Breaking Into Conservation When Volunteering Is Not An Option
Breaking Into Conservation When Volunteering Is Not An Option
On the 30th of October, I attended ZSL’s Wildlife Careers Conference at London Zoo. The day brought together students, early-career conservationists and professionals from across the sector. We heard from people working in field research, ecology, animal care, education, conservation policy and communication. Many shared that their career paths were not straightforward, which was reassuring.
After the morning talks, there was time to network with organisations over lunch, followed by a chance to walk around the zoo. In the afternoon, I attended workshops on research methods for animal care and conservation prioritisation, which were both practical and insightful. The day ended with a final panel discussion on how to stand out when applying for roles in conservation.
However, one message came up repeatedly throughout the day:
This was frustrating. I come from a low-income background, so working unpaid for months is simply not possible. Even if I could, many organisations do not currently have volunteer spaces available. Several stalls at the conference confirmed that they have long waiting lists or no active opportunities. I brought printed CVs hoping to express interest directly, and even then, there were no options that were accessible.
I asked the panel what someone should do when volunteering is not an option. There was no clear answer.
This reflects a wider issue. Conservation often depends on unpaid labour to function. That means people with financial security have an easier time entering the field, while others are forced to step back, despite passion and potential. If we want a conservation sector that reflects the communities and ecosystems we serve, then the pathways into the field must be accessible.
So here are some real alternatives to volunteering that allow you to build relevant skills and experience without working unpaid. Each of these can be done flexibly around work or study, and most are free.
Contribute to biodiversity monitoring through platforms like iNaturalist, eBird and Zooniverse.
This builds species identification skills, ecological awareness and data literacy.
Record your contributions and list them on your CV.
Email researchers and ask if they need help with data entry, literature reviews or organising source materials.
Offer a few hours per week.
This often leads to deeper involvement and references.
QGIS is free and there are many accessible tutorials online.
R and Python have free textbooks focused on ecology and conservation data.
Create small mapping or data analysis projects and share them online or in portfolios.
YouTube is your new best-friend!
Local bird groups, bat monitoring groups and youth nature collectives provide learning and community.
You do not need to commit to weekly volunteering.
Attend talks. Join occasional survey days. Build connections organically.
Visitor experience roles at nature reserves or zoos, outdoor education work, community engagement roles and environmental outreach work all build communication and coordination skills that are highly transferable into conservation roles.
One of the most valuable things you can do is share your learning publicly.
You do not need a job title to communicate science.
Post species profiles, summaries of papers, notes from conferences, field observations or GIS practice maps.
This demonstrates initiative, communication skills and ongoing engagement with conservation.
Breaking into conservation should not depend on whether you can afford to work for free. A sustainable future requires a conservation workforce that is diverse, supported and valued. There is space for everyone, but the sector must do more to create accessible entry routes.
I left the conference inspired, but also motivated to push for change. The work is not just about protecting wildlife. It is also about building a field where everyone who cares has the opportunity to contribute.