Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
Eucalyptus plantations take up huge amounts of water from the soil, depriving villages of a reliable supply. Furthermore, deforestation and fires are having disastrous effects on natural forests. Without the stabilising influence of trees and roots, soil erosion is further causing disruption to water catchments. Increasing water run-off contributes to local flooding and reduces the purity of drinking water supply. The trees we are planting will not only help to reverse these physical effects, but have been selected to encourage future conservation. Many are medicinal and economic species, or favourable to bees or wildlife. When managed sustainably, this can provide income for local people: vital in a region with few other work opportunities.
Action: Making a difference is precisely what this trip is all about! We're working directly with a locally founded organisation helping them to achieve the things they've identified as of most value within the community. The trip is not an isolated project either, but an integrated part of wider organisational development (training, networking, skills-exchange) we are doing with Greencare helping them to improve their ability to achieve their aims way beyond this, and any of our projects.
Economic: As a not-for-profit charity we seek external support for as much of our own administrative costs as possible effectively subsidising the cost for this holiday. As large a part as possible of your own contribution then covers the direct costs on the ground: accommodation; food; transport and materials, directly supporting the local community and economy. It also includes insurance and the costs of providing project leadership and technical support for the local organisation.
Environmental: The impacts of international travel are well known. As well as providing support for anyone using alternatives to air travel, we're planting five trees and providing ongoing maintenance of these for every booking on this holiday. All tree plantings are integrated into longer-term conservation projects we are involved with in the UK and overseas.
Assurance: We are the UK's largest environmental volunteering charity, with nearly 50 years experience of real practical action to improve the environments that real people live in. All our holidays have trained and experienced leaders with them who work closely with the local partner to ensure the maximum gain, and minimum negative impact of the holiday project, and that your own personal experience is the best it can be. All our holidays are group events, unlike many 'volunteer opportunities', so you can be sure you won't be left without support or direction, and that you'll be surrounded by other like-minded friends.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
