Jon Gulson earns free expedition place
Added to website: 20 January 2003
The Coral Cay Conservation Representative Scheme was launched in March 2001 by encouraging a team of highly motivated ex-volunteers to help us spread the word about the vital work that CCC conducts around the world.
One of these Representatives is Jon Gulson who works in a technical role for the Environment Agency in Bristol. Jon has been with us since the scheme was initiated 2 years ago by Andrea Simmons, Volunteer Recruitment Manager. He participated on a CCC expedition to Danjugan Island in the Philippines in 1999 for 3 weeks. Being an experienced recreational diver and having a background in Marine & Freshwater Biology and Applied Hydrobiology, no doubt aided his motivation and interest into joining a project. Jon wanted to apply his diving into something useful, “as much as I enjoy recreational diving, it was really good to actually do something more on dives, such as conducting the surveys. I also learnt more about underwater species, so now, recreational diving to me is also more enjoyable”. When asked why he decided to become part of the Rep scheme, Jon replied; “I like being part of the Rep scheme. It’s great to see and share the enthusiasm of other volunteers. I’m not usually that keen on giving presentations, but the environment and CCC is something worth standing up for!”.
CCC Representatives are required to act as local liaison officers for new volunteers in their area and must conduct 6 presentations and assist with 3 promotional shows in their area to gain a free 3 week expedition to the location of their choice. Jon is the first of our Representatives to have completed this task and is in the process of applying to an expedition to the Philippines later this year. He has decided to return to the Philippines to claim his free expedition even though he feels it is a tough decision to choose between all the locations we offer. “Although having visited the country before, I know the exceptional quality in coral reefs and the variety of marine species prevalent in the areas CCC work within”.
If you would like to find out more information about joining the Rep scheme or gain advise from an ex Philippines volunteer, please contact Jon directly; jon.gulson@environment-agency.gov.uk
