Environmental Conservation in Thailand

Environmental Conservation Volunteering in Thailand

The coral reefs and mangrove swamps on the coast of Thailand are stunning places and they're doing well. They are threatened though. Threatened by fishing, by tourism, by shrimp farms and by climate change. But for now you can still dive and explore them in all their splendor.

Mangroves and coral reefs are part of the same eco-system. Many of the creatures essential to the coral reef start their life-cycles in mangrove swamps. Projects Abroad works in both parts, doing important scientific work on the coral reefs and planting new mangroves - and minimizing human impact on both environments.

One of the biggest changes in Thailand over the last two decades has been the start of mass tourism. It has turned its flora, fauna and natural landscapes into commodities. In some ways this is great because it has made poor fishermen prosperous and the whole poor economy relatively rich. Yet there is always a conflict. Tourists need feeding, so fishermen work twice as hard and their nets get caught and left on the coral reefs. Projects Abroad is cleaning the coral reefs before they get damaged. We are also planting mangrove forests across the devastation left behind by abandoned shrimp farms. We are playing an important part in looking after the colorful world of the coral reef and the fragile world of the mangrove swamp, and not just protecting them but also studying them and researching them, which is important for protecting them in the long term.

Projects Abroad is working closely with Phuket Marine Biological Center and the Krabi Fisheries Department on a variety of conservation work. You can be part of the protection plan for Thai coral reefs by volunteering on the Projects Abroad Diving and Marine Conservation Project that operates in this beautiful region. Projects Abroad also supported the International Year of the Reef during 2008.

Volunteer Evironmental Conservation in Thailand

Join our Conservation & Environment project in Ao Nang and the first thing that you’ll be doing is learning how to scuba dive. We will train you up to the level of Advanced Scuba Diver, helping you to learn the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of diving in the beautifully clear warm waters of the Andaman Sea. This allows you to dive to depths of 30m and participate fully in the underwater conservation work. If you have advanced scuba diving qualification already, you can start on the underwater reef research work straight away and choose to gain the next qualification as a Rescue Diver.

Learn to Scuba Dive We work in partnership with Aqua Vision Dive Center, which employs fully qualified instructors and dive masters. Aqua Vision are a 5* PADI dive center and have been operating in Ao Nang since 1997.

By observing and analyzing reef damage and fish populations, you'll be helping to find the best ways to protect marine life from the dangers of increased tourism and human negligence. The diving is some of the best in the world and you'll have the chance to observe a wide variety of marine life – including turtles, rays, harmless reef sharks and hundreds of species of multicolored tropical fish.

You will be trained using the Reef Check methodology to collect information on the development, deterioration, and overall condition of coral reefs and fish populations in the area. This information forms part of the wider Reef Check International database that is used across the world by experts in the field. Projects Abroad and Reef Check are working toward the same goals: educating the public about the value of reef ecosystems and the current crisis affecting marine life; creating a global network of volunteer teams trained in Reef Check's scientific methods who regularly monitor and report on reef health; facilitating collaboration that produces ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions; and stimulating local community action to protect the remainin g pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide.

Collecting glass bottles in the mangroves

Unfortunately, the water around the reefs contains large volumes of litter discarded from fishing and diving boats and our volunteers collect waste materials on salvage dives and dispose of it correctly once back on land.

In addition to our coral reef monitoring and salvage recovery work, our conservation program also involves some very important land-based activities that are vital to conserving the coastal ecosystems of the region.

We undertake beach clean-ups, often in conjunction with local schools, to ensure that these areas – some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – remain pristine.

We also replant mangrove forests. Mangrove forests are among the most productive and bio-diverse wetlands on earth, yet these unique coastal forests are among the most threatened habitats. They may be disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests and, so far, with little public notice. Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. Help is needed to monitor the mangrove forests in Krabi province to prevent further destruction and assist with reforestation projects in this beautiful yet fragile area of Thailand.

Environmental Conservation Volunteer Work in Thailand

A work schedule is established each week so you know what is happening and when. The schedule varies, depending on the time of year, the weather, and the number of volunteers on the project.

Mangrove reforestation work The work can be physically demanding and the days often start early to avoid the heat of the sun. Volunteers normally work five days a week, so you will have two days off to relax, travel, or get involved in some of the many other activities the area offers. We try and give you the weekends off, but occasionally this may change due to the weather conditions or tide times. It is important to be committed to all work aspects of the project.

The volunteer accommodation is located in Ao Nam Mao just south of Ao Nang, about ten minutes’ drive from the center of town. We provide transport to take volunteers to-and-from the work sites. To get into the town center in your free time it is easy to hire a tuk tuk.

You'll live in basic wooden bungalows just off the beach, shared with up to three other Projects Abroad conservation volunteers. Each bungalow has its own private bathroom. The rooms are cleaned regularly and have electricity and hot running water.

Meals are provided in a communal restaurant area. On days when you are out all day diving or working at a mangrove site, lunch will be provided on the boat, at the work site, or a packed lunch may be taken.

Sea Turtle on Conservation Project in Thailand상기 프로젝트는 한달 이내 참가가 가능한 프로그램입니다. 한달 이내 프로그램은 자원봉사자나 지역사회 모두에게 짧은 기간이지만 적합한 활동으로 현지 스텝들이 판단한 프로그램입니다. 다만 짧은 기간 참여를 통해 지역사회에서 열정적으로 활동하면서 가치있는 문화적 식견을 얻을 수 있긴 하지만 긴 기간동안 자원봉사 활동에 참여하는 친구들과 지역사회에 똑같은 영향을 줄 수는 없다는 점은 고려하세요.

Volunteers joining the Conservation Project for two weeks should arrive in Krabi on a Saturday or Sunday. As a two week volunteer you will receive one dive course and your role in some of the diving activities after completing the course may be limited to observation and assisting the longer term volunteers. It is also important to remember that the amount of diving available over a two week period can be affected by bad weather.

“The Projects Abroad staff here has been working for years in conjunction with Thailand Marine National Parks, and has a superb understanding of the local ecosystem. This means the volunteers quickly understand the needs of the area and can make an active difference, which for me has been very satisfying. In addition, the spectacular marine life here has made diving a bit of an addiction!”Liam Farncombe – Conservation Volunteer in Thailand

For more information, please visit our Volunteer Conservation in Thailand project website.