Saving the oceans, one reef at a time

Hi! My name is Savannah Milling, I am 25 years old from a small town in Georgia. I dedicated 2019 to self growth an discovery and thought the perfect way to do this was volunteering abroad to give back to our Ocean.

I chose Australia and the Marine Conservation Project because ever since I was a little girl I have always dreamed of swimming at the Great Barrier Reef. As I grew older my love for the ocean and animals has only grown stronger. My plans were to attend University of South Florida and get my Bachelor's in Marine Biology; however, life seemed to get in the way of those dreams. I tried my hardest to find a more practical career, except with every step of the way all I could think about was the Ocean and what I was giving up. I would rather give up everything I ever knew in life to go study the animals in the oceans. And to have that passion, and knowing that what my small part was making a difference on a enormous scale, is way more valuable than a career with a six figure salary. Thus in the end I gave it up.

Until now. After having my son I decided it was time for me to quit making excuses and to show not only him, but myself that anything is possible. I enrolled in an Associates of Veterinarian Technology Program as a starter. And now have decided that this adventure would benefit me in more ways than one. Not only would it look good for future job aspects once I graduate, but also allows me a chance to re-find myself. Which ultimately is the most important to me. For so long I have been trying to run away from my dreams. From trying to change career choices, to now being a stay at home mom, I always find a reason as to why I could not see my dreams through and now is my opportunity to seize the day.

So with all that being said, I can't do this adventure without some help. The program fee and travelers insurance alone are $3500 for 3 weeks in Cairns, Australia. I will be spending Monday through Friday volunteering on the local islands doing reef monitoring, marine debris collection and research, and working at at sea turtle rehabilitation center. All of this would be a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

Please help get a small town Georgia girl to the Great Barrier Reef!

(Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated and will be put towards program fees and travelers insurance, any extra money that is raised will go to the local Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center located off of Cairns, Australia)