Volunteering for whale research station on remote island

Annika Honerkamp Start Date: Jan 10, 2020 - End Date: Jan 9, 2021
  • British Columbia, Canada

My Travel Story

by: Annika Honerkamp Start Date: Jan 10, 2020 - End Date: Jan 9, 2021
Volunteer project to protect whales

Hello there!

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

My name is Annika and I'm 20 years old. I am planning to work as a volunteer at a whale research station on a very remote island in BC, Canada. 

For the last four years I have spend every summer volunteering there to help with data collection to enable long term conservation of the whales that call these waters home.

I have been invited to come back for the summer of 2020 to help with the data collection and to take on additional responsibilities for example training the new volunteers! I am increadibly grateful for the opportunity to support this extraordinary place more!

The commitment to the protection of whales has captivated me and showed me that maintaining the natrual habitat of these majestic creatures is essential! Living in an extremely remote area without the benefits of modern civilization is a challenge to look at the world from a different perspective. 

From everything I have observed there, I want to give back as much as I can! Seeing big cruise ships and tankers go through this area is just heartbreaking and the LNG Canada will bring even more tankers to this area! With the ever-increasing concern of ship strike on cetaceans and underwater noise I am even more determined to continue to build upon the data collection of the research station with the hope of helping to protect these whales. 

Financial concerns are the only barrier to go back to Canada. There is a weekly fee for food (due to remoteness of the island, food is shipped via a ferry to a nearby First Nation community), transportation costs to get to the island (flights and ferries) and insurance requirements.

I would greatly appreciate ANY financial support! No matter how small! 

Thank you in advance for your donation!

P.S Check out https://www.whalepoint.org for more information about the Pacific Whale Society!
  • British Columbia, Canada

Updates

2
  • Feeling Very Grateful

    Feeling very grateful
    For everyone who has donated: Thank you so much for your support! I really appreciate your generosity and kindness!
    Here's a picture of the lab - my favourite place in the world! Sometimes whales pass by right in front of the cabin!
    The research station gets power from renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric solar and wind. For water there is a nearby creek and for heat we only use driftwood that can be found at the beach.
  • Thank You!!!

    Thank you!!!
    A big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far!
    It truly means the world to me!
    - Annika