Oyster Worldwide logo WE'VE BEEN GREEN FOREVER AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT... Girl riding in water Oyster is one of the most well-established responsible travel companies in the UK, with many projects founded as far back as 2006. Although the rest of the travel world is starting to catch up with this important issue, we have always been known for our environmental standards by offering worthwhile, ethical and planet conscious projects. THIS IS THE REASON MOST PEOPLE COME TO US! Our programmes are life-changing for participants, but at the same time give you the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the places you go and people you meet. We thought it was about time we shouted about how we've been supporting our changing planet since we began, and how your support goes a long way when you join us. THE PROJECTS THEMSELVES UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO It's all well and good to say we offer projects that 'help the environment', but it's important for you to see exactly how much of a difference volunteering can make. We believe that it is the responsibility of privileged societies to actively seek out the corners of the world, where by no fault of their own, some communities just don't have the privilege to make the environment a priority. Here are just some of the ways in which these projects help you help tip the scales to make a global difference. Baby turtle on the beach S A i e One of our largest offerings is to support breeding programmes for animals that would otherwise be extinct without the awareness and efforts by the local people and volunteers to help them. Protect nesting turtles on nightly beach patrols, collect eggs for the natural hatchery, and deter poachers to ensure population increase in Costa Rica. Knowledge is key: so we focus heavily on the preservation of, and education about disappearing species. In Ecuador, we offer an experience to rescue, care for and release native wildlife, deep in the jungle. Learn about and care for rare species such as Borneo bears and orangutans who are rapidly disappearing as their habitat disappears with them. Be a guardian for native wolves in the Portuguese hills, and educate those about the beauty of brown bears who have gone through so much cruelty in Romania at the hands of humans. Ecuadorian tree monkey Girl walking w elephant We want to support solutions that actually work towards situations concerning one of our most popular animals. You help by supporting the ongoing efforts to reduce human and elephant habitat conflict. This ensures the survival of these ancient, native species in conjunction with allowing local communities to make a living off their precious land and limited resources. Build protection for human water sources against elephant destruction. Track their movements in the wild Namibian desert to add data for research to find better solutions. Redirect Sri Lankan elephants out of human zones to eliminate potentially dangerous situations. To make changes for the future we need study and research. We offer those interested to gain a game ranger qualification by completing an 8 week programme. You'll live and work in the field on a South African big game reserve. You'll protect rare and endangered species, clearing non-native species and studying the flora and fauna. Our elephants research unit, also in South Africa, offers volunteers the opportunity to carry out the important work of data collection as well as observation and care in a safe environment. Vet treating Springbok image We haven't forgotten the 71% of our earth that is covered in water either. Study and collect data aboard a boat off the coast of South Africa that focuses on great whites and the rest of the marine big 5 and their habitat. In Thailand, you'll live on a small island and dive to collect coral samples to study back in the lab. In Portugal and Spain you'll be based just off the sandy beaches of Barcelona and Lisbon, spending satisfying days underwater collecting masses of human rubbish for recycling. It's not just the animals that need our help to survive, it's the habitats they live in that need restoration. Sail the river banks of Borneo, planting trees and clearing obstructions. Along the way you'll get to observe the wonderful wildlife at a cruising pace! Choose from a variety of locations, terrains and projects to help keep New Zealand beautiful and help to eliminate invasive species in order to maintain it's rapidly disappearing native flora. image image We also work with projects helping to fight environmental impacts in cities. Volunteer on local community projects such as food waste reduction and redistribution, and DIY restoration and rubbish clearing to improve impoverished neighbourhoods in Portugal. OUR MARKETING With all the above in mind, we consider the planet with every promotional move we make... Our literature: * We use your My Oyster profile as a platform to give you detailed information you about how your chosen project helps the environment, and offer extra things you can do to help them * We also include general information about how you can travel more responsibly, for example by reducing your plastic waste or carbon footprint by packing light and travelling eco * There is a plethora of information on our public website about each and every project * Check out our policies too! Our Products: * In our offices we buy as eco-friendly products where we can and use sparingly * We visit schools to promote our message about greener gap years. We also partake in many online presentations and work on reducing our carbon footprint by not travelling in person where possible * We don't have any / very small amounts of products! OUR PARTNERS We produce regular newsletters such as these, as well as informative blogs which all