In the Spring, you can help man the fish doorbell. It’s good fun for the second monitor, if you have one.
Context copied from the linked page:
"Every spring, thousands of fish swim through Utrecht’s canals and waterways, searching for a place to spawn and reproduce.
In the heart of the city lies the beautiful Weerdsluis, a manually operated lock. When the lock gates are closed, fish are forced to wait, wasting valuable time and energy – making them easy prey for birds and predatory fish.
To help the fish, an underwater camera is installed at the lock. If fish appear on screen, you can press the doorbell! This alerts the lock keeper, who will open the lock when many fish are waiting. You can “ring” the Fish Doorbell from early March to late May
People do so enthusiastically every year. In 2024, the Fish Doorbell attracted around 2.7 million viewers, from America to Brazil! The project has gained global recognition, helping people worldwide learn about fish migration and Utrecht’s underwater world."
NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 3 weeks ago
So, yes actually. Check out earthwatch.org, they offer trips where you participate in ecological research and/or conservation efforts. For example, here is a 2-week trip focused around counting animal populations in the Mongolian steppe:
earthwatch.org/…/wildlife-mongolian-steppe
These trips are somewhat pricy (this one is US$4250), but typically include room and board for the entire period and all local travel. Also:
You do have to make your own arrangements for traveling to wherever the research location is.
cybervseas@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Thank you this is exactly what i was looking for. Cataloguing critters I found on a marine reserve in the Bahamas last week was so interesting but doing it all without any experts to learn from was lonely.
TheTechnician27@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
What kinds of critters? 👀
icelimit@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
Yeah I’ve been salivating at some of their trips. But it’s really pricey.
TheBat@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yeah lol. Not for people in third world countries. 😪
AlecSadler@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
Holy shit thank you for this.
Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 3 weeks ago
I’d consider popping over to Mongolia and helping with grunt work, but $4000? Do they have a cheaper package where you bring your own motorbike, food, tent, gear, etc?
UnspecificGravity@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
That’s just called “going camping” and it probably costs more than 4 grand to get all that shit to Mongolia.