Full steam ahead for ORCA volunteers
We’re pleased to report that the marine conservation foundation, ORCA has been able to continue their work throughout the past two years and are welcoming international volunteers back to the shores of Plettenberg Bay to assist with marine research, conservation, and education. In fact, the foundation has been fully booked with volunteers for the past two months!
The ORCA Foundation, a conservation node of Ocean Blue Adventures, was originally designed to create awareness about marine conservation issues facing Plettenberg Bay. The foundation combines research, conservation, and education into a comprehensive volunteer programme. Volunteers of different ages and backgrounds across the globe travel to learn and provide valuable assistance in a range of meaningful projects that could include hiking, responding to animal strandings and visiting local schools.
ORCA is involved in a number of marine research projects making it the perfect programme for those interested in marine mammal research. By assisting foundation biologists in the field, volunteers can gain valuable experience in the boat- and land-based field research methods involving some of Plettenberg Bay’s charismatic top marine predators.
A message from Orca Foundation manager, Jared Harding:
“I would just like to say a big thank you for all the support you have given us during the past two years, during the Covid-19 pandemic
The good news is that ORCA Foundation has been able to continue through these difficult times and we have been fully booked for the past two months, which is amazing!
Now, we want to start planning for 2022, which I think will be a great year as the bookings are coming in nicely from most of the agencies that we work with. At this stage, we have Melissa Nel who has been doing a great job as volunteer coordinator/research assistant and the past two months, we have brought in a house manager as well as a second co-ordinator – on a casual basis – until we can guarantee the ORCA Foundation having guaranteed volunteers. Dr Chantel Elston is still part of our team and oversees the research of the ORCA Foundation as well as working on her Post Doc and, hopefully, when her funding is up, she will join our team officially. Our prices will remain the same as 2021 and will only increase in 2023. Many thanks.” – Jared
Contact ORCA Foundation on +27 (0)81 724 5366 or find out more on Facebook and Instagram.