Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25253
TRIPS EICHENSEHER IS THE HUMAN RACE ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH WATER SCARCITY AND POLLUTION? DO YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? QUIT YOUR JOB- OR TAKE TIME OFF-AND INVEST IN THE PLANET'S FUTURE BY BUILDING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE OR PROTECTING WATER SOURCES. It's 90 degrees outside, in the South African bush, and you're under the noon sun sweating through your shirt as you dig trenches and lay pipe. Your back aches and your throat is dry, but every second you stall could mean one more illness caused by drinking polluted water. The glaring sun is completely unforgiving, and you ask yourself why you're spending your two weeks' break from work in the company of sanitation crews and environmental engineers. For the love of water, of course, and a desire to contribute to its safe and fair global access. You're not alone. All over the world, travelers are devoting their time to improving water resources for populations that aren't getting enough clean liquid gold or that suffer from the pollution of their oceans, rivers. and seas. The rainwater catchment basins you help assemble in Bangladesh. or the native plants you help to restore to the banks of the Green River in Kentucky. will improve water quality and increase water quantity, bringing us one step closer to averting global crisis disaster. Of cour,se this will not be an easy fight. but devoting your time to water conservation could be even more rewarding than summiting Everest. navigating the slopes of Chamonix, or running the Rio Futaleufu. RATINGS 00 {) CD CD 00 o The Green River quietly meanders through the gentle hills of Mammoth Cave National Park. Working in conjunction with the Sierra Club and the National Park Service, you will restore native plants, to the banks of the Green River and help improve riparian (stream,side) habitat. After a few days of battling invasive species, you'll have the option to explore Mammoth Cave, part of the world's longest recorded cave system. Volunteers work closely with park naturalists and scientists to get the most out of their experience. www.sierraclub.orgjoutingsjnational, 415-977-5522, http://national.outings@sierraclub.org; 1 week; June 1-7; 8-16 participants, $250 BLUE.COM .