Nature and environmental protection abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is nature and environmental protection?

• Working in nature and the environment protection abroad means committing to protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems and natural resources.
• The protection can take place in remote nature reserves, but also in cities, research institutions, or in collaboration with local communities.
• The core of working in the nature and environmental protection is finding a balance between humans and nature.
• You can focus for example on protecting endangered species, restoring damaged ecosystems, or supporting more sustainable ways of living and producing.

As a nature and environmental protection worker tasks and responsibilities can include:

• Protecting biodiversity like animal and plant species.
• Combating deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
• Restoring ecosystems such as forests, coral reefs, or mangroves.
• Promoting the sustainable use of water, agriculture, and energy.
• Contributing to education and awareness regarding the environment and nature.

Your role in the nature protection can vary greatly depending on the project, your background, and the location. It will most probably consist of:

• Participating in nature restoration projects, such as planting trees or restoring habitats.
• Assisting with wildlife conservation or in animal shelters
• Collecting data for ecological or climate research.
• Supporting local communities in sustainable land use.
• Providing education on nature and the environment.
• Contributing to campaigns or activist actions, such as awareness projects or protests.
• It is important to realize that nature conservation rarely revolves solely around nature. Projects are often closely linked to local living conditions, economic interests, and cultural values. The involvement of the local population is therefore essential for the success of a project.

Good to know, when you are protecting nature and the environment is:

• The impact of your work is often only visible on long term basis, and projects vary greatly in approach, quality, and effectiveness.
• The work is often physical and takes place outdoors, sometimes in remote areas.
• There are also important roles within research, organization, communication, or policy that take place indoors.

What are reasons to protect nature and the environment?

• To become environmentally aware: you learn to understand ecosystems and see the direct impact of human activity on nature and the climate.
• To be involved: you actively contribute to protecting nature, biodiversity, and the living environment.
• To learn to analyze: you gain insight into complex environmental problems such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
• To develop your own vision: you form an opinion on sustainability and the role of humans and nature.
• To work in a results-oriented manner: you make a concrete contribution to projects such as reforestation, research, or education.

What skills and motivations do you need to protect nature and the environment?

• Commitment: because without passion for nature and the environment, it is difficult to achieve anything.
• Perseverance: conditions can be tough, so it's useful to be a bit stress resistant.
• Environmental awareness: you simply can't do or experience nature and environmental protection without already some respect for nature and ecosystems.
• Collaboration: nature and environmental protection is all about working in teams and with locals where empathy and communicating across a language barrier require additional skills

What are good continents and countries to protect nature and the environment?

• Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Cape Verde.
• Latin America: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru.
• Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal.
• Europe: Portugal, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Scotland.

What are the risks of nature and environmental protection and are you insured against those risks while abroad?

What are the risks of nature and environmental protection, and what happens with some regularity:

• that you work in remote nature areas where medical facilities are limited and evacuation can be difficult.
• that you are exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, or altitude differences.
• that you come into contact with wild animals, insects, or plants that pose health risks (bites, allergies, diseases).
• that the physical strain is high due to heavy work, long days, and working in harsh conditions.
• that projects take place in countries with less stable infrastructure or healthcare.
• that costs for medical assistance, evacuation, or damage are not covered without appropriate insurance.

Are you insured for working in nature and environmental protection abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
• Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
• During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse.
• See the pages on insurance for working in environmental and nature protection for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.