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Volunteering at Turtle Island
Volunteers are an essential part of Turtle Island’s work to protect endangered turtles and tortoises. There are many ways to get involved, from hands-on animal care, conservation projects, and public education to sharing your professional skills and expertise. Every volunteer contributes valuable time, energy, and knowledge, and we could not do all that we do without the generous people who share our commitment to turtles and tortoises.
Volunteer at Our Conservation Center
Our main conservation center, home to the majority of the turtles and tortoises in our care, is located in Graz, Austria. If you are local to Graz or plan to stay nearby for an extended period, we would love to have you join us in caring for endangered turtles and tortoises. Since working with these specialized animals requires thorough training, we ask animal-care volunteers to make a long-term commitment. We require a minimum commitment of two months, although longer commitments are always appreciated. During this time, you will receive hands-on training while helping care for our turtles and tortoises. How quickly you are able to take on tasks independently will depend on your previous experience and skills.
Volunteers can assist with a variety of daily husbandry tasks and learn about the care of different turtle and tortoise species. We can provide training and help you develop practical skills in turtle husbandry, animal care, and conservation. Hands-on volunteering can be a rewarding way to get to know these remarkable animals while contributing directly to their care.
Help at Educational Events
Turtle Island participates in educational events and public outreach activities in Austria and elsewhere. Volunteers can help us set up staff information tables, speak with visitors, share educational materials, and tell people about the conservation challenges facing turtles and tortoises around the world.
You don’t need to be a turtle expert to help. We can provide information and materials so that you feel comfortable answering questions and talking with the public about Turtle Island’s work.
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Volunteer Your Skills
Volunteering isn’t limited to working directly with animals. We are always grateful for people who can share their professional knowledge, practical skills, or creative talents.
Depending on our current needs, opportunities may include:
- Carpentry and construction
- Electrical work and maintenance
- Photography and videography
- Graphic design
- Social media and communications
- Website and digital support
- Fundraising assistance
- Grant writing
- Event planning
- Administrative support
- Legal or financial expertise
- Public relations and outreach
- And much more
If you have a particular skill or area of expertise that you think could benefit Turtle Island, we would love to hear from you. Sometimes the most valuable volunteer contribution is simply something you already know how to do.
Volunteer Around the World
Turtle Island is an international conservation organization, and our work extends far beyond our center in Austria. We participate in conservation projects, habitat cleanups, rewilding efforts, educational events, conferences, and other activities in different parts of the world.
When opportunities are available, you can get involved directly by joining us at one of these events. These opportunities can provide a chance to meet other turtle enthusiasts, learn more about conservation in the field, and contribute your time to projects that benefit turtles and tortoises.
The best way to hear about upcoming opportunities is to sign up for our newsletter and follow Turtle Island on social media.
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Get Involved Through the European Solidarity Corps
Are you between 18 and 30 and eager to contribute to conservation? The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is an EU program that enables young people to volunteer, develop new skills, and gain international experience. ESC placements at Turtle Island last between six and twelve months. Funded placements cover accommodation, food, and insurance, and provide a travel allowance and pocket money.
The program is open to young people legally residing in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Türkiye, as well as certain other participating countries. Eligibility for a placement depends on the specific project.
Turtle Island is an accredited host organization within the program. Interested in finding out whether an ESC placement is currently available with us? Contact us at support@turtle-island.org.
Check the full list of eligible countries
Learn more about Turtle Island in the European Solidarity Corps
Help Us Spread the Word
One of the simplest ways to volunteer your time is by helping more people learn about Turtle Island and the turtles and tortoises we work to protect.
Do you attend Earth Day events, World Turtle Day events, conservation fairs, community festivals, conferences, or other educational events? Consider volunteering to host a Turtle Island information table. We can provide educational materials, pamphlets, stickers, calendars, and other resources to help you share our mission with your community.
If you own or work at a business, you can also help by making Turtle Island materials available to your customers, clients, or visitors. A small display of educational materials can introduce our work to people who may never have encountered turtle conservation before.
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Volunteer From Wherever You Are
You don’t have to live near a Turtle Island project to make a difference. There are many ways to volunteer your time from home or from your own community.
Share our work with your family and friends. Follow and share our social media posts. Tell someone about a turtle or tortoise species they may never have heard of. Encourage your local school, business, community group, or conservation organization to learn more about turtle conservation.
These simple actions may seem small but helping more people understand the threats facing turtles and tortoises is an important part of conservation.
Get Involved
Whether you can volunteer for a few hours, share professional skills, help at an event, assist with hands-on animal care, or simply help spread the word, there is a place for you at Turtle Island.
Every volunteer contribution, whether it is helping with animal care, lending professional expertise, staffing an educational event, or simply helping us spread the word, helps us accomplish more for turtles and tortoises around the world.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who volunteers with Turtle Island. Your time, knowledge, enthusiasm, and willingness to help are a meaningful part of our conservation work. Thank you for being part of the Turtle Island community and for helping us give endangered turtles and tortoises a better future.
Interested in volunteering? Contact us at support@turtle-island.org to let us know where you are located, what type of volunteering interests you, and what skills or experience you can offer.
Together, we can give endangered turtles and tortoises the care, protection, and future they deserve.