3 Ways to Do Good (and Feel Good) on Your Next Vacation

...The Water

Pack Your Bag: Earthwatch volunteers set sail during blue whale and humpback whale migrations to record animal behavior. Or they paddle along the New Jersey shore to study the hatching patterns of terrapins. Data collected helps scientists determine how urban development affects marine animals.

Time Commitment: typically 6 to 16 days

Cost: $995 to $5,595, including meals and lodging

Quick Trip: Fish hatcheries and marine wildlife refuges across the country are underfunded and open to volunteers. To choose a location, consult Ecotourists Save the World, coauthored by the National Wildlife Federation.
Next: 6 ways any traveler can make a difference