Mangrove Environmental Conservation

Highlights

• Create positive and meaningful change to the local ecosystems
• Challenge your skills and knowledge in a new and demanding environment
• Meet likeminded individuals and lifelong friends in fun and challenging scenarios
• Experience the historically complex and diverse Cambodian culture
• Explore incredible landscapes and tourist locations such as Angkor Wat and Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary in your free time

Kampot, situated in south western region of Cambodia is becoming very popular due to it’s abundance of natural beauty and french cultural heritage. This area is often viewed as the place which reflects the true Cambodia.  Slow paced, relaxed yet vibrant with a beautiful environment and landscape.

The French architectural legacy still remains in many parts of this town. It is often viewed as a place which truly reflects rural Cambodia. With its slow paced, relaxed and vibrant environment intertwined with its beautiful landscape, it offers a truly unforgettable experience. Of the town’s 2,500 inhabitants, over 80% are directly dependent on the region’s long-standing fishing industry.
A vital necessity for this is the management of mangrove plantation. Unfortunately, in recent years, numerous mangrove sites have been removed from the river banks. Instead, many locals favour salt plantations, as these offer a greater short-term profit. This has contributed to a severe increase in illegal fishing within the province.

The aim of this project is to conserve mangrove plantations. The objective is to reverse the trend of removing mangrove sites, which has seen a rapid increase during recent years as local salt farms have taken precedence.  This can realistically only be achieved through the education of younger generations, combined with the continual physical work of planting new mangroves.

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. This will include tours of the local area, Khmer cultural lessons to guide you through the do's and don'ts and language basics. On an average, you will be working for about 6 hours in a day on the project.  On Mondays, you will start planning the project with the coordinator assigned to you, after having breakfast. Once you plan the project and receive the relevant information, you can have lunch and then leave to work at the community location on your volunteer mangrove conservation program. Once your work for the day is complete, you can then return to the centre and attend a meeting where you can provide feedback regarding the first day at your placement.

From Tuesday to Friday, your day will begin a bit early. You will be taken to the project site and assigned with particular tasks for the day. A support coordinator  will be around for you during the project. Then, in the afternoon after lunch, you will work at the conservation location where the mangrove restoration is taking place.

Modest clothing (covering your legs and shoulders) is requested outside of the accommodation for respect of the community.