Volunteering offers many an opportunity of a lifetime, especially when it involves overseas travel and experiences beyond the reach of your average credit card touting tourist.

More and more people are taking the time to discover the world at the same time as offering their skills and hard work to charitable and environmental organisations.

One intrepid young Australian who is following her dream of volunteering overseas is ecologist Anna Greig. Anna’s love for the environment and her passion for the future of the globe has seen her accepted into a highly sort-after spot in a lemur monitoring and protection program in Madagascar.

More than just 3D cartoon characters, lemurs are a crucial insight into the health of our world according to Anna, and she’s determined to help them keep their grip on the island for as long as possible.

“Lemurs fill a lot of niches, they’re like the evolutionary clay from which a whole range of species have evolved,” Anna said.

She will travel to the island off the east coast of Africa in mid-July to donate eight weeks of her time toward a research project studying the behaviour ecology of the miniature mammals.

“It’s really important that we learn as much as possible about these amazing creatures before they disappear off the earth completely, and good science is the tool to achieve this,’’ Anna said.

“I will be working in the zoo for the first week, learning husbandry techniques for lemurs in the captive breeding program, followed by six weeks of field work in Madagascar’s deserts and rainforests,” she said.

``I will be working in a team of 14 volunteers - plus staff - studying lemur species including the well-known ring-tailed lemur, the sifaka and the brown mouse lemur.

“The majority of Madagascar’s population - approximately 17 million - live in poverty and have an average annual income of just 218EURO per annum.

“Meanwhile more than 90 per cent of the country has been deforested.”

In addition to donating her time and skills, Anna is aiming to raise $10,000 to support the project, PBZT and Azafady’s ongoing community aid and conservation work.

“The project is being conducted by UK-based charity group Azafady, in conjunction with Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (The National Botanical and Zoological Gardens of Madagascar) or PBZT.”

By doing this, Anna will also raise awareness about the plight of Madagascar’s people, wildlife and wilderness - “a jewel in the crown of biodiversity that is sadly being lost”.

“Although I’ve done a lot of fundraising for other charities before, it is quite daunting to be doing this on my own,” she said.

“I successfully kicked off my fundraising with a screening of ‘Madagascar’ in early June and now I’m holding an ‘Auction My Artwork’ night, in conjunction with RM Galleries in Hamilton.”

The event, which is set to be held on June 21 from 6-8pm, will see an original artwork (a painting of a cheetah cub) by Anna auctioned off to raise money for the project.

Other artworks will also be on offer by artists Arone Meeks, Annabel Tully, Pete Martin, Desley Rolph, Lyne Marshall and Trisha Lambi.

“RM Galleries – as well as the community – have been a great support to me, donating their time, financial support and gifts for raffles and other things,” she said.

“I greatly appreciate it - it’s really quite humbling.”

RM Galleries is at 9 Queens Road, Hamilton in the historic building known as Palma Rosa.

Anna’s work will be available for viewing from June 14.

For more information on the art auction visit www.rmgalleries.com.au, email info@rmgalleries.com.au or call 3256 1430.

For more information on Azafady visit www.azafady.org.

Anna is also available for further information, an interview or photos on 0416 828 547 or mettaanna@care2.com.