Living in the rainforests of Siberut off the coast of Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia is a small society of indigenous people, the Mentawai. Keeping the world as they know it is the goal of the Mentawai Cultural Ecotourism Association (MCEA). The tribal elders are teaching the young Mentawai how to better understand, respect and appreciate their own culture, which has been under attack for years and is in danger of disappearing.
By learning about their ancient cultures the Metawai become better tourist guides, being able to provide tourists with a understanding of this indigenous culture. The Native Planet organization is helping to empower their society by developing a global and cultural tourism strategy to implement sustainable economic alternatives; make the world aware of the Mentawai culture; secure international support; and in addition develop a managed tourism plan.
Native Planet has introduced some unique volunteer opportunities by offering volunteer bicycling adventures to raise funds. Through ride4areason.org they offer exciting bicycling adventures. The Native Planet Classic, is held in the breathtaking North Cascades available for both cyclists and non-cyclists. The pledges raised during this bicycling adventure provides more than 75% of the funding for on-site malaria control and other projects in Indonesia. Bicycling tours are also available in France, all benefiting Native Planet and indigenous peoples. Read more »
Volunteer your time to give back to the park trails you love. Spend a week working on trails in spectacular national parks, forests and other public lands across America. Choose from amongst a 4, 7, or 10 day adventure. You’ll join a trail crew of 6 to 15 volunteers who share your passion for keeping the trails open, safe and enjoyable. Bring your own gear, get really dirty, and meet other wonderful volunteers while exploring America’s wildlands. Read more »
Grand Canyon Trust offers free volunteer vacations at the Grand Canyon. The Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the United States. The Grand Canyon is located in the northwestern area of Arizona, and is impressive for its deep canyon, unusual and rugged landscape, and the abundance of native animals.
ABOUT LEVI
Levi Hastings, a 10-year-old from Phoenix found out about National Public Lands Day from Junior National Geographic magazine and convinced his mom to let him sign up for a project with the Grand Canyon Trust that he found on the web. Neither of them had ever gone camping before, but his mom Theresa was excited to provide new experiences for her son and was enthusiastic about the unknown adventure herself. They were among 10 other volunteers who traveled to the west side of the Kaibab Plateau just north of the Grand Canyon National Park to help plant native seeds that will eventually improve winter forage for the mule deer.
Theresa and Levi deepened their new connection to the Colorado Plateau by returning again this year. Levi initiated a recycling program at his home and reminds his family about resource conservation. The trips have made a difference in the lives of these wonderful volunteers and we can’t thank them enough. The Grand Canyon Trust Volunteer Program is proud to provide these opportunities to a great community of dedicated volunteers: first-timers and veterans alike. Read more »
Through a wonderful quirk of fate I’ve made a wonderful friend in Morocco, Mohamed Elhansali. We’ve been talking on and off for about a year or so.
Mohamed lives in Boulaouane, a small Berber village located at the foothills of the Atlas mountains in Seksaouua valley, 4 Km from Imintanoute, about midway between Marrakech and Agadir.
Mohamed owns and manages the Berber Culture Center (BCC) and graciously welcomes guests and volunteers to this modern Center. The BCC’s exterior is constructed with ancient adobe, and its beautiful interior décor and artifacts will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Inside the Center is a courtyard, there are eight bedrooms for volunteers and/or guests, a kitchen, a carpeted dining room strewn with pillows where you sit to eat delicious meals.
Mohamed has 12 years of experience leading outdoor adventures and is an enthusiastic cultural conservationist. He envisioned a way to support his native village by inviting volunteers and guests to live at the Berber Center while experiencing “A Day in the life of a Berber.” This hands on experience shows what life is really like for the Amazigh (berber) culture. You’ll get involved with village life from drawing water from the well on a donkey to cooking food, helping with a harvest, milking goats, weaving a rug, or participating in a tea-making contest.
The staff at the BCC provide guests with quality experiences that cultivate both intrigue and cultural understanding of native Morocco. Visitors can rely on years of experience in hospitality, event hosting, and an array of activities from day trips to an extended stay.
I look forward to the day when I meet Mohamed personally and volunteer to help in his village.
The American Hiking Society has entered into the Volunteer Vacation business by offering a series of week long trail steward volunteer projects in diverse locations around the country, from the pristine beaches of the Pacific Northwest to the towering Rocky Mountains, from the glorious Great Lakes to the Southeast wetlands.
You’ll join a crew of 6 to 15 volunteers with a crew leader, and all you have to do is to bring your own gear, and a willingness to get dirty. You won’t be living high on the hog in upper end hotels, but in campsites, bunkhouses, or cabins. You can also get a group of like-minded friends and/or family to create your own hiking crew.
Just imagine the fun of this nontraditional vacation – you and your fellow crew members will Read more »
Living in the rainforests of Siberut off the coast of Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia is a small society of indigenous people, the Mentawai. Keeping the world as they know it is the goal of the Mentawai Cultural Ecotourism Association (MCEA). The tribal elders are teaching the young Mentawai how to better understand, respect and appreciate their own culture, which has been under attack for years and is in danger of disappearing.
better tourist guides, being able to provide tourists with a understanding of this indigenous culture. The Native Planet organization is helping to empower their society by developing a global and cultural tourism strategy to implement sustainable economic alternatives; make the world aware of the Mentawai culture; secure international support; and in addition develop a managed tourism plan.
Volunteer your time to give back to the park trails you love. Spend a week working on trails in spectacular national parks, forests and other public lands across America. Choose from amongst a 4, 7, or 10 day adventure. You’ll join a trail crew of 6 to 15 volunteers who share your passion for keeping the trails open, safe and enjoyable. Bring your own gear, get really dirty, and meet other wonderful volunteers while exploring America’s wildlands. 
Mohamed owns and manages the 
and is an enthusiastic cultural conservationist. He envisioned a way to support his native village by inviting volunteers and guests to live at the Berber Center while experiencing “A Day in the life of a Berber.” This hands on experience shows what life is really like for the Amazigh (berber) culture. You’ll get involved with village life from drawing water from the well on a donkey to cooking food, helping with a harvest, milking goats, weaving a rug, or participating in a tea-making contest.
The 