s are your research material contributed towards?

5) What differentiates you from any other normal diving operation, that might normally run Project Aware courses, beach clean-ups and artificial reef schemes?

6) Are you non-profit or charitable? Is there external funding or sponsorship? ​

 

[nwscubamom]

That's easy - REEF's Volunteer Survey Project!


That's an easy one (but hey, I'm biased you know!) - volunteer to do fish surveys for REEF! :banana:

REEF is a non-profit grass roots organization that enlists the help of recreational divers and snorkelers to gather information about fish presence and abundance in 6 different regions of the world:

• West Coast US and Canada (Pacific NW and California)
• Tropical Eastern Pacific
• NE US and Canada
• Tropical Western Atlantic
• Hawaii
• South Pacific (including Fiji)

So far they've been doing the Volunteer Survey Project for over 20 years, and have accumulated over 160,000 surveys in the database. Pretty cool! :cool3:

Some things I like about REEF:

• Getting started is easy and no/low cost (you'll need a slate of some sort)
• Can be done on an individual basis OR with a group. Your buddy need not do a survey if they don't want to.
• You can do a survey anytime, at any site, at any time of day or night, any time of the year
• Offer free online Fishinars (webinars) to help enhance your mad fish ID skillz
• Divers submit their data online :admin:
• Publically accessible database - yes, even you can pull up info seen at your favorite dive site!
• Data gets USED by researchers, scientists, policy-makers, students, teachers, divers and more.
• Enhances your diving - it won't be the same once you start doing surveys :amazed:
• The survey method doesn't alter your regular diving style (ie: no straight line transects)
• It's FUN and gives you warm fuzzies knowing you're doing something worthwhile :angel2:

Feel free to read about REEF's Volunteer Survey Project on our website The REEF Volunteer Survey Project | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), or email me any questions you might have (contact info on the attachment below).

I am attaching a pdf of our surveyor info sheet. Check it out!

View attachment REEF Surveyor Info Sheet.pdf

Hope you join us!

- Janna