WIN A PLACE ON A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EXPEDITION courtesy of Start This is your chance to join a unique Arabian leopard conservation expedition to Oman. Courtesy of its global partners Land Rover, Oman Tourism and Swarovski Optik, Biosphere Expeditions is offering two free places on Biosphere Expedition’s Arabian leopard expedition to Oman. And there’s more: next to the main prize of joining the expedition there are Swarovski binoculars and Land Rover off-road driving courses to be won. All you have to do is be prepared for an expedition (not some luxury holiday trip!) and tell us who you are, why we should take you on and what you think you can contribute to the expedition. About us Biosphere Expeditions is an award-winning, non-profit-making organisation offering hands-on conservation volunteer work expeditions as an adventure with a purpose for everyone. We bridge the gap between scientists at the forefront of conservation work in need of funds and helpers, and enthusiastic laypeople, who in their holiday time, through their hands-on assistance and with their expedition contribution want to support them [more].   Prizes First and second prize: the Oman expedition This wildlife conservation and research expedition will take you to the remote desert mountains of the Dhofar region of Oman. Working alongside scientists from the Royal Omani Court, you will be part of a small international team, monitoring Arabian leopard presence and contributing to an important piece of research. From a field base you will venture out on in the expedition Land Rovers and on foot, looking for tracks, scratch marks and other pieces of evidence of leopard presence, setting camera traps and talking to the local people about leopard sightings. More information about the expedition www.biosphere-expeditions.org/oman. Although popular myth has Arabia down as a vast, flat and empty expanse of sand (and oil), Oman is quite different. In fact, there is a wide range of contrasting landscapes: high mountains, beaches, the desert landscapes of the Empty Quarter, coral reefs and even tropical habitats, where the monsoon touches Oman in the extreme south (in the mountainous expedition region called the Dhofar, where the leopard still survives and where the expedition takes place). Among the variety of fauna and flora are flocks of migrant wading birds passing through every year; marine, mountain, desert and shoreline ecosystems; endangered Arabian mammals like leopard and oryx; coral reefs with endemic fish; whales and dolphins along the coast, and turtles that nest in large numbers on the beaches that run almost along the length of the country. More information www.omantourism.gov.om. Third and fourth prize: Swarovski Optik EL 32 TRAVELER binoculars -  for memorable moments It is the detail, which makes the moment unique and turns an expedition into an unforgettable experience. This is when perfect and light-weight binoculars are essential: absolutely sharp, precise and in diamond-bright, lifelike colors they provide glimpses which would otherwise remain hidden for ever.   More information www.swarovskioptik.com. Fifth and sixth prize: a $200 gift card from Snowgum Snowgum is Biosphere Expeditions' official gear partner in Australia and began designing and producing Travel & Outdoor clothing and equipment in 1924. Today, you’ll find innovative gear designed by travellers for travellers. Packs, luggage, bags, duffels, space savers, organisers, toiletry bags, locks, security tags, wallets, money belts, plugs & adaptors, ear plugs & eye shades, travel pillows & travel towels….and of course, travel clothes and footwear. Snowgum is Australia’s one stop travel shop! More information www.snowgum.com.au   How to apply You have two options of putting in an application. Either send us an essay (max. 300 words) or a video clip (max. 1 minute), which you can easily create yourself (for example using the movie setting of your digital camera) and upload to a video sharing site (for example YouTube). If you are not familiar with how to use YouTube, then have a look at this short guide. Whichever option you go for, we would like to know from you who you are, why we should take you on and what you think you can contribute to the expedition. Note that Biosphere Expeditions organises serious research & conservation expeditions, not luxury or sports or party holidays. With this in mind our competitions are no "Pop Idol"-style castings events where you need to sing, dress up or otherwise make a fool out of yourself. We would like to get to know you as much as is possible within the above remit, so just be yourself! Entry is open to anyone 18 years or over except employees of Biosphere Expeditions their immediate families. There is no cash alternative in whole or part and prizes are not transferable. The judges' decision is final. By participating in the competition, you accept these terms & conditions. The application deadline is 1 November 2010. Partners Our corporate partners are crucial in reducing our running and expedition costs (for example by providing Land Rover vehicles and Swarovski binoculars & night sights) so that we can spend the lion's share of two-thirds or more of your expedition contribution directly on the project in hand.   Although popular myth has Arabia down as a vast, flat and empty expanse of sand (and oil), Oman is quite different. In fact, there is a wide range of contrasting landscapes: high mountains, beaches, the desert landscapes of the Empty Quarter, coral reefs and even tropical habitats, where the monsoon touches Oman in the extreme south in the mountainous expedition region called the Dhofar, where the leopard still survives and where the one of the many Biosphere Expeditions projects expedition takes place. Among the variety of fauna and flora are flocks of migrant wading birds passing through every year; marine, mountain, desert and shoreline ecosystems; endangered Arabian mammals like leopard and oryx; coral reefs with endemic fish; whales and dolphins along the coast, and turtles that nest in large numbers on the beaches that run almost along the length of the country.     In 2002 Biosphere Expeditions was delighted to become one of a select few partners in Land Rover's environmental sponsorship programme "Fragile Earth". Since then Land Rover and Land Rover Experience have been instrumental to the running of many field projects such as lion & cheetah conservation in Namibia, snow leopard research in the Altai, Arabian leopard studies in Oman, jaguar & puma conservation in Brazil, work on chamois, wolves & bears in Slovakia, and a climate change expedition in the Spanish Pyrenees [more].   Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Austrian Swarovski Group. Founded in 1949, Swarovski Optik today specializes in the manufacture of precision sports optics and is a world leader in the premium segment of this market. Thanks to a proven track record for unparalleled quality, Swarovski binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes, range finders, image intensifier and optronic devices are the preferred choice of many professional users and discerning nature watchers around the globe. In 2009 Biosphere Expeditions was delighted to become one of a select few partners in Swarovski Optik's travel & nature sponsorship programme.   Snowgum began designing and producing outdoor clothing and equipment in 1974. For over 34 years their gear has been the essential traveller's companion - from the Himalayas to the Sahara, across the Outback, up the Amazon and down the Nile - visiting every corner of the planet. As they travelled, Snowgum's products evolved. Today, you're as likely to see Snowgum outdoor clothing and equipment on Sydney Harbour daytrippers, London Tube commuters or visitors enjoying the Piazzas of Rome, as on serious trekkers in Nepal or Machu Picchu - their range of Lifestyle Climate Control Clothing is constantly growing to meet the demands of active lifestyles everywhere.   Apply now