A gap year opportunity; YOUR SHOUT.

IF you're taking a gap year, why not include an exciting Earthwatch expedition in your travel plans? Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, can help you to expand your knowledge, gain new skills and experience, and enhance your CV and university applications. Earthwatch is inviting volunteers to join its scientists on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. On the 10-day rainforest expedition, you will hike through Las Casas de la Selva forest, helping scientists with tasks such as counting lizards and frogs, or measuring trees. Your support will help scientists who are assessing the results of long-term research into the sustainable use of tropical rainforest land.

The expedition takes place from December 13-22 2009, costing pounds 895. If Costa Rica is among your gap year destinations, then help to save leatherback sea turtles from extinction at one of the most important remaining nesting areas in the Pacific Ocean. On the Earthwatch expedition Costa Rican Sea Turtles, in Las Baulas National Park in Guanacaste province, you will measure and tag nesting leatherbacks, record nest locations and count eggs. Depending on the season you may also relocate threatened nests to a hatchery. Nine-day trips take place from October 2009 to February 2010. In 2009 Earthwatch is offering 350 expeditions to 61 research projects in 31 countries. If you would like to find out how you can make an Earthwatch expedition part of your gap year travels, please call [phone] or visit www.earthwatch.org/europe. Tom Berry, expedition consultant, Earthwatch.