Dolphin Discovery Volunteer Programs

When I’m asked for something interesting and fun to do in Western Australia, I always recommend doing a few days or a few weeks volunteering at a wild dolphin research and conservation centre. The Dolphin Discovery Centre is a unique place. It is the only site in Australia which can offer shore-based and boat-based interaction with wild dolphins as well as dolphin watching tours and a fascinating and educational Interpretive Centre.

Why be a volunteer? By volunteering for the Dolphin Discovery Centre you will achieve a great sense of satisfaction knowing that you are assisting in a worthwhile project to increase public awareness about dolphins and other marine life. Being a volunteer can be a wonderful experience, you meet people from all around the world, not to mention the dolphins. However your time as a volunteer will involve a lot more than being in the water with the dolphins. Activities of a Volunteer Talking to visitors on the beach and Interpretive Centre - explaining what the DDC does. Assisting to coordinate the Interaction Zone when dolphins visit. Managing the front entrance and Dolphin Room area. Assisting with current research projects or data collection. Assisting with the research program recording observations in the bay and monitoring of dolphin visit to the zone. Inputting the research data into data bases for analysis. General maintenance and cleaning. Objectives The Dolphin Discovery Centre is operated by the Bunbury Dolphin Trust. Opportunities are provided for people to learn about dolphins by interacting with these animals in their natural environment. The Bunbury Dolphin Trust has the following objectives: Education: To provide educational opportunities for the general public and schools. To help develop an understanding of marine mammals and their environment, through interaction with the dolphins of Koombana Bay. Conservation: To support and contribute to the conservation of marine mammals and their environment. Research: To encourage, initiate and conduct research into the well being of all marine mammals and their environment. To endeavour to accumulate knowledge for better marine management and conservation. Tourism: To provide residents, visitors and tourists with a fascinating learning experience centred upon marine mammals and their environment. Our Ecologically Sensitive Ethic The Dolphin Discovery Centre is Australia’s most ecologically aware dolphin interaction experience. We pride ourselves in providing wonderful experiences whilst minimising the impact on the dolphins and their environment. All our visitors can be assured their involvement at the Dolphin Discovery Centre is managed with the welfare of the dolphins as our primary concern.

· All volunteers will receive a Volunteer Certificate on completion of the Volunteer Program. · Volunteers will be provided with a Dolphin Discovery Volunteer shirt to wear as their uniform during volunteer work. Volunteers can also keep the shirt as a souvenir. · During each day of volunteer work in Bunbury, volunteers are entitled to a free lunch. This is a sandwich of their choice, morning and afternoon tea, and unlimited tea and coffee from our café. ALL OTHER MEALS MUST BE PAID FOR. · The orientation session will provide the volunteer with information about Bunbury, and the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Also, maps of Bunbury and return 5-star coach tickets will be provided. · There are wetsuits and snorkel gear available for loan and you will be supplied with lunch. Tea and coffee is complimentary however all other café items need to be purchased. For more info, availability and package prices, contact me or check my website: http://www.workstudy.com.au/