ZEITGEIST: Benefits Associated With Joining an Environmental Group?

By Lisa A Mason

The concern over the condition of our planet is growing all the time. People all over the world are searching for ways to make a difference. Perhaps you've remodeled your home to make it more eco-friendly or maybe you walk as much as possible instead of driving.

Everything you do to conserve energy does reduce the carbon footprint that you leave behind. However, if you're searching for a more dramatic way to make an impression, then consider joining an environmental group.

If this is something that you haven't thought much about in the past then you may be wondering, what benefits are associated with joining an environmental group? The fact is that joining an environmental group can help to make major differences. There truly is strength in numbers and when you join a group, you're increasing the number of people that make a stand each time you take on a new task.

Another advantage would be having the opportunity to be with others that share an interest in the same things that you do. It's a great way to help educate others on different issues concerning the environment. It also provides you with one of the best ways to help protect the planet and its natural resources.

Joining an environmental group is easy. All you have to do is search for the one that suits you and your personality the best. There are many different types of groups available in which you can be a part of. Some of them get their point across by taking action through protesting and rallies while others use letters and lawyers. There is a group for just about any type of environmental issue that you can think of.

It's recommended that you choose a group that addresses the issues that you're the most passionate about. This way, you'll truly have an interest in the group and you'll make more of an effort to support them. Once you choose the group you want to be a part of, contact them to find out what steps need to be taken to become a member. You may even want to go to a few meetings before you make your final decision. Once you're sure you've found the right environmental group, you're ready to sign up.

Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company, public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website.

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CONSERVATION: Turtle Conservation

By Mark Bottell

The turtle is a creature with widespread appeal. It is seemingly peaceful and graceful in the water, slow and charmingly ungainly on land. It is always a treat for scuba divers when they encounter a turtle around reefs or swimming in the open sea.

The sad truth for wildlife conservation is that many turtle species are struggling to survive in the wild as their habitats are disrupted by human activity. The better known Loggerhead and Green turtle species are endangered, with many lesser known species critically endangered. Some, like the black soft shell turtle, are already extinct in the wild.

Turtles in Goa

An example of the animal conservation work being done to counter this is a turtle preservation programme in Goa, where wildlife conservation activists at the Turtle Protection Centre have reported that thirty five turtle nests have declined to just seven over the last ten years.

Nesting sites are where turtles are particularly vulnerable because newborn turtles must brave the short but difficult route from the nest to the ocean, and because the sites suitable for nesting are themselves declining in number. Accordingly the focus of animal conservation work is protecting these nesting sites. Only around one in a thousand of newborn turtles will grow to become adults, which means succeeding generations are dwindling in size.

Encroaching Tourism

Goa is a prime example of a place where tourism is having a negative effect on turtle populations. As the area develops to enhance the capacity for the tourist industry, the turtle's natural territory is reduced. Furthermore, with increasing visitors to the area, the turtles suffer disruption on beaches that were previously peaceful enough for them to settle.

Part of the wildlife conservation effort in Goa involves guarding nesting grounds where pregnant turtles and their young are most vulnerable. If this kind of work appeals to you, you might be interested to hear that you can take part in animal conservation work of this type as part of a gap year for adults trip.

Light Pollution

Light pollution is traditionally a concern for nocturnal animals, but it can be critical in the lives of turtles, too. The timing of hatchings often coincides with a full moon, because the newborns instinctively head towards the light to reach the sea. As a result, newborn baby turtles can be confused by street lights and houses, which cause them to head away from the sea when they should be crawling towards the relative safety of the water. On a gap year for adults wildlife conservation project, you will take part in campaigns to educate locals about ways to reduce the impact of artificial light on the turtles.

Litter

The litter created by tourists or careless locals is often mistaken by turtles as food. Plastic is especially hazardous because it cannot be digested and it resembles the favourite food of turtles: the jellyfish. This means that turtles are often found starved to death with plastic coating their stomachs. Wildlife conservation schemes usually involve collecting rubbish from areas of beach near turtle nesting sites.

On gap year for adults trip of this kind in Goa, you get to enjoy the beauty of the local environment while helping the efforts of a conservation project to preserve it.

Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks focusing on wildlife conservation and various adventurous gap years for adults.

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