So the other day I was thinking about setting up a volunteer project for this student group I am in here at UNL and whenever I go to find projects my mind always tends to lean towards ones specific to my major. I started thinking of different environmental service projects in my head when the idea of Eco-tourism mixed with volunteer work popped into my head! I thought this combination would be the best of both worlds... well at least for those like me who love outdoors but also wouldn't mind volunteering to help others including other species.This idea goes hand in hand with what we have been learning in class especially the broad term of Eco-tourism meaning to help conserve, educate, and involve the local communities. I think if places market or advertise volunteerism as a tourist opportunity many people involved in service learning would take interest and spread the word!! One idea would be for parks to involve hikers and climbers to join in a project to help with conserving trails or helping to get rid of invasive species. Another great idea would be for those visiting indigenous villages to instead of observing the native people ask to get involved with a land management project such as farming or harvesting.  Of course these are broad ideas and there are many more different was to combine volunteering with Eco-tourism, these were just to get your own idea flowing!! 

When to visit Minnesota  we took time before hiking to help pull out the invasive garlic mustard plant from the area! I felt empowered knowing that I could help conserve an area so beautiful!

Here is a photo of the garlic mustard at work!