As climate change continues to make headlines and people look for ways to minimize their carbon footprint, more travelers are embracing the concept of volunteer tourism. These guided experiences go beyond sustainable travel practices and allow you to play an active role in restoring, or “rewilding,” the natural environment while visiting incredible destinations.
What is volunteer tourism?
Volunteer tourism offers the opportunity to contribute to local conservation efforts and community-based environmental projects while traveling. That might mean tracking wildlife with researchers, building trails in a national park, clearing “ghost gear” from coastal waters (more on that later), or replanting fire-damaged forests. Some volunteer vacations stretch over a period of days and include camping or lodging. Other experiences last only a day or over an afternoon.
Many of these volunteer vacations are set against the backdrop of some of the most precious natural landscapes in the world. Ready to get rewilding? Check out these excursions, tours, and trips for your next volunteer vacation.
Trails and public lands
For travelers who enjoy epic views and don’t mind getting their hands dirty, a volunteer tourism experience in a state or national park might be the ticket. From clearing trails and planting native trees to restoring winter recreation areas, these projects invite you to give back while exploring our country’s public lands.
American Hiking Society, multiple locations
For more than 50 years, American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations have connected outdoor lovers with meaningful hiking trail work across the country — even in places like the U.S. Virgin Islands. Projects range from building footbridges to restoring native ecosystems. Participants receive full support, including meals, gear, and accommodations, from backcountry campsites to cozy bunkhouses. While technical experience isn’t required for these trips, participants should be in good physical health. To help you choose your adventure, Volunteer Vacations are rated either easy, moderate, or strenuous.
Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Estes Park, Colorado
In Rocky Mountain National Park, volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy help with trail restoration, invasive plant removal, and post-wildfire reforestation. Youth and group opportunities are available year-round.
Wisconsin State Park System
The Wisconsin State Park System offers statewide volunteer roles in trail work, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration. Volunteers also support public programs and special events.
Also consider: Save the Redwoods League invites volunteers to help restore California’s iconic forests.
Marine and freshwater ecosystems
For those drawn to the water, volunteer tourism offers a chance to get your feet wet while preserving coastal and aquatic habitats. From removing abandoned crab traps (known as “ghost traps”) in the Gulf to releasing turtle hatchlings under a moonlit sky, these programs let you dive into conservation — sometimes quite literally.
SEE Turtles, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica
SEE Turtles offers adventure-driven volunteer vacations where participants play a hands-on role in protecting endangered sea turtles at nesting beaches in Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica. Volunteers join local biologists to patrol beaches at night, collect data on nesting turtles, relocate eggs to hatcheries, and release hatchlings once they emerge. Some trips also include beach cleanups and light habitat restoration work. All training is provided on-site. Alongside the conservation work, volunteers can take part in nature walks, cultural activities, and coastal exploration.
University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas
Every winter, thousands of abandoned crab traps are left behind in Texas bays. These traps pose a silent threat to marine life. Through the University of Texas Marine Science Institute’s Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, volunteers help remove these ghost traps, which can continue to capture fish, turtles, and crabs long after they’ve been forgotten.
10,000 Islands Dolphin Project, Marco Island, Florida
Climb aboard the Dolphin Explorer in Southwest Florida and become a citizen scientist. Guests assist with identifying and tracking bottlenose dolphins as part of the long-running 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project. It’s a family-friendly way to support marine research while spotting dolphins in their natural habitat.
Also consider: Discover Cayuga Lake in New York invites volunteers to embark on lake-monitoring cruises, where participants learn to assist with activities like plankton sampling and water clarity analysis.
Wildlife, science, and biodiversity
From cranes gliding over prairie wetlands to owls nesting in mountain forests, every ecosystem tells a story. These volunteer tourism programs invite travelers to step into that story and support biodiversity, scientific research, and the long-term health of wildlife habitats across North America and the world.
Earthwatch, multiple locations
Earthwatch conservation expeditions place volunteers alongside scientists on research projects around the world. From restoring coral reefs in Bali to tracking elephants in Kenya or studying climate change in the Canadian Arctic, these immersive experiences allow you to participate in meaningful environmental research. Participants pay to participate. The fee covers things like food, lodging, local transportation, and research permits and equipment. Many trips include cultural exchanges and guided outdoor activities, making them ideal for solo travelers or families.
Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Albany, New Hampshire
At the foothills of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Tin Mountain offers trail maintenance, citizen science, and wildlife monitoring programs ideal for nature lovers of all ages. Volunteers contribute to forest health initiatives and hands-on learning in a region known for its biodiversity.
Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon, Nebraska
Located along the Platte River, Rowe Sanctuary is best known for its spring sandhill crane migration. Volunteers assist with habitat maintenance and support environmental education programs that connect visitors to one of the most spectacular birding events in the world.
Also consider: Kiawah River + Coastal Expeditions in South Carolina offers creek cleanups and sustainable farm experiences.
American Prairie, Montana
American Prairie offers several hands-on ways to support one of North America’s most ambitious grassland restoration projects. Volunteers might monitor bison calves, distribute medicated grain to protect prairie dog colonies, or help remove fencing to improve wildlife movement. For those who can’t travel, a virtual Cameras for Conservation program lets participants identify prairie wildlife via trail cameras.
Some field-based projects include a few meals, plus basic lodging or camping. Each volunteer vacation is different. However, all experiences offer training, tools, and unforgettable access to remote, wild landscapes. Whether on-site or online, volunteers become an essential part of restoring this vast, iconic ecosystem.
Owasco Flats amphibian crossing, Finger Lakes, New York
Each spring, volunteers don headlamps and gloves to help salamanders and other amphibians safely cross Route 38 on their way to breeding grounds. Coordinated by Friends of Owasco Flats, this community-driven effort helps prevent mass amphibian die-offs and contributes to long-term ecological monitoring.
reTURN the Favor, The Wetlands Institute, Delaware Bay, New Jersey
During spawning season (May to July), reTURN the Favor volunteers assist with organized beach walks to rescue overturned horseshoe crabs. These living fossils are critical to coastal ecosystems. Since 2013, more than 1 million crabs have been saved, with participants logging thousands of hours each year in support of this vital species.
Also consider: Port Aransas Nature Preserve in Texas offers invasive species removal and habitat restoration work, while Beaches Go Green in Florida engages volunteers in ocean-focused environmental education and cleanups.
Resort stays with a purpose
Volunteer tourism doesn’t always require hiking boots and headlamps. As volunteer tourism becomes more mainstream, a growing number of resorts are offering programs that blend relaxation with meaningful conservation efforts. These experiences invite guests to learn, participate, and give back — whether that’s helping to restore coral reefs, protect wildlife, or support local sustainability initiatives.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives, Manta Ray Conservation Program, Maldives
At this tropical island resort, guests can do more than lounge by the water — they can help protect it. In partnership with the Manta Trust, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru offers hands-on opportunities to identify manta rays, support coral nursery efforts, and contribute to ongoing marine research.
Participants assist marine biologists with photo ID work, reef monitoring, and more. It’s a luxurious setting with a conservation-focused mission, perfect for travelers who want their time off to mean something more.
Also consider: Join beach cleanups and turtle patrols at Marriott’s Grande Ocean in South Carolina or help out in coral nurseries with the Sandals Foundation in St. Lucia.
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