Journeys Within extends its philanthropic reach underwater

(I-TravelNewswire.Com, March 21, 2013 ) Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Turning an old friendship into a new partnership, Journeys Within founder Andrea Ross has joined forces with a former classmate in an effort to preserve the world’s largest underwater animals.

Journeys Within is proud to announce Ross as the newest board member to join long-time friend Dr. Andrea Marshall’s Mozambique based organization, Marine Megafauna Foundation.

Created in 2009, the Marine Megafauna Foundation works to research and protect populations of large marine species including sharks, rays, marine mammals and turtles that are found along the Mozambican coastline.

“We have long known the power of philanthropic travel when it comes to community development and our work in Southeast Asia has only highlighted that. When done right, travel can have a truly positive impact. The trips run by Marine Megafauna not only raise money for conservation, but also give travelers a new appreciation for the oceans and their creatures,” said Ross. “To me the power of these travelers in ocean conservation hasn’t even been tapped into yet so being on the board and looking at how this might happen is incredibly exciting.”

Ross got involved with the Marine Megafauna Foundation in 2012 after she and Marshall combined their expertise and mutual passion for giving back in the form of a two-week educational tour in Myanmar for a dozen interested guests. A Conde Nast travel expert for the area, Ross handled the land-based tour of Myanmar – including a visit to an orphanage supported by Journeys Within -- while Marshall provided a week of expert-led diving with giant manta rays among some of the best reefs in Asia.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Andrea, not just because we’ve been friends for so long, but also because Journeys Within and Journeys Within Our Community have been able to take the ‘see a problem, solve a problem’ mentality and make amazing changes in their communities,” said Marshall. “I think that slogan captures what we’re all trying to do here, whether through community development, education or conservation the idea is to figure out what’s wrong and then fix it.”

Both Ross and Marshall have received international recognition for work in their respective fields. Ross has been called a pioneer in philanthropic travel, receiving the Conde Nast World Savers award for her company’s work in Cambodia; Marshall is the first ever recipient of a PhD in the field of manta rays and the star of Natural World BBC Documentary, Manta Queen.

Pioneers in philanthropic travel, Journeys Within is proud to offer our guests with the opportunity to make a difference by getting involved during their stay. Journeys Within Tour Company and Boutique Properties was awarded a Conde Nast World Savers award in 2008 for their work in Cambodia providing clean drinking water to villages and university scholarships to local students. ; www.journeys-within.com

Marine Megafauna is a registered charity that focuses on research, education and conservation of marine megafauna founded along the Mozambican coastline, with a focus on endangered species. In addition to this world-leading research programs in Mozambique, MMF’s scientific work includes projects in: Ecuador, Mexico, Honduras, Myanmar, Indonesia, Qatar, Tanzania and Brazil.

http://www.marinemegafauna.org/

Journeys Within

Stephanie Parnell

8327557661

stephanie@adventuremedianews.com

Source: EmailWire.Com