About Gnarly Troop

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Why Gnarly Troop?

Gnarly Troop is a leading eco-tourism company with a varied selection of affordable, ethical volunteer projects abroad. Our team is made up of experienced and passionate specialists who are eager to give you the voluntourism vacation of a lifetime!

We act as a gateway to over 150 extraordinary community, wildlife and environmental initiatives all over the world thanks to our great partnerships. Our providers are well diversified, ranging from local community groups to renowned global organizations. All of our projects are carefully vetted to ensure every volunteer experience meets our standards and yours.

We make it our mission to help you make the most of your time abroad and that is why we start by getting to know you and your interests! Gnarly Troop provides you with all of the necessary information to help you make informed decisions about the project, the country and the time of year you want to go.

Our goal is for you to leave your host country with an even greater passion for volunteering and a desire to share your experience with others when you return home.

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Jonathan Gilben and Jonathan Tal met in high school and instantly became friends, bonding over their appetite for travel and adventure. After graduating, they travelled extensively together around Southeast Asia – a captivating experience for them both.

It came as no surprise when they both chose to study Geography. They wanted to learn more about the communities and wildlife they had encountered on their trip. In Gilben’s final year of study he signed up to volunteer with a sea turtles’ project in Mexico in search of an unique ecological experience. His experience was so inspiring that he approached the Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Michmoret, Israel about volunteering; convincing Tal to join him.

Within their first week of volunteering, Gilben and Tal thought up a pilot project where wildlife enthusiasts would come from abroad to volunteer with them. They continued volunteering at the rescue center for two years while they figured out how to bring their idea to fruition. Both Gilben and Tal became increasingly passionate about the sea turtles, deciding to participate in a sea turtle rescue project in Greece. It was on this trip that Gnarly Troop was conceptualized.

Soon after, they pushed the pilot project idea forward with approval from the Israeli Nature Park Authority. In 2006, Gnarly Troop received an official stamp declaring them a business which allowed them to bring international volunteers to the rescue center. They managed to sign up 12 devoted individuals for the first volunteer project, which turned out to be a huge success.

During the first year of operation , Gnarly Troop was primarily focused on bringing volunteers to help with sea turtle conservation along the Mediterranean coast. They then started contacting international NGOs about sending local volunteers overseas to do similar work. One of the first volunteer experiences abroad was a wildlife initiative in South Africa with a partner with whom Gnarly Troop still works with today.
Since launching in 2006, Gnarly Troop has sent thousands of individuals to participate in over 150 volunteer projects around the world. They have also expanded their office to include a passionate team dedicated to offering volunteers the best experiences abroad.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our services. We offer excellent customer service from start to finish. All of our placement coordinators are volunteer tourism experts, providing current and prospective volunteers with accurate, up-to-date information on all of our projects and the countries in which they reside.

As an organization responsible for sending volunteers to foreign countries across the globe, safety is our top priority. We understand our participants’ primary concerns and that’s why we have 24-hour emergency support in addition to on-site and nearby project coordinators available to our volunteers for the entire duration of their project.

Our team is made up of passionate individuals who believe in what we do. Each member brings with them past volunteer experience so that they already understand and appreciate the value of our volunteers’ contributions abroad. We also encourage our team to indulge their passion through frequent trips to local projects.

We operate in close partnership with a variety of organizations across the globe. It is our goal to have the greatest selection of volunteer projects with the widest possible appeal. We are always aiming to cover more ground, forming additional partnerships in new destinations, while ensuring we offer our volunteers innovative opportunities.

We continuously seek out volunteer programs that enable anyone driven to contribute to a cause, the opportunity to participate in a project. We always aim to find a solution to overcome an obstacle, when there are concerns about a disability or a health issue. We strive to tailor our projects to suit our volunteers’ needs so that everyone has the chance to make a difference abroad.

Please refer to our Ethical Values for more information.

Meet the Gnarly Troop team

Jonathan Gilben

Co-Founder & Co-Director

Jonathan leads the daily operations of Gnarly Troop. After completing his B.A. in Environmental Studies, he volunteered at different conservation projects. His positive volunteering experiences led him to believe that other like-minded people would also enjoy similar opportunities. He completed his M.A. degree and went on to create Gnarly Troop with his best friend from high school Jonathan Tal.

Jonathan Tal

Co-Founder & Co-Director

In addition to being a Co-Founder and Co-Director, Jonathan is also the Gnarly Troop Marketing Manager and Systems Manager. He holds a B.A. degree in Geography Studies and has volunteered at wildlife and conservation projects in many countries around the world. Together with high school pal Jonathan Gilben, he founded Gnarly Troop in order to offer other people the chance to be involved in responsible, green tourism.

Donna

Operations Manager

Favorite volunteer experience: I just completed a two-year round-the-world adventure.
Dream volunteer project(s): I'd love to visit the Wildlife Photography & Conservation Project in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. It would be amazing to participate in a 3-day photography course AND walk with lions in the same day.

