Snow leopard conservation volunteer work, Altai

The expeditions make research and conservation projects a reality in countries where funding for such projects is hard to obtain. Professor Yuri Malkov knows more than anyone else about the animals roaming these impressive hills. With a library of publications to his credit, he is now fighting for the establishment of a reserve in the area in an effort to protect this unique and remote habitat in the middle of nowhere. "But lack of money and people are always a problem", he says. "No one really knows how many and what kind of animals live in these mountains.

We know there are lots, but we need hard data to support our arguments for the creation of a reserve. We struggle to find the funding for such expeditions and people to help us with this labour-intensive work of finding animals and documenting their presence". "I am thoroughly looking forward to this expedition. To meeting all these people who are prepared to put in time and money to a cause that is so important for us.", says Professor Malkov.

First of all, please note that this operator has won multiple awards that show its committment to conservation and the environment. Two of the most prominent awards are "Best Volunteering Organisation" at the 2006 Responsible Tourism Awards and higly commended for "Best for Conservation of Endangered Species" at the 2007 awards. See http://www.responsibletourismawards.com for more details.

The operator is committed to running real wildlife conservation research expeditions to all corners of the Earth and says "Our projects are not tours, photographic safaris or excursions but genuine research expeditions, promoting sustainable conservation and preservation of the planet's wildlife by forging alliances between scientists and the public.

Our goal is to make, through our expedition work, an active contribution towards a sustainable biosphere. We believe in empowering ordinary people by placing them at the centre of scientific study and by actively involving them out in the field, where there is conservation work to be done.

We always work in close conjunction with local people and scientists and try our best to ensure that the fruits of our expedition work benefit our local helpers, their society and the environment they live in. Adventure, remote locations, different cultures and people are part and parcel of our expeditions, but also the knowledge that you will have played an active role in conserving part of our planet's biosphere.

We exist for those who, through their hands-on work, want to make a difference to the survival of the particular species or habitat under investigation, and to the world at large. We invite everyone to come and join us out in the field, at the forefront of conservation, to work, learn, experience and take responsible guardianship of our biosphere.

To achieve this we will wherever possible:

collaborate with reputable scientists, research institutions and educational establishments (wherever possible from the host nation) who are experts in their field

collaborate with organisations and businesses which operate in an ethical and/or sustainable way

operate in an ethical and sustainable way, minimising negative impacts on local cultures, environments and economies

publish results and recommendations based on collaborative work together with those who helped gather data and draw conclusions.