This month, I was casually scrolling through Facebook when I suddenly came across some truly amazing photographs. A girl had posted pictures of her recent trip to Thailand, many of which included elephants with an organization called EarthWatch.
In the photos, she was riding and hugging elephants, even receiving adorable elephant kisses. I instantly wondered where in Thailand she had gone and how I could also play with these very cute creatures. I found that her travel experience, however, was much more compelling because it was environmentally driven.
She had traveled through a program called EarthWatch, where she worked with researchers to study elephants’ behavior and cognition. EarthWatch has many programs located all over the globe that involve scientific research. According to its website, the organization’s mission is to engage “people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.” EarthWatch takes traveling to a fresh and different level because it gives individuals a chance to participate in something larger than themselves. Moreover, EarthWatch offers an endless amount of programs for teens, educators, and anyone who has an interest in helping the environment.
These expeditions that occur around the world certainly sound like once in a lifetime trips. On the EarthWatch website, you can look up adventures based on region and what type of research you are interested in. The research topics include archeology and culture, climate change, ocean health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Within these categories, trips also vary both in type and location. Some of the programs that caught my eye include studying koalas in Australia, researching African wildlife, and participating in an archeological dig in Thailand. What I especially like about EarthWatch is that anyone who is interested in the research can participate. Payment is required to embark on these adventures, but the costs do range in price.
EarthWatch is a unique organization that raises money for environmental research. I am drawn to their programs simply because I am not a scientist. I think it would be fun to live a week in someone else’s shoes, while also participating in a program that gives back to the wonderful world we are all a part of.