[email protected]

+1 646 240 4545 Ext. 510

Yan

Israel Field Coordinator

Favorite volunteer experience: I have loved all of the Israel programs and Iceland.
Dream volunteer project(s): Big 5 Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. I would love to see, observe and research lions, elephants and learn more about them!

+1 646 240 4545 Ext. 515

Zoe

Operations

Favorite volunteer experience: Volunteering in Jerusalem, both at a food bank and at a hostel.

Dream volunteer project(s): I would love to volunteer at the Spain - Education and Development in Valencia project.

Favorite volunteer experience: Volunteering in Jerusalem, both at a food bank and at a hostel.

Dream volunteer project(s): I would love to volunteer at the Spain - Education and Development in Valencia project.

[email protected]

+44 203 318 4004 Ext. 510

Aidy

Worldwide Placement Coordinator

Favorite volunteer experience: I volunteered with seniors in Tel Aviv.

Dream volunteer project(s): Cape Town C hildren's Development Program. I would love the opportuntiy.

Favorite volunteer experience: I volunteered with seniors in Tel Aviv.

Dream volunteer project(s): Cape Town C hildren's Development Program. I would love the opportuntiy.

[email protected]

+44 203 318 4004 Ext. 508

Lou

Worldwide Placement Coordinator

Favorite volunteer experience: During my time in Australia I loved spending time working with the animals there.

Dream volunteer project(s): Zimbabwe - African Wildlife Orphanage, because I'd love to contribute to and wildlife conservation.

Favorite volunteer experience: During my time in Australia I loved spending time working with the animals there.

Dream volunteer project(s): Zimbabwe - African Wildlife Orphanage, because I'd love to contribute to and wildlife conservation.

[email protected]

+44 203 318 4004 Ext. 507

Saul

North & South America Placement Coordinator

Favorite volunteer experience: I volunteered a lot when I lived in Spain; I can't choose just one favorite volunteer experience!

Dream volunteer project(s): I'd love to visit the Wildlife Research and Ecological Farming project in Spain. I love farming and Spain is one of my favorite places in the world to be.

Favorite volunteer experience: I volunteered a lot when I lived in Spain; I can't choose just one favorite volunteer experience!

Dream volunteer project(s): I'd love to visit the Wildlife Research and Ecological Farming project in Spain. I love farming and Spain is one of my favorite places in the world to be.

[email protected]

+44 203 318 4004 Ext. 503

Miriam

US & Canada Placement Coordinator

Favorite volunteer experience: Volunteering an at Elephant sanctuary in Thailand was one of the best memories and experiences I've ever had.

Dream volunteer project(s): The Big 5 Wildlife Reserve in the Greater Kruger Area.Going to South Africa and seeing the Big 5 in the wild be a dream come true!

Favorite volunteer experience: Volunteering an at Elephant sanctuary in Thailand was one of the best memories and experiences I've ever had.

Dream volunteer project(s): The Big 5 Wildlife Reserve in the Greater Kruger Area.Going to South Africa and seeing the Big 5 in the wild be a dream come true!

[email protected]

+1 646 240 4545 Ext. 501

Elinor

Finance Manager

Favorite volunteer experience:.Volunteering in an orphanage in South Africa.

Dream volunteer project(s): I would love to go on the Whale Shark and Marine Conservation project in Mozambique! I am an experienced diver who enjoys seeing sea life up-close!

Favorite volunteer experience:.Volunteering in an orphanage in South Africa.

Dream volunteer project(s): I would love to go on the Whale Shark and Marine Conservation project in Mozambique! I am an experienced diver who enjoys seeing sea life up-close!

[email protected]

+1 646 240 4545 Ext. 515

Daniella

Content Manager

Favorite volunteer experience: Volunteering with nurses in a Day Surgery Unit.

Dream volunteer project(s): I'd love to visit the Animal Rescue and Conservation Project in Costa Rica. I love its indigenous wildlife such as sloths!

Favorite volunteer experience: Volunteering with nurses in a Day Surgery Unit.

Dream volunteer project(s): I'd love to visit the Animal Rescue and Conservation Project in Costa Rica. I love its indigenous wildlife such as sloths!

[email protected]

+1 646 240 4545 Ext. 506

Alisa

Content Team

Favorite volunteer experience:.Feeding animals on a small farm during winter in Canada. It was freezing and completely filled with snow, but lot's of fun!

Dream volunteer project(s): Orangutan and Wildlife Rescue Center - Orangutans have a very special place in my heart.

Favorite volunteer experience:.Feeding animals on a small farm during winter in Canada. It was freezing and completely filled with snow, but lot's of fun!

Dream volunteer project(s): Orangutan and Wildlife Rescue Center - Orangutans have a very special place in my heart.

[email protected]

+44 203 318 4004 Ext.504