During these times of remote working and studying at home, staff and students from the School of Anthropology and Conservation are presenting tips and advice on methods and resources that will help us with our productivity and wellbeing. Here, Katrine Burford-Bradshaw, studying on the BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Conservation with A Year in Professional Practice, offers some guidance on conservation volunteering online.
“Staying at home can leave you feeling helpless and wondering how to spend your time. If you are interested in wildlife and conservation, there are plenty of online opportunities where you can help in a variety of ways. You can gain experience which will be useful in the future without even leaving your house!
“Go and check out these sites and get stuck in!
Zooniverse
“Zooniverse lists projects that require help: it can be anything from transcribing a herbarium collection to identifying bird calls. There is a project for everyone, so definitely worth a look.
Wildlifetek
“Wildlifetek offer numerous courses and online training to help you get closer to wildlife, and recently hosted an online wildlife technology conference. With the lockdown looking to continue, I’m sure it will be one of many and should provide great opportunity for volunteering.
Elgon Wildlife Conservation
“Elgon Wildlife Conservation Organisation are looking for volunteers to help them develop content. If you are creative or good at graphic design, this may be the one for you.
GivingWay
“GivingWay is a platform where organisations across the world come together and upload tasks that they need completing. The opportunity may be a one-off task designing a logo or updating content for a website.
ZSL Instant Wild
“ZSL Instant Wild needs volunteers to catalogue camera trap footage. They provide handy field guides to help you identify what is what.
Citizen Science Camera Trap Projects
“There is an immense amount of camera trap footage that needs cataloguing. Citizen Science is a platform where companies that require online volunteering can advertise. It’s a great way to get experience analysing data, get familiar with exotic species and see some incredible creatures.
RSPB
“The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds always has plenty of volunteer opportunities that can be completed from your home. Current opportunities include fundraisers and membership officers.
“There are many ways you can continue to do your bit for conservation, so have a look and see which one is for you.”
You can read more about Katrine in her student profile.