Having a mockingbird undo your shoelaces, or a sea lion come within a matter of feet to take a look at you. If you really establish your presence in an area, you can bring a lot more to the table. It's very exciting to me that in magnificent areas, you are really part of the community, not just an interloper. In the Galapagos, Lindblad established the Galapagos Conservation Fund in 1998 to offer support through the community. He works with the National Park Service there, as well as the prestigious Charles Darwin Research Center, and works to not only encourage the local community to work with visitors, but also for visitors to become involved with the community.
Donations are just one way visitors feel they can help.
During the oil spill emergency, the company's network of contacts on the islands helped provide a constant flow of information, offers of donations, and volunteer help. Although, as he pointed out, it may take years to fully assess the damage done. We sometimes need disasters to wake up. Lindblad asked, rhetorically. The bullet's been dodged, the fuel spill news is off the front page.