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Mission & pledge Our mission and our pledge to you and the environment Although these days the term 'expeditions' or 'voluntourism' is much used and abused we at Biosphere Expeditions Ltd. are committed to running real wildlife conservation research expeditions to all corners of the Earth. Our projects are not tours, photographic safaris or excursions but genuine research expeditions and voluntourism projects. Biosphere Expeditions promotes sustainable conservation and preservation of the planet's wildlife by forging alliances between scientists and the public. Our goal is to make, through our voluntouism work, an active contribution towards a sustainable biosphere. At Biosphere Expeditions we believe in empowering ordinary people by placing them at the centre of scientific study and by actively involving them out in the field, where there is conservation work to be done. We always work in close conjunction with local people and scientists and try our best to ensure that the fruits of our expedition work benefit our local helpers, their society and the environment they live in. Adventure, remote locations, different cultures and people are part and parcel of our expeditions, but also the knowledge that you will have played an active role in conserving part of our planet's biosphere. We exist for those who, through their hands-on work, want to make a difference to the survival of the particular species or habitat under investigation, and to the world at large. We invite everyone to come and join us out in the field, at the forefront of conservation, to work, learn, experience and take responsible guardianship of our biosphere. To achieve this Biosphere Expeditions will wherever possible • collaborate with reputable scientists, research institutions and educational establishments (wherever possible from the host nation) who are experts in their field • collaborate with organisations and businesses which operate in an ethical and/or sustainable way • operate in an ethical and sustainable way, minimising negative impacts on local cultures, environments and economies • publish results and recommendations based on collaborative work together with those who helped gather data and draw conclusions. Economic responsibility Accommodation varies from fixed camps, jungle lodges to tents. Where applicable, these will be owned locally. Where possible food is sourced from locally supplied produce and ideally from organic sources. Where applicable, team members are encouraged to spend their relaxation time using local facilities and resources. Biosphere Expeditions always works in close conjunction with local people and makes sure that the fruits of our work benefit local helpers, their society and the environment they live in.   Environmental responsibility All Biosphere Expeditions mission make a contribution to protecting or improving the environment. A formal environmental assessment and appropriate actions as a result are an integral part of Biosphere Expedition's environmental policy. Biosphere Expeditions always aims to minimise the effect on the environment of all its activities. Team members are fully briefed on all aspects of this and told how to minimise their personal and the mission's impact on the environment. Where possible, all paper and other recyclable materials are recycled. Water and energy efficiency are always under consideration and where possible efforts are made to minimise energy usage. Biosphere Expedition is also working with Climate Care, who encourage people to repair the damage they do to the environment every time they fly or use other fossil fuel burning means of transport. All our expedition team members are encouraged on a voluntary basis to make a donation to Climate Care based on the damage their travel to the expedition base has done. This donation is paid into a fund that invests in projects that reduce emissions such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Biosphere Expeditions then covers the carbon debt incurred whilst the expedition is actually in the field. See also our position on the carbon debate and flying   Social responsibility Briefings before the start of the mission and leaders during the mission highlight relevant social issues and offer best practice examples to team members. All missions are developed with local partners and scientists, as well as community representatives where appropriate. This consultation serves to minimise negative impacts on local cultures. This is often developed through a more complete integration into the local community, by working alongside them to achieve a conservation objective. Biosphere Expeditions publishes results and recommendations based on collaborative work together with those who helped gather data and draw conclusions.