environmental volunteering essay

Benefits of Environmental Volunteering

Stephen Knight
Volunteering

Different people give different reasons for wanting to get involved in environmental volunteering overseas. For some the desire to help the causes they believe in or feel passionate about is the main reason. Others do it because they would like more excitement and adventure in their lives. For others it is a good way of gaining valuable work experience to help them get a full-time job when they return home.

The fact is, almost any reason that motivates you to want to become an environmental volunteer is worthwhile. You don’t even have to have a definite reason as long as you are genuinely interested in what the organisation is striving to achieve, and want to work for a good cause.

Latin America has some of the greatest need for environmental volunteers in the world. Sympathy for the environment is tempered throughout much of Central and South America by the pragmatics of poverty and overpopulation. Economic pressures in many countries where population growth is high have promoted deforestation, for instance, as a means of reducing unemployment and enhancing government revenues. Hence, there is generally very little government help for environmental organisations and the projects which they manage. As a result, a large number of environmental organisations rely on international volunteers to assist them in their work and to provide financial support. Your contribution as an environmental volunteer could help ensure the long-term survival of a tropical rainforest or an endangered species. This is because you are actively participating in the conservation of that area or species.

Your participation as an environmental volunteer can also make an indirect impact. Firstly, by means of the revenue generated by volunteers entering the local economy. For example, we once worked on a sea turtle conservation project in Costa Rica where all the volunteers paid for board and lodging with local families. Local community involvement was a priority of the project. In this way, reminiscent of ecotourism, volunteers provided an economic incentive to local people to continue to conserve the area and not poach the turtle eggs. Secondly, as an international volunteer you may have the chance to participate in environmental education efforts with members of the local community, including school children. It is impossible to overstate how important education is in considering the future of conservation. In reality, our most realistic hope to conserve the full biodiversity of the Latin American ecosystems.

Environmental volunteering overseas is the ultimate form of 'travel with a purpose' while providing the opportunity to meet new people and accumulate life and career enhancing experiences and skills. Here are a range of benefits to consider.

You will learn new and useful skills
You will gain practical experience in the field
You will have the opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills
You have the opportunity to explore a career, or develop a career by finding a volunteer position in your field of study
Volunteer work experience will impress future employers. Your CV will demonstrate that you are flexible and committed to a cause or belief
You will get a chance to do things you would never do in a regular job
You will have the opportunity to work in countries you may not otherwise have a chance to visit
You will feel personal satisfaction from helping others achieve their objectives
Volunteering will keep you fit and improve your overall health
Volunteering often leads to greater culture sensitivity and cross-cultural learning experiences
You will make new friends and meet other likeminded individuals
You will have the opportunity to learn a new language or improve your current language skills
Volunteering overseas gives your travels a purpose and an itinerary
You will have the chance to delve into new foods, music and textiles
You could experience unspoilt nature and see great wildlife spectacles
You participate in the very project that your money is supporting
Volunteering allows local people to earn a living from areas that have been set aside for ecological protection
Volunteering for the environment increases the emotional bond between us and nature
Volunteering encourages personal development
There are few travel experiences that are cheaper than volunteering overseas

Naim Pollozhani Added 30th December 2021

We should save the planet if we want to survive.

Serenity Fox Added 21st January 2021

This is very handy for research.

Chloe Chiara Added 26th August 2020

Can I know when was this article published?

Stephen Knight Responded on 27th August 2020

The article was published on the 25 March, 2015.

Kristy Boughn Added 02nd April 2015

I want to know that how can I get involved in environmental volunteerism? Because I truly believe that I could be a very good environmental volunteer.

Stephen Knight Responded on 04th April 2015

It is fairly straightforward to get involved in environmental volunteering. With regards to our website, search for projects that interest you and then contact them directly through our messaging system.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Experience / Volunteering

Volunteering Essay Examples

An essay on volunteering serves as a platform to explore the selfless act of contributing time, skills, and effort for the betterment of others and the community. The purpose of such an essay is to highlight the meaningful impact of volunteering, showcase the values it fosters, and inspire readers to engage in acts of service. Essays on volunteering emphasize the importance of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility, while also addressing the personal growth and fulfillment that volunteers experience. Promotion of Social Good One of the primary goals of an essay on volunteering is to promote the concept of social good and community welfare. These essays shed light on the positive change that volunteers bring to various social, environmental, and humanitarian causes, showcasing the power of collective action. Essays about volunteering emphasize the values of empathy and compassion that underlie acts of service. They encourage readers to step into the shoes of others, understand their challenges, and offer assistance to alleviate their hardships. Volunteering essay examples aim to inspire readers to take action and become active participants in their communities. These essays showcase how even small contributions can make a significant difference, encouraging readers to get involved and contribute their skills and time to causes they care about. Structure of an Essay on Volunteering:

