WildVenture

WildVenture is a small volunteer organization for conservation, research, and community support projects. Many conservation and community projects are currently helped by WildVenture's volunteers, promotion and funding. Each expedition works with local experts in their field and have qualified personnel on site.
History
WildVenture was founded in 2009 by three Imperial College London biology graduates. They are an extensively travelled team. They have experienced different cultures and the damaging effect of habitat destruction in almost every country. They established WildVenture as a means to create a free work force for these causes and to create the possibility of reinvesting funds back into projects. With little funds to invest in the creation of the company the graduates relied on their individual skills and contacts to build the venture.
The Projects
Orphan Lamb Care
The first project to be set up in 2009 was the 'Orphan Lamb Care Expedition'. This expedition took place in North Cornwall. It aims to give volunteers experience in animal handling, medicating and first hand knowledge of the difficulties faced by local farmers during the lambing period. It acts as a lamb bank, taking orphan lambs from locals farms, caring for them until they are able to feed themselves and then giving them back to the farm. This project helps negate the significant financial losses made by farmers during the season.
The project is carried out in Bude in North Cornwall and is closely affiliated with Cerenety Eco Campsite. This campsite offers holiday accommodation that has a low carbon footprint . They provide facilities run on renewable energy such as solar and wind power. WildVenture says that it would like to accommodate volunteers comfortably whilst limiting negative impact on the local environment.
Forest Mammal Research
In 2010 the 'Forest Mammal Research Expedition' was set up. Primarily, this expedition aims to carry out research on the dormouse along with other mammal species of the Chilterns. The research involves the tagging, weighing and habitat observation of the introduced Glis species, which is threatening our native wildlife and causes damage to woodland trees. The project also studies the native and protected Hazel Dormouse, whose population has been declining in the UK over the past century, in order to find out the best ways of conserving this species . Volunteers also observe other mammals found within the forests to provide information on the habitat and environment in which the Hazel Dormouse can thrive.
This project takes place in the Chilterns in the UK, where there is a good size population of the introduced pest species and the protected, native species. An article co-written by one of the WildVenture founders Sarah Brooks, explains the preferred habitat of our native dormouse species .
Teaching English in Mongolia
In 2011, WildVenture set up its first overseas expedition. Having become aware of the increasing infrastructure and companies established in Mongolia and the number of jobs given to foreign workers due to the lack of English speaking locals, WildVenture set up an English Speaking project in Khovd (Western Mongolia). The project takes native English speakers to Mongolia to teach in the university of Hovd, where student can learn for free. The volunteer organisation also arranges the shipment of English language and excersise books over to Mongolia. The university are currently planning to establish a year round English course with the help of WildVenture volunteers.
The project is based in Khovd and works with a local Mongolian tour operator that also has a charity branch . This company aims to bring more tourism to a country in need of jobs and foreign finance, it therefore fully supports the aim of teaching English to the town's people.
Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka
WildVenture is currently setting up a new project in Sri Lanka, aimed to help conserve some of the most endangered turtle species in the world. The Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtle both nest on the beaches of Sri Lanka.
See Also
Tourism in Mongolia

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