Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In the summer I'm travelling to the remote island of Hoga in Indonesia to spend six weeks with the science organisation Operation Wallacea.

Operation Wallacea conduct biological and conservation management research in remote locations around the world, including Indonesia. These expeditions are carried out with specific wildlife conservation goals, from identifying areas that need protection, through to implementing and assessing conservation management programs. Operation Wallacea's achievements include:

   * the designation of the entire Tukangbesi archipelago as a Marine National Park,

   * the development of sustainable sources of income in collaboration with the local community to replace environmentally destructive practices,

   * the establishment of continued support for sustainable conservation management programmes and income development systems at the target sites

However, it is only with the participation and money given by students like myself that Operation Wallacea's work is possible.

As an undergraduate geography student at the University of Cambridge I will also be collecting data for my dissertation while on the island. This will be testing MacArthur and Wilson's Island Theory of Biogeography by working on coral reefs, which are becoming increasingly vulnerable. I will therefore be collecting data on the quantity and diversity of marine life with increasing distance from the main reef. I then hope to relate my findings to the proposed use of artificial reefs in response to the deteriorating condition of natural reefs. I am really excited about undertaking this research and about the contribution it will make towards Operation Wallacea’s ongoing work on the conservation and protection of the area.

To carry out research on the Hoga’s coral reefs would be truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, it does come at a price, which will be a minimum of £4000. This includes accommodation, food, flights, insurance, a visa, vaccinations and equipment. As a student, this is a really daunting expense but I am determined that it will not prevent my participation. I have therefore organised a fundraising ceilidh and applied for a job for the Easter holidays. However, even wih these contributions there is still a long way to go to meet the costs.

I'd massively appreciate any help you could give to help me on my way and help save the coral reefs!!

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