My experience of volunteering with LWF was very exciting and fulfilling. I was interested in, and always wanted to work in community conservation, so I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer for the Village Kids’ Awareness Programme in Bandhavgarh. I enjoyed listening to all the thrilling tiger stories from their villages that the students had to tell. People like Bhavna Menon really are making a big difference bit by bit, in the lives of these kids. I learnt a lot from her, and the kids as well, while enjoying everything in this programme. Thanks LWF!

LWF is arguably one of the few path breaking wildlife conservation NGOs of India, making a real difference at the grassroots level not only in terms of a holistic approach to conservation but also implementing pioneering awareness programmes to address man-animal conflicts. Thank you LWF for your selfless service to the nation !

Volunteering with the Last Wilderness Foundation also set me up for my first entrepreneurial venture. The brilliant experience of volunteering helped me come up with a product that we hope will facilitate easy connections between all such projects and volunteers!

Those 15 days spent in Panna will always remain an integral part of my life. Having mentors like Vidya Venkatesh and Bhavna Menon to guide me through the project and their knowledge sharing has boosted my overall development.

Their strength I’ve realised is this: They come in, ready to learn, as well as teach. They come in, ready to love, as well as empower. They come in, aware that this really is not about them at all. The impact is really visible to all of us, but the work they put in, I’ve seen first hand. And it has left me in awe. Also because of the positive way the locals react to them… the village elders, the forest guards, even the park drivers and guides. As an editor, I find stories hidden in every aspect of the work this team does. This then becomes a great combination of spreading awareness + impact.

Volunteering with the LWF at Bandhavgarh has been, at the risk of sounding clichéd, a rewarding and life changing experience. To actually be able to actively see the change in attitudes towards tiger conservation changing before our eyes was eye-opening and inspiring. I am amazed to learn about the progress and efficiency of the programme and now truly understand the importance of involving communities into any and all conservation strategies.

The time spent in Kanha volunteering with the village kids was one of the best and most unforgettable experiences I have had thanks to the opportunity provided by LWF, considering this was the first time I had been on field. They are a true inspiration and have helped in my perception to understand how important it is to involve communities for conservation work.

Working for forests in a field capacity is a rare chance to come by, unless you’re a field biologist or researcher. LWF allows you to break that barrier and work closely, for and with the forests, opening your perception to interpreting wildlife, humans and their interactions. My experience at Kanha, volunteering for a month was physically exhausting but so emotionally satisfying. The core team has a sensitivity that reflects in their work.