12 Ways to Practice Regenerative Travel and Heal the Planet While You Explore

3. Support habitat restoration projects while visiting

Join short volunteer days or donate to restoration projects that have clear monitoring and local leadership. Coastal destinations often host coral or kelp restoration programs where visitors can help out with supervised activities. In the Florida Keys and parts of California, reef and kelp restoration projects publish survival and growth metrics; consider supporting projects that report on survival rates and area restored. Before signing up, confirm whether the activity requires specific training, whether it disrupts wildlife, and how volunteers are supervised. Prioritize projects with strong scientific partnerships; these programs tend to publish results and refine methods over time. Even short, well-run volunteer days can boost local capacity while giving travelers a grounded way to contribute, as long as the work aligns with local priorities and researchers lead monitoring efforts (Journeys with Purpose; Travel and Tour World).