Tell us about it!
We’d love to hear from you if you have participated in one of our conservation volunteer programs –send us your reflections on the experience, your photographs and even what you have been doing for the environment or community since arriving back home! Click here for an email form and we will be proud to post your thoughts on this website.
YOUR FEEDBACK SO FAR
'I don't know how to express strongly enough the impact that this trip had on me. Well...maybe I do...I moved here just over a year later! Ha! The combination of the environmental work that we accomplished last year and the cultural awareness factor involved in the trip were phenomenal! I truly enjoyed getting to know about the land, the people and the impact that we all could entertain on the environment so far away from home, which in turn helped me to focus on how much more impact I could have at home (and did start to prior to moving to NZ!). I knew after the first two weeks of our trip that I wanted to move back to NZ, went home and told all of my friends, family and clients that I was moving the following year. Contrary to all of their beliefs, I have done just that...my partner and I arrived in August of this year (baby on the way!) and are heartily enjoying all that NZ has to offer! :)
Thank you for such a memorable and impactful journey! It has lead me to an even greater journey since then, and I'll continue to be grateful for everything I learned!'
~jessica mallernee
(formerly Phoenix, AZ...now Christchurch, NZ)
I went to New Zealand in 2005 and would just like to tell that it changed my life. This trip gave me an insite on how other parts of the world manage their resources. I started as a forest resources management major before I went, but I never thought I would want to do something internationally with it. Because of my trip to New Zealand I want to have a career outside of the United States, helping countries to better manage their resources. I'm very greatful for the opportunity that you have given me and I would enourage anyone on the fence about spending a month in another country to do it. You will learn something about yourself and the world around you.
Thanks
Ian
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
Dear Kuaka,
My name is Andy Kellner and I volunteered through your institution this summer starting at July 20th. The first thing that I'd like to do is compliment you on putting together a truly amazing program. I've done plenty of conservation this side of the Equator and International Date Line, but never have I done work that incorporated so much of the environment and people. The time spent sweating and getting dirty while planting trees, laying track, and pulling invasive species left me feeling great, but working at Avalon and planting trees with the school kids left a mark on my soul that I can't begin to explain. It was wonderful! My word of thanks goes out to your program, Arron, and Jamie for the memories that I'll always carry with me.
Many, many thanks for all that you guys do!
Sincerely,
Andy Kellner
Madison, WI 53714
USA