Wilderness Conservation Field Researcher

location
8 - 16 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Explore the amazing Scottish Highlands and other wild regions of Scotland
  • Help save the Highlands one of the last strongholds for wildlife in Western Europe
  • Learn about Wildlife & Environment conservation and research

Highlights

  • Explore the amazing Scottish Highlands and other wild regions of Scotland
  • Help save the Highlands one of the last strongholds for wildlife in Western Europe
  • Learn about Wildlife & Environment conservation and research
  • Work alongside an amazing team of staff and other volunteers!
  • Make unforgettable memories!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Venture in to the spectacular, remote Scottish Highlands and volunteer abroad taking part in wildlife and environmental conservation to protect the native wildlife!

    Venture in to the spectacular Scotland and volunteer abroad taking part in wildlife and environmental conservation in the remote Scottish Highlands to protect wildlife like the European Wild Cat, White-Tailed Eagles, European Otter, European Otter, Osprey and Golden Eagle!

    Scotland is home to some of ...

    About the program

    Venture in to the spectacular Scotland and volunteer abroad taking part in wildlife and environmental conservation in the remote Scottish Highlands to protect wildlife like the European Wild Cat, White-Tailed Eagles, European Otter, European Otter, Osprey and Golden Eagle!

    Scotland is home to some of the last wild places in Europe. It's wildlife is making a comeback including for many species of Wildlife. In this project you will get involved in Environmental conservation work as well as field research. From Removing Invasive plant species to Wildlife Research and monitoring. From Repairing bird hides to the constructing of fences and much more. All the work of our volunteers goes towards securing the future of the Scottish wildernesses and wildlife. 

    Your volunteering will take place on a network of nature reserves. There are  a wide range of reserves, including woodland, grasslands, peat bogs, coastal reserves, upland reserves and urban reserves. You will get the opportunity to work on many different projects on many different sites to make sure for a great learning experience for your self and in return a great help for our program.

    With the min duration of 12 weeks and max duration of 24 weeks, you need to be committed for this experience. You will be working as part of a small team of volunteers undertaking a wide range of practical conservation tasks. This could include: the felling of non-native trees, wildlife monitoring & research, removing invasive plants, maintaining footpaths, constructing fences, installing reserve signs, building boardwalks, repairing bird hides.

    The location of the projects will be mostly in the Scottish Highlands and some of the other wilderness areas of Scotland. On request you can also volunteer from the Edinburgh area for those who prefer some more comfort and all the activities a large city has to offer. The location of your volunteering program will be determined after you apply and depending on your preference and the current need of the project.

    You will be working along side local and international volunteers as well as very experienced research and conservation staff who will train you and guide you through this amazing experience. 

    We expect the volunteers to be hard working, open minded, resilient to bad weather,  flexible and willingness to learn! There are no requirements regarding specific skills or equipment.

    Typical day

    You will be working as part of a small team of volunteers undertaking a wide range of practical conservation tasks. This could include:
    • Felling non native trees
    • Wildlife Monitoring & Research
    • Removing invasive plants
    • Maintaining footpaths
    • Constructing fences
    • Installing reserve signs
    • Building boardwalks
    • Repai

    Typical day

    You will be working as part of a small team of volunteers undertaking a wide range of practical conservation tasks. This could include:
    • Felling non native trees
    • Wildlife Monitoring & Research
    • Removing invasive plants
    • Maintaining footpaths
    • Constructing fences
    • Installing reserve signs
    • Building boardwalks
    • Repairing bird hides
    A regular day at this program is difficult to describe as every day is different. You will be picked up from your local accommodation by a team member and brought to the project site. Some evenings you will be brought back to your accommodation and other days you will stay overnight and camp in the Scottish country side and wildernesses. 

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers have an opportunity to take part in an endless amount of activities such as; tours, nature parks, swimming, hiking, mountain climbing, museums, sightseeing, nightlife and so much more! Please be reminded that any leisure time activity will be at the volunteer's own expense.

