Whale & Dolphin Conservation Programme TenerifeClick here to see the Tenerife Update Summer 2013
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Volunteer on the whale watching boats with time free to develop your own dreams. The core volunteer programme will run throughout the year from the research station in Arona. This facility is a charming old Canarian farmhouse which can accommodate up to twenty or so people. Volunteers will work as research guides on the whale watching boats three or so days per week and spend the rest of the time in the research room assisting where their skills lend best, see below. Weekends are free to engage in a range of activities or to explore the extraordinary island of Tenerife. We have a strong expectation of volunteers and their attitude. There are no fixed start dates on this programme, join when convenient to you. |
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Our core goal is to raise awareness of conservation threats facing our planet and ways in which any individual or small group can make a real difference through supporting one of the huge number of projects around the world trying to save our nature. We want volunteers committed to wanting to make the world a better place and preferably with ideas of specific projects/ species they would like to support. In an ideal situation volunteers coming here will be able to travel on to other projects having prepared the groundwork whilst here and we will encourage them all the way.
We only want volunteers with a positive attitude.
Anybody is welcome as a volunteer as long as they are hardworking, positive and committed to making a difference.
Skill sets of particular use are as follows:
We only want volunteers with a positive attitude.
Anybody is welcome as a volunteer as long as they are hardworking, positive and committed to making a difference.
Skill sets of particular use are as follows:
Research: (Biology Zoology Animal Management)
We have three core databases going back twelve years - Resident Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, and Migrating species. The Databases are photo identification centred with a wide range of behavioural, weather and boat impact variables based on the Tethys Institute scientific report on cetacean research.
Download the Research Document here
(right click and "save target as")
(right click and "save target as")
Film Making:
We need budding film makers to create and assist in producing film footage of individual projects around the world. Linking ordinary people to ordinary people. They will be encouraged to go travel to secure original footage and whilst in Tenerife (they could go direct) they will be supported in fund raising initiatives to help fund their travels and the projects they wish to support.
Photography:
Photographs are as powerful as films in getting attention and inspiring action.
Graphic Design:
Key areas of work are in producing materials to promote specific projects to potential sponsors and their clients. They will be deployed in creating merchandising materials for these projects and in designing hard-hitting conservation materials for different target groups.
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Animation:
In the summer in Tenerife July and August there is massive capacity to use the dolphin gang to entertain children, raise awareness of conservation issues through specialist educational programmes and fundraise, getting children from all over Europe directly involved. This needs volunteers with an excess of energy- preferably without the use of stimulants.
Conservation Management:
We are building capacity, particularly in marketing, communication, research and fundraising with key projects across the world and need to manage these relationships.
Strategic Managment:
Selling conservation is no different to selling any other product, it requires the same business skills - marketing, sales, operations, financing… AND, conservation is in a highly competitive environment competing for limited funds AND the corporate and public sectors have vested interests in being associated with the environment, in community initiatives and in youth empowerment programmes. These are intriguing business situations needing a specialist management way of thinking.
Internet Marketing/Sales:
For the first time ever ordinary people are able to join together globally to make things happen, no longer hampered by the excesses of politicians- and the internet is responsible for this. This is the world of cyberspace and to operate effectively in it requires specialist knowledge.
Education:
We need educationalists to develop educational materials
at all levels using the global conservation knowledge we have at our
disposal so as to inspire people to get involved and take action. Our core
markets are internet based to schools, colleges and universities around
the world but also workshop based with real children here in Tenerife. |
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Fundraising:
Its the name of the game! Fundraising is what funds
conservation but from a different perspective it is the value that an
organization places on conservation. The task is to maximize this value
in the eyes of the funders. This is a key skill and volunteers in
this area will take on individual projects/species to maximize value and
fund raising capacity.
PR Communication:
We need to shout our corner and that of all the projects we support and this is the vital function of Public Relations. Search for Global Warming on Google and up will pop pages of dismissive accounts from various consulting groups- look again at who funds these groups and you will see the same names, vested interests against any measures to do anything about the issue and all for commercial gain. Its wrong but to get this needs active and e active Public Relations.
Creative Writing:
We need to articulate conservation issues, to drive home the critical needs of particular species or projects in ways which inspire people to take action. We are not here to record the passing of history but rather to shape its future and this needs writers of passion and understanding, people with insight and vision.
Weekend Activities
Tenerife is an extraordinary island, stunningly beautiful and with a strong south American culture uninterrupted by the tourism developments of the south. Volunteers must see it. There are also a huge number of educational activities that you can engage in, most at heavily discounted prices for our volunteers.
Seeing the island by bus- cheap, exciting, simple and a sense of adventure. What to do and see on Tenerife: Surfboarding courses, wind surf courses, diving courses, power boat, skippering, life guard courses, Spanish lessons, salsa dancing, water skiing, horse riding, jet skiing, dragon boat racing, marine filming, marine photography and walking. Download the factsheet here
(right click and "save target as") |
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Accommodation in Arona
Accommodation is provided in the research station itself, 3-4 people in a room (more if we are busy), and in surrounding properties. Breakfast and evening meals are provided and prepared by volunteers on a rota basis as are cleaning duties. Lunches are inexpensive and if on site people can raid the kitchens and put 1 Euro into a kitty to be used for treats.
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A contribution is expected Pounds/ Euros 110 per week for stays of at least four weeks. For shorter stays the contribution is Pounds/ Euro 150pw for 3 weeks and Pounds/ Euro 200 for stays of 1-2 weeks. Some colleges and universities have negotiated long stay rates - please consult edb@whalenation.org. There is an additional charge of Pounds 30 to cover T Shirt and Induction materials. THIS IS ALL GREAT FUN, REWARDING AND LIFE ENHANCING!!!!!
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