At Venture Outside, a big part of the “VO Concept” is giving something back. We’re all firm believers in responsible ecotourism. But ecotourism, in and of itself, still is just taking from nature without giving something back.
During our adventures, we’ll try to give you an opportunity to take away things from your trip on a personal level…..a greater understanding and appreciation of your natural and cultural heritage……maybe a sense of urgency to lend your support to conservation projects back at home……things like that.
But, we’ll also give you an opportunity to do more. By going on a VO adventure, you will help to directly support a variety of conservation projects. Remember, VO supports a non-profit foundation. Our profits will be directed to a group of projects reviewed and selected on an annual basis by the VO Board of Directors, which is composed of individuals who have dedicated their lives to various aspects of the environment.
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A short-list of projects your participation will help to support include:
Land acquisition and habitat restoration projects along the coast of Maine.
At first glance, large portions of the Maine coast seem to be undeveloped. But a closer look reveals that only a small percentage of the coast is under any type of protection. There are significant ecological and cultural areas that are imperiled. This project earmarks contributions to organizations and land trusts that have already identified target areas for acquisition, along with direct restoration of degraded habitats along the coast, that have been identified by organizations such as the Casco Bay Estuary Program.
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Land preservation in Panama
Like all countries in Latin America, Panama is undergoing heavy deforestation for agriculture and lumber industries.
Several habitat types, such as coastal dry forest, low montane forest, and even moist cloud forest are targeted because of their potential for agriculture, and because of the high proportion of this land that has already been impacted.
For example, one of the areas our trips visit is the Chiriqui Province of Panama. There is almost no lowland tropical forest remaining in Chiriqui. This project earmarks contributions to organizations that are dedicated solely to land preservation, and direct purchase of land for a Chiriqui Reforestation Project.
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Education.
 Our tour leaders also are actively involved in giving presentations to schools and organizations on topics ranging from watershed protection to vernal pools, and a variety of other environmental topics. Always we’re struck by the interest of school children, and the organization of environmental clubs in high schools. This project earmarks funds to support individual and group “research” projects for high schools. We solicit proposals and support as many projects as possible, with the goal being a serious report and presentation from the students who perform the projects. The VO web site will highlight some of these from time to time.
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Participation in VO adventures by underpriviledged children. Just as it implies, we’ll hold several sessions a year specifically for children who are unable to afford the cost of a VO adventure.
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