【推荐1】For many travelers these days, finding a way to make travel more meaningful has become a top priority. They are increasingly pursuing journeys that include time to volunteer, work on a conservation project, protect endangered animals or to do other activities that allow for giving back while exploring a new part of the world. Here are some opportunities that combine travel with doing good deeds.

The Azores

The trips offer the opportunity to work on carefully selected projects with famous scientists while also enjoying meetings with some of the world’s most attractive sea creatures in water. It allows participants to join a research team in the Azores that’s studying the animals to support future protection of the species. Advanced diving experience is required.

Red Sea, Egypt

Combining an opportunity for world-class diving with being part of an important research effort conducted by Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association. The seven-night trip includes learning how to gather water data with the latest scientific equipment and conducting onboard and underwater experiments.

Australia

Explore Queensland, Australia, while also supporting a registered charity that rescues farm animals from abuse, neglect, and situations where they’re in danger. Participants help with daily cleaning of barns (牲口圈) and cages, feeding, health checks, light repair, monitoring animals’ movements, and intensive care of ill, old and baby animals. The experience includes free accommodations with WiFi and a swimming pool.

Romania

Work with bears at Romania’s largest bear sanctuary (庇护所), a place that was created as a heaven for bears that have been treated in a cruel way. Located in the Carpathian Mountains, the sanctuary needs volunteers to help with preparing food, monitoring animal health and leading conservation tours. The sanctuary is home to 84 bears, with 20 more due to be rescued.

【推荐2】Four of the World’s Greatest National Parks

Location: Indonesia; Area: 1,733 km²

Home to the world’s largest lizard (蜥蜴), the Komodo dragon, Komodo National Park is made up of 29 islands. The park’s three main islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar make ideal destinations for divers, as the coral reefs support an amount of oceanic diversity. With over 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of coral, and countless sea animals, this is an ideal spot to swim with whales, dolphins and more.

Location: Namibia; Area: 49,768 km²

In the world’s oldest desert, the landscape moves. The golden dunes (沙丘) shift as winds blow and seasons pass. Visitors come to explore the dunes and it can be a real adventure. You’ll need a permit and doctor’s letter to take on the longer hikes, but one-day hikes give anyone a chance to see more of the Namib.

Location: New Zealand; Area: 795 km²

As New Zealand’s oldest national park, Tongariro National Park is home to three active volcanoes. And here’s the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 19.4-kilometr e hike that takes you across beautiful landscapes. This park also draws in skiers during the winter seasons. The biggest ski area, Whakapapa, covers 5.5k m² 2 and has 15 lifts in all.

Location: Tenerife, Spain; Area: 190 km²

This park is home to Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. With a height of 3,718 metres, Mount Teide is also the third largest volcanic structure on the planet. Besides, Teide National Park possesses unique plants. The most unusual among the 139 recorded species is red bugloss.

【推荐2】Short Short Story Competition

We’re looking for short fiction stories! Think you can write a winning story in 1,500 words or less? Enter the 21st Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win $3,000 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever popular Writer’s Digest Conference!

Prizes

The First Place Winner will receive：

●$3,000 in cash

●Their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September 2021 issue

●A paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference

The Second Place Winner will receive:

●$1,500 in cash

●Their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September 2021 issue

The Third Place Winner will receive:

●$500 in cash

●Their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September 2021 issue

Fourth through Tenth Place Winners will receive:

●$100 in cash

●Their short story titles published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September 2021 issue

Eleventh through Twenty-Fifth Place Winners will receive:

●A $50 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com

How to Enter

●All entries must be submitted online. Entries must be accompanied by the required judging fee. We accept PayPal or credit card payment for the required judging fee.

●All entries must be in English. Only original works that have not been published in print, digital or online publications will be considered

●BE SURE OF YOUR WORD COUNT! Entries beyond the word limits will be disqualified. Type the exact word count at the top of the manuscript(稿件).

For more information visit our Preparing Your Entry Page or our FAQ page.