Conservation Volunteers, Australia’s largest practical conservation organisation, is one of three organisations that has been recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) The UNWTO Ulysses Awards reward initiatives and projects undertaken by public tourism institutions, tourism enterprises and non-profit institutions that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of tourism through innovation, in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The W. James Whyte Island Reserve project run near Bacchus Marsh in Victoria has won the 2011 Ulysses Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations.

Madeline Townsend, the director of volunteer and membership services for the NGO, described the Island Reserve as “a flagship project – a place where we can continue involving community volunteers and showing them the long-term restoration of a landscape back to environmental health.”

Nearly 5,000 volunteers, a mixture of locals and international tourists, have planted trees, cleared weeds, built walking trails and collected native seed for future propagation.The awards ceremony was held during the Gala Dinner of the ‘UNWTO Algarve Forum on Tourism and Science: Bridging theory and practice’ on June 2nd in Vilamoura, Portugal. Conservation Volunteers won their section alongside a company offering guided tours through Canada for people with disabilities and a discovery trail of the ancient Moche civilization of Northern Peru.

Marine debris is defined as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment. Seven billion tonnes of plastic litter enter the ocean every year. It is estimated that over 45,000 pieces of plastic debris float on surface of every square kilometre of ocean.

Gladstone is one of Australia's major economic hubs and as such is reliant on a clean, safe harbour for industrial activities. Similarly, the harbour is a major recreational area where fishing and boating are paramount. The area also falls within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where iconic Australian animals including 4 species of marine turtles and the dugong are at risk of death through entanglement or ingestion of marine debris. In March 2011 alone, 1209 items were collected off of 450m of beach on Facing Island, which equals 2.7 items per metre.

Gladstone Harbour Catchment Care is an initiative of Conservation Volunteers and QGC Pty Ltd to protect the environmental qualities of Gladstone Harbour and encourage awareness of how to maintain healthy waterways and in particular a healthy harbour. By reducing the amount of urban litter which becomes marine debris, we will enhance the safe enjoyment of our wonderful natural asset and protect the harbour’s exceptional environmental values.

AUSTRALIANS are slow to put their hands in their pockets when it comes to donating money but have a growing interest in volunteering.

About one-third of the approximately 8000 Australians earning more than $1 million a year typically "make no gift to charity," says Simon McKeon, Australian of the Year 2011, who works part-time for the Global Poverty Project.

But grassroots volunteering is on the rise. Thirty-four per cent of adult Australians contribute their time each year, according to Volunteering Australia.

The concept broadly known as voluntourism involves a diverse array of opportunities.

Australian Volunteers for International Development was launched last month by Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.

It is linked to a web portal (ausaidvolunteers.gov.au), providing a one-stop practical guide to how to make a difference abroad. Projects are scattered through Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. A goal of finding more than 1000 new "assignments" in 43 countries has been set for 2013.

Non-government organisations and travel companies create myriad short and medium-term volunteering getaways for tourists. Gap Adventures, Antipodeans and STA Travel (through Planeterra, i-to-i, Global Vision and Conservation Volunteers Australia) are just some of the operators inspiring Australians to extend a helping hand across the globe.

For example, Australians on voluntourism holidays have built houses in Cambodian villages, taught English in South American schools and offered emergency support during recent natural disasters in New Zealand and Japan.

On a broader front, the UN World Tourism Organization recognises that all tourism, when well-structured and ethical, brings benefits to local communities. Its volunteering website (unv.org) uses the tag "inspiration in action".

Recently at a function at the Legislative Assembly, Keep Australia Beautiful celebrated the achievements of the participants in the seventh annual ACT Sustainable Cities Awards.

The awards are open to community, business and all levels of government in the ACT. The awards celebrate achievement in litter reduction and the broader sustainability agenda including water and energy conservation.

Conservation Volunteers won for Canberra’s Westbourne Woods Project, involving weed removal, distributing native plant seeds, and photo-point monitoring to record progress.

"Conservation Volunteers have put in some sterling work to clear the weeds from the foreshore, especially given the excellent conditions for weeds growth over the last few months," Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope said. "Among the weeds they have targeted are Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Elm suckers, Pine wildings, Privet and Black Alders.

Chair of the Judging Committee Rolfe Hartley commented: “Once again the entries for the ACT Sustainable Cities Awards have demonstrated innovation and a commitment to fostering and achieving sustainability in our community."

With the destruction of many of our Buloke and Eucalypt forests for timber since settlement, nesting trees and food are becoming scarce for this iconic bird in Victoria and South Australia.  In addition to losing valuable habitat, Red-tailed Black cockatoos also have the added pressure of predation from introduced animals such as red foxes and cats.

Conservation Volunteers is re-establishing and enhancing the Buloke and Eucalypt habitat needed to bring this spectacular iconic bird back from the brink.

Saving the Red-tailed black cockatoos is urgent, important and costly.  Our supporters and volunteers provide invaluable funding and assistance to make this happen.

To find out more about the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo and how you can support Wild Futures, visit http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/wildfutures/

Book during the month of August to receive 10% off the below programs:

Experience the best of Pelican Lagoon on our Kangaroo Island Discovery Weekend or our week long Kangaroo Island Wildlife Research. Book before August 31st and receive a 10% discount

Join us on this remarkable trip to remote Cape Arnhem and assist with vital marine debris surveys. Book in August to receive your 10% discount.

Contribute to the endangered species recovery programs at Tidbinbilla Nature
Reserve. If you book before August 31st you will receive a 10% discount.

To book email bookings@naturewise.com.au or contact Natasha on free call 1800 032 501 and mention e-news offer to receive your special discount.

For details on all of our Naturewise Holidays, visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/volunteer/naturewise.htm