Introduction: Begin with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic of volunteering and provides context for its significance. Thesis Statement: Include a clear thesis statement that outlines the main points you will address in the essay. Body Paragraphs: Divide the body of the essay into paragraphs that discuss different aspects of volunteering. This could include personal experiences, benefits of volunteering, impact on the community, and the values it fosters. Real-Life Examples: Include specific examples of volunteer work or organizations to illustrate your points. Personal Reflection: Share your personal reflections on the impact of volunteering, whether you’ve volunteered yourself or witnessed its effects. Encouragement and Call to Action: Conclude the essay by encouraging readers to consider volunteering and offering suggestions for getting involved.

An essay about volunteering serves as a reminder of the positive impact that individuals can have on society by giving back. By discussing the values, benefits, and personal growth associated with volunteering, these essays motivate readers to engage in acts of service that contribute to a more compassionate and harmonious world.

Why I Want to Volunteer: a Commitment to Giving Back

Volunteering is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the lives of others and contribute to the well-being of communities. It is a selfless act that not only benefits those in need but also enriches the lives of volunteers. Exploring the question of...

Reasons Why Volunteering is Important in Australian Sport

One of the last persuasive speeches on volunteering which I have heard was about the urgent importance of voluntary work these years as it has an important input in society, letting many organizations, to meet the demand for their services. Volunteers are the backbone of...

Volunteering at a Hospital: a Journey of Compassion and Contribution

Volunteering at a hospital is a unique and rewarding experience that offers insights into the healthcare field while allowing individuals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families. This essay explores the significance of volunteering at a hospital, highlighting the...

The Motivators and Barriers for Blood Donation Amongst Male and Female Donors

A suitable blood supply relies on individual who are volunteer non-rewarded donors. In this paper, we would determine the selection and retaining sufficient normal voluntary non-rewarded blood benefactors the motivators and hindrances behind them should also be comprehended. Likewise, with fast increment in the use...

Formal Volunteering as a Protective Factor for Older Adults’ Psychological Well-being

Volunteering not only helps strengthen communities, but also promotes individual well-being. More specifically, volunteering among the geriatric community has been shown to yield a greater benefit than that of the younger population regarding emotional, psychological, and physical health. The study I will be analyzing asserts...

Personal Report on Volunteering at Dorothy Children’s Home

The USIU-A educational experience is pitched on helping the community as its major stronghold; building a culture and a community that both reflects and fosters togetherness, and demonstrate progress towards measurable community goals. This is done by ensuring that all students do community service in...

Fostering Team Bonding Through Corporate Volunteering Abroad

The effects of volunteerism on employees is well documented. So why not blend your next team-building effort with community outreach and volunteer efforts? Better yet, do it overseas! Volunteering overseas is a life-changing experience that can benefit the volunteer as much as it does the...

Cultural Development Through Acts of Kindness and Good Deeds

Many positive influences in society today have contributed to the development of a sustainable environment. Through multiple acts of altruism and teamwork, this has remained a possibility. Positive influences and human characteristics can both be developed through good deeds such as community services or mission...

An All-volunteer Force as the Better Alternative to Compulsory Military Service

“If a country cannot save itself through the volunteer service of its own free people, then I say: Let the damned thing go down the drain!”, once said Robert A. Heinlein at the 29th World Science Fiction Convention’s Honor Speech. In the last century, there...

The Main Skills I Acquired During My Time Volunteering

One of my weaknesses is working and collaborating in teams when working on various projects and/or assignments. In the past, there have been times, whether in school or on the job, where I have not collaborated with my team members as much when working on...

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About Volunteering

A volunteer is someone who does work without being paid for it, because they want to do it. Volunteering is an act of an individual or group freely giving time and labour for community service.

Formal. Governance. Non-formal. Social action. Project based.

Volunteering is important as it offers essential help to worthwhile causes, people in need, and the wider community. Volunteering combats depression, and helps stay physically healthy.

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