• Volunteer for an international ecology conservation project and help make a difference.Trash Can image by Kathy D from Fotolia.com
  
  Everyone wants to do his part to make the world a better place. Whether you are most concerned with the plight of endangered species, rapidly-disappearing rainforests or melting Antarctic glaciers, ecological and conservation issues are all interconnected. Solving conservation challenges requires international cooperation. Though the causes of problems such as climate change may stem from more industrialized parts of the world, the effects have a global impact. There are several international volunteer opportunities for those who wish to work on ecological conservation projects.
  
  

Volunteer for Community Development Organization

• The Volunteer for Community Development Organization offers several ecological volunteer opportunities in Vietnam. Projects range from leading local environmental education programs that teach locals about conservation to performing community outreach in the form of environmental action groups, clubs and workshops. Other volunteer initiatives include helping operate eco-tourism camps and assisting with the set-up and operation of eco-tours in environmentally- and economically-vulnerable areas. Volunteers must commit to at least two weeks of service. Housing, orientation and airport transfer are provided.
  
  

Kitmusote

• Kitmusote offers volunteer opportunities in Tanzania. Ecology conservation projects activities can include environmental education and training, tree planting, tree maintenance and organic agriculture such as garden maintenance and livestock cultivation. Projects range from 3 to 12 weeks. Housing options include home stays with Maasai families or tent camps in a small village near the organization's headquarters. Volunteers receive orientation and Swahili-language training.
  
  

ProAves

• ProAves, a nonprofit in Colombia, offers eco-volunteer opportunities. Volunteers assist with conservation projects in three nature preserves with the goal of protecting bird habitats. Activities can include research, maintenance, reforestation, nest-boxing and bird monitoring. Volunteers must be able to speak conversational Spanish and commit to at least one month's service. Volunteers are housed in cabins in the nature reserves. Food is provided.
  
  

Ocean Conservancy

• Ease into Volunteering on International Coastal Cleanup Day.butt image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Each September, the Ocean Conservancy coordinates a global cleanup day. Known as the International Coastal Cleanup, the event requires more than 500,000 volunteers in 100 countries. Even those who don't live near the ocean can participate by cleaning up any polluted area. Volunteers work to collect trash and debris from ocean beaches, lakes, rivers and streams and record information about items on data cards. The Ocean Conservancy researches the sources of trash in order to identify how to best change practices that lead to pollution. Participants walk shoulder-to-shoulder along beaches and waterways, ride on boats or even scuba dive, picking up trash and recording data along the way.
  
  

Surfrider Foundation

• The Surfrider Foundation operates 60 chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Canada and several European countries. The foundation offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. These include simple beach cleanup, collecting water samples, fundraising activities, leading educational field trips and classroom trainings. Each chapter offers different volunteer options and projects.