    The location of ...

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers have an opportunity to take part in an endless amount of activities such as; tours, nature parks, swimming, hiking, mountain climbing, museums, sightseeing, nightlife and so much more! Please be reminded that any leisure time activity will be at the volunteer's own expense.

    The location of the projects will be mostly in the Scottish Highlands and some of the other wilderness areas of Scotland. On request you can also volunteer from the Edinburgh area for those who prefer some more comfort and all the activities a large city has to offer.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Required Documents

    CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two pics and Signed Policies and Liability form (provided during application process)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 16:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Fronteering Travel

    The Fee includes: 

    Accommodation - Volunteers will be staying in small single private rooms.

    Professional training - You will be trained in wildlife conservation and research and will be provided the needed tools, equipment, health and safety.

    Ongoing service and 24/7 Emergency Contact

    Whats not included: Flights, insurance, Meals, Public transport from your accommodation to the project site

    Accommodation

    Accommodation included. Volunteers will be staying in small single rooms.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Edinburgh Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (EDI) in Edinburgh. We assist you to find cheap flights to United Kingdom. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for United Kingdom provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in United Kingdom you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for United Kingdom. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    There is no specific start/arrival dates however we recommend that you start the project off on a Monday.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    8 weeks (min. stay) 2,988€
    10 weeks 3,586€
    12 weeks 4,185€
    14 weeks 4,683€
    16 weeks (max. stay) 5,182€
    Average fees 348€/week

    Program fees

    348€ per week 8 - 16 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    8 - 16 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Fronteering Travel

    Perfect 4.6 rating (87 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2010

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Patrick

    Spoken languages: Dutch, English, German

    About the project

    Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

    Meet your organization

    Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

    Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

    Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

    True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

    Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

    A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

    Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

    Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

    Mission
    FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

    Vision
    FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


    87 reviews · rating4.6

    Victor Molineau rating5

    2020 at Wilderness Conservation Field Researcher

    Fronteering Travel put me in contact with Scottish Wildlife Trust, an conservation organism. I had a lovely time working with Eddie, a tree surgeon, in Dalkeith near Edinburgh. With the other volunteers we helped felling trees and processing the logs. I was only there during winter but the job can ...
    Julie Bonfait rating4.6

    2019 at Wilderness Conservation Field Researcher

    I wanted to volunteer for the Scottish Wildlife Trust to get a work experience abroad before looking for a job in my country. After only 2 weeks of work, I felt in love with Scotland and decided to stay and find a job there. The landscapes are breathtaking and the people I met at work and during ...
    Having found an awesome opportunity to partake in a husky care taker placement in Canada, I was assisted in organizing the placement by the helpful and (patient!) team at Fronteering. The organization was dedicated to helping me contact and communicate with my host organization. I always felt I ...
    泽宇 张 rating5

    2024 at Wild Takhi Research & Conservation

    The national park is spectacular! We went for an outing every morning for wild Takhi observation every morning. Having a moment in your lifetime in the wild with all the nature surrounding you is probably the most wonderful experience. The accommodation managers and staffs are super helpful and ...
    Chris H rating5

    2024 at Critter Caretaker

    I volunteered at the critter care taker program in Canada in May just 1 month after I turned 18. I was quite nervous and my parents also and so I decided to book through Fronteering instead of trying to arrange it myself. This made it very easy and I felt a lot better. I did travel to Vancouver a ...
    Carol Breen rating5

    2024 at Raptors & Owls Caretaker

    I spent 8 weeks, 5 days a week, 7 hours a day volunteering with this organization. It was so worthwhile! They not only rescue injured raptor, but they rehabilitate as many as possible and get them back to where they were rescued in order to release them in the same place. They have a network of ...

    Location


    You might also be interested in

    Contact Patrick
      Excellent response rate
    Dutch, English, German

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Patrick
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

    Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.