There are so many ways we can try to do better when we travel, and looking for tours or activities that have a conservation angle is one that, with a little research, can be surprisingly easy. In Episode 298 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, I chat with two tour operators who have been diving deep into the conservation travel area for years, and to a traveller who was impressed by a conservation project in India and made a point to visit.

First up, Roger Smith from Echidna Walkabout does a good job of providing a definition of conservation travel, and then gives some great examples of what it can be and the effect it can have. It's good food for thought, too, that here in Australia, many people don't understand the value of our wildlife nor really see why it's so important to conserve it.

I chat then with Jamie Van Jones from Salt and Bush Eco Tours, who has a great example of a conservation project she's been involved with centred on fairy terns, small birds which are classed as a "vulnerable" protected species.

Finally, my long-time listener and friend Anuj explains more about his trip to the Gir National Park in India, where there has been a successful conservation campaign to improve outcomes and numbers for the local lions.

Links:

• Roger Smith of Echidna Walkabout - https://echidnawalkabout.com.au/
• Jamie Van Jones - www.saltandbush.com.au 
• Anuj’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anujph/ 
• Episode 293 - Citizen Science for Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/293
• Episode 292 - Ethical Animal Experiences - https://notaballerina.com/292 
• Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers 
• Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/linkedin
• Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/298