Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization that brings science to life for…read morepeople concerned about the Earth's future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering volunteers the opportunity to join research teams around the world. This unique model is creating a systematic change in how the public views science and its role in environmental sustainability. Earthwatch recruits close to 4,000 volunteers every year to collect field data in the areas of climate change, rain forest ecology, wildlife conservation, marine science, archaeology, and more. Through this process, I have been educated and inspired. Some of you may be aware that I work as a Health, Safety, and Environmental Advisor for a multinational oil company (aka Big Oil). Not surprisingly, I'm most interested in Climate Change and Earthwatch offers many options. My first trip in 2006 was sponsored by my employer and the research site was located in Churchill, Manitoba. The study was called "Climate Change at Arctic's Edge" and was led by a truly inspirational professor from the University of Alberta (Pete Kershaw). Our merry band of other volunteers spent a sometimes cold October taking a variety of measurements related to basic research around the melting on the Peat layer. The trip also included a neat train ride up to Churchill from Winnipeg, some lessons in First Nations culture and history, stunning and barren views of the Hudson Bay lowlands, a view of the Northern Lights, and having our research team chased off a site by a Polar Bear! I learned a lot and it really helped put my work and my life into a challenging perspective. And I liked this experience so much, that I signed up for another Earthwatch trip under Dr. Kershaw. This time I traveled up to the NWT of Canada in the Mackenzie Mountain Barrens and studied Climate Change in an entirely different Arctic setting. We arrived via a bush plane from Whitehorse (Yukon) that landed on a gravel strip at MP 222. We then traveled on hour in an ATV and arrived at a rustic, but very comfortable Dechenla Lodge. We also learned more about First Nations culture, the incursions of big game hunting and mining, and some WWII history related to the abandoned Canol Pipeline Project. Most of all, I thoroughly enjoyed being "off grid" for almost 2 weeks. I'm now all in. I currently serve on my employer's Global Earthwatch Steering Group, which selects and trains work colleagues before they head out into the bush for their own adventures. We actively work with the very knowledgeable and helpful staff in the Oxford Earthwatch Office and are very happy with the results. I'm also hoping to return on another Earthwatch Expedition in the near future. Right now I'm thinking about a Climate Change trip in Ecuador, the Churchill Winter Trip (where you stay overnight in an Igloo), or perhaps an Earthwatch Expedition closer to home in Utah, New Mexico, Southern California, or New York City.

I cannot rave enough about Finkley Down Farm. I don't even have kids I can use as an excuse - I…read moresimply come here to relax and spend some time with the animals. The atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful and the abundance of cute greedy animals desperate for you to feed them is nothing short of delightful. Their animals range from goats and sheep to chickens to cows right over to the more unusual llamas and highland cows. Even if you're not into getting close to the animals or feeding them the buckets of food available at the ticket office, just watching them mooch around is still fun and relaxing. The llama took somewhat of a disliking to me (was it something I said?) and stormed at me, looking like it could easily clear the fence and gain its freedom. I wasn't going to hang around to find out. One look at my pathetic retreating hide running off into the distance was enough to reduce its anger to mere disdain, and instead he decided to spit all over me. In some sort of random heroic act, the pig sharing its pen flung itself at the llama as if to take the blow for me, and rather than reflect on the llama soaking I'd been given, I instead watched this pig take one for the team. Right in the eye, no less. From hereonin, I shall name this pig SuperPig. If you do have kids you can pretend are the reason for visiting, there's plenty to keep them occupied. Other than the animals you can feed, there are talks and handling sessions with some of the smaller or baby pets throughout the day. There's also a nice adventure playground and a couple of trampolines to wear them out on too. There's a small gift shop and a place to buy some food, as well as a picnic area if you're sensible enough to bring your own food. I love this place and can't wait to go back when it reopens for the season next year.

A lovely little petting farm for a day out with the family. Entrance fee is very reasonable. Farm…read moreisn't huge by anyone's standards but just about big enough for an afternoons walking about without it being too much for the little/older ones. Lots to see and many activities laid on for the children. Arm them with a bucket of food from the entrance first though or you will find yourself running back for some! On site cafe sells everything from fish & chips to ice cream or just a cuppa. Toilets well sign posted and clean. Lots of basins and hand gel dotted around for after you have touched the animals. Nice staff who are kid friendly. Congratulations to the farm for keeping the gift shop prices low, lots of souvenirs on sale for under £2.