contribute to helping in raising awareness about environmental issues. We advertise with responsibly aware magazines, websites and through social media campaigns such as Plastic Free July. During this month we make a special effort in the office, and online, to raise awareness and reduce our footprint. AS FEATURED IN Cren Parent THE NATURAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Green Parent Magazine Oyster Worldwide has featured in issues of The Green Parent, a magazine for the eco-conscious family. RECOMMENDED BY responsibletravel com Responsible Travel Oyster Worldwide has been a long standing member of Responsible Travel which promotes our worthwhile and ethical volunteering projects around the world and sets high ethical standards. INDEPENDENT The Tetegraph The Independent The Telegraph Oyster Worldwide is pleased to work with Oyster Worldwide has recently been featured in Journalists to spread the word about the benefits The Telegraph annual directory of the best gap of taking a gap year or career break. year travel companies and websites. OUR MEMBERSHIPS WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION World Animal Protection Oyster Worldwide is a keen supporter of the World Animal Protection formerly World Society for the Protection of Animals. As one of the founding charities of the bear sanctuary in Romania which Oyster still supports today, we have been working with World Animal Protection since 2007. RIGHT-tourism Oyster Worldwide is one of the very first organisations to join RIGHT-tourism's pledge for responsible tourism. RIGHT-tourism is a campaign encouraging responsible, informed and humane travel. Campaigns include the promotion of animal welfare and animal rights around the world. Rolandia Rolandia, Romanias main online travel agency, has recognised Oyster Worldwide as an Ambassador for Romania in their Supporting Romania campaign to promote volunteering and tourism in Romania. Fair Trade Tourism We choose to work with partner organisations credited with Fair Trade Tourism FTT status. This is an accreditation for South African organisations which promote responsible tourism. The aim of FTT is to make tourism more sustainable by ensuring that the people who contribute their land, resources, labour and knowledge to tourism are the ones who reap the benefits. . 5 o ! mAID Tree Aid We have financially supported TREE AID for many years, a charity whose main mission is to tackle poverty and improve the environment in Africa's dry lands through planting trees. At least one tree is planted for every participant we send away. In addition to this, we encourage participants to offset their flights by 15, that we pass to TREE AID. Since 2007 up to 1000 trees per year have been planted through the offsetting scheme. Millions of Friends Oyster Worldwide work with the charity Millions. of Friends, one of the first animal welfare NGOs in Romania. Founded in 1997, they work hard to save and protect bears, wolves, dogs and cats, and other animals. OUR POLICIES Volunteering with animals is a constructive and inspiring way to help the planet and support the diverse ecosystems around the globe. Oyster Worldwide is committed to ensuring all volunteers are contributing to the welfare of animals, environments, and human communities. We consider the implications of volunteering and travel, ensuring that the volunteer projects we offer are ethical, sustainable and beneficial to all parties involved. The policy outlines our commitment to ensuring all animal welfare and conservation volunteering programs meet our expectations and requirements. Oyster Worldwide is passionate about the importance of responsible travel. We want our projects to fit in with the local way of life, without having a negative impact on the environment, culture or economy. This means that we will only send participants to places where there is a real need and where we have been asked to work. Once there, they should fit in with the community, respecting their way of life and supporting, rather than taking local jobs. Oyster has long-standing environmental policies in place to minimise the company’s impact on the environment overseas and in our UK-based offices. LITTLE EXTRAS Small things can go a long way... * We offer discounts for those who choose to take the train to Romania, Portugal or Spain * We opt for our volunteers to use public transport options where it is safe, cost effective and of course environmentally less damaging * Oyster make regular company donations and contributions to our projects to support local children, communities, flora and fauna * We provide virtual events to reduce our carbon footprint * Our in-house team has helped create environmental policies for our external partners with regard to elephant back riding, contact with animals and responsible volunteering * Our staff are committed to recycling and re-purposing in the office and at home * Our staff cycle and walk to work where possible * Our staff are committed to sustainable charity and environmental work outside office hours So in conclusion - we're pretty proud of what we do... and we won't stop here. As the international travel industry begins to regain some clarity heading into the second half of this year, we're more dedicated than ever to make travel going forward, more meaningful and more special than ever. For more details about our projects, visit our website where you can see information about pricing and what is included, as well as photos, reviews and answers to frequently asked questions. Profile Image The Oyster Team Oyster Worldwide [email protected] +44 (0) 1892 770771 - Work www.oysterworldwide.com Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Oyster Worldwide Ltd, Hodore Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4AR United Kingdom +44 (0) 1892 770771