Help conserve Thailand's threatened wildlife and support underprivileged communities and disadvantaged children!

"There aren't even words to describe the experience that I had here in Thailand. It changed my outlook on life so much more than I could have even imagined!" - Taylor Amber, Colorado State University

About ISV's Thailand Projects

The rapid development of Thailand to house its growing population and industrial demands has created a series of conservation and community development issues. Rural Thai communities are in need of developmental assistance with regard to sanitation and infrastructure development to handle the increases in population. Thailand also faces increased pressures caused by the influx of refugees from Burma. At the same time, Thailand's people and government have recognised the urgent need to support, protect and conserve Thailand's natural resources, particularly its wildlife. Much help is needed in this area. As an ISV volunteer, there is a diversity of opportunities where you can go deeper than being a tourist and actually help conservation and community development efforts in a strategic way. ISV has partnered with a number of local non-government organizations, orphanages and other grassroots groups to work on meaningful projects.

Key achievement for 2008:

Planted 11,676 trees in buffer zones to national parks, forests and mangrove areas to improve habitat for local wildlife such as monkeys and elephants.

Taught English and facilitated children activities with 350 orphans. Many of these children have physical and mental disabilities or are vulnerable Burmese refugees fleeing from political unrest in their home country.

ISV's Projects

ISV has projects spread across the country. By volunteering with ISV in Thailand you could find yourself assisting in any of these areas.

• Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation: Make a difference to Thailand's wildlife!
  Here's your chance to get up close and personal with some exotic wildlife! ISV has several projects located in wildlife rescue centres and wildlife sanctuaries. These include sanctuaries for elephants, monkeys and gibbons. As a volunteer, you will be helping conserve native animals in a relatively natural setting and also teach others about how humans can better interact with these wonderful creatures. Expect to get physical, as tasks vary and can include building and maintaining animal enclosures, fence building, vegetation removal, tree planting, feeding and bathing animals, data surveying and animal husbandry (daily care for animals, ensuring healthy living conditions and effective breeding practice). All of these tasks are directly related to the establishment or maintenance of the sanctuary and the amazing species within it.



• Habitat Restoration: Volunteer in some of Thailand's most unique environment!
  ISV is dedicated to assisting with numerous habitat restoration projects throughout Thailand on public and privately-owned land. Get ready to get your hands dirty and see the results of your efforts by helping to rehabilitate land from dense jungles to rolling hills. The goal of these projects is to help restore important habitats and biodiversity through native revegetation (planting) and tree nursery projects. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself rural Thai culture and way of life.



• Marine Conservation: Help improve island environments!
  Marine environments in Thailand are heavily impacted by the increasing numbers of tourists on small islands. As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in the collection of data for the health of reefs and waterways that support island tourism. Prepare to strap on your boots and wade through estuaries, mangroves, beaches and river systems as you look deep into the health of Thailand's waterways. Your projects will also involve an emphasis on the education of locals and tourists about the impacts are the main objectives for these projects. You will be volunteering along stunning coastlines and live amongst Thailand's many traditional villages supported by fishing or tourism.



• Children based programs: Put smiles on children faces!
  Thailand has a large population of homeless and abandoned children who may never get to experience what it means to be a child. ISV's children support projects are located throughout Thailand and combine community support, education, activities with children, and improving infrastructure at orphanages and schools. Be prepared to spend time teaching, creating games and activities, painting murals and repairing playgrounds with children from varied backgrounds. As a volunteer you will provide a positive role model in a caring environment for children who have nothing but the support of volunteers like yourself. Our commitment is to improve the livelihoods of the children and their families.



• Community Support programs: Give a community every day amenities you take for granted!
  As Thailand develops and tries to adapt to the ever changing world, ISV's community support projects aim to assist villages and communities develop a sustainable standard of living. Many villages currently have no running water or electricity – everyday things we take for granted. You will be volunteering to help develop village infrastructure such as running water systems, waste disposal systems, village access roads and signage. You will also help teach English to locals, which will provide these people with a powerful tool to connect them to the rest of the world and perhaps gain revenue from increased tourism. The goals of ISV's community support projects are to improve the village living conditions and assist in community tourism projects.

Project Locations

Projects are spread across the continent of Australia (except Western Australia) and are constantly being updated according to the changing needs of our host organizations.

Please note: These are ALL great projects with significant conservation, community development and educational value in phenomenal locations with highly-regarded organisations. Please be flexible with your project preferences as project availability is specific to departure date.

More on ISV's Projects

Each project is two weeks in length and is run in collaboration with well-established conservation organizations such as non-profits, local non-government organizations and community based organisations. Each volunteer project team will be supervised and directed by professional, English speaking staff from the host organization and ISV Project Leader. Projects are based in various locations, from locations in the far north to the remote areas close to Burma and other regions along the coastal parts of Thailand. The size of the volunteer team will consist of 10-15 people, depending on the project.

Please note: certain projects only operate on specific program dates.

No prior experience in environmental or community related fields of study is required in order to participate. Accommodations vary with projects, ranging from basic local style huts and dormitory style accommodations to home-stays with local families. Meals (3 per day) will be provided during the project and will reflect the local cuisine.