WiserEarth Help Desk

Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) provides resources to help sustain livelihoods and alleviate poverty through the protection, restoration and management of coral reefs and tropical forests. CCCs mission is to protect these crucial environments by working closely with the local communities who depend on them for food and livelihood. CCC is a not-for-profit organisation at the cutting edge of ecotourism. The Charity sends teams of volunteers to survey some of the world`s most endangered coral reefs and tropical forests. CCC actively promotes and provides education in tropical ecology and conservation.

Coral Cay Conservation [CCC] is a not-for-profit organisation at the cutting edge of ecotourism. CCC sends teams of volunteers to survey some of the world`s most endangered coral reefs and tropical forests.

CCC is a registered Charity No. 1025534.

Volunteering with CCC:

CCC expeditions have two types of volunteers; training volunteers and staff volunteers and they are the heart and soul of the organisation. On expedition at any given time there will be 6 - 8 core volunteer staff out on site and they ensure the smooth running of the expedition. If a qualified local applies for one of these roles and meets the necessary standards then they will be employed and receive a salary.

Depending on the expedition site, volunteer numbers range between 10 - 40. Expeditions start every month. Volunteers are trained by, and work alongside, professionally qualified volunteer staff in Scuba diving or trekking, science and surveying. Trained volunteers go on to survey reefs or rainforests, work with local communities and pass on the knowledge and expedition skills they have learnt.

CCC volunteers may be gap-year students or company directors taking a career break; they may be teachers or retired. The one thing that everyone will have in common is enthusiasm and a willingness to take an active part in the adventure of expedition life.

Every day brings new adventures and discoveries, from learning to scuba dive to studying the local environment and wildlife; every hour will bring unforgettable beaches, lush forests or awe-inspiring landscapes.The breath taking land and seascapes are only part of the package because volunteers are there to make a difference.

What you need to become a CCC volunteer:

• Enthusiasm, dedication and a keen interest in conservation.
• A minimum age of 16.
• Teamwork spirit.
• Moderate level of fitness - you really don't need to be an athlete!
• Sense of adventure and fun.
• The ability to speak and read English as all expedition training is given in English.

What you don't need to volunteer with CCC:

• Science background or qualifications - we teach you what you need to know.
• Scuba training or specialist skills - training is provided.
• Lots of money - we provide you with advice for fundraising.
• Lots of time - expedition lengths start at 2 weeks.

Anyone can be a CCC volunteer. Anyone can help make a real difference!

CCC Working With Communities:

CCC is widely recognized for its pioneering work in the assessment of tropical forests and coral reefs ecosystems. In addition to this work CCC promotes environmental education and awareness programmes that run alongside biophysical data collection. This ensures that CCC can make a lasting, positive, long-term impact within the communities that it works with.

CCC recognizes the importance of including all resource users of a region within an environmental education and awareness programme. CCC includes a diverse range of stakeholders, including; local schoolchildren, village community leaders, resort guests, dive instructors and tourism guides. Environmental education and awareness programmes may involve visits to CCC project sites or CCC staff and volunteers may visit local community hubs such as local schools. Counterpart training is also offered as part of the CCC Scholarship Award Programme or through specialized workshops. Environmental education and awareness activities are common to all CCC projects.

CCC has awarded marine and terrestrial scholarships to hundreds of people from CCCs host communities around the world. Scholarships are currently available in the Philippines and Tobago.
Courses are provided on diving, marine biology and survey techniques - essential skills for monitoring the long-term health of their coral reefs. Recipients have included teachers, students and fisherman.

As well as these environmental education and awareness activities involving particular stakeholder audiences, the presence of a CCC project in a region also raises wider environmental awareness.