Ethics at the Heart of Our Work
One of the biggest questions we ask ourselves at Flooglebinder is: “Should we be here?”
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of adventure, new places, wild landscapes, the sense of freedom that travel brings. But beneath every trip we run, there’s a deeper responsibility. To the people who live in the places we visit. To the animals and ecosystems we step into. And to the young people we’re helping shape.
For us, ethics is something we build into every decision from the start.
Ok Flooglebinder, but what does that actually look like?
It looks like saying no to experiences that might seem exciting on the surface, but do more harm than good. No elephant rides. No animal selfies. No experiences where wildlife is handled or distressed for entertainment. We’ve seen too much to pretend those things are harmless.
It looks like working with local partners who are already doing great things on the ground and supporting them, not taking over. Whether it’s a reforestation project, a sea turtle rescue centre, or a marine conservation lab, we’re there to learn, to help, and to tread lightly.
It means listening, especially when we’re guests in someone else’s culture. And it means preparing our students to do the same: to ask questions, to challenge assumptions, and to understand their role in the bigger picture.
It also means accepting that we don’t always get it right. That ethics is something alive, something we have to keep revisiting, reflecting on, and improving. We regularly review our trips, update our policies, and invite feedback from students, partners, staff, and local communities.
But no one can be perfect? Well, it’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being aware. And honest. And committed to doing things better, even when it takes more time, or more work, or costs a little more.
When a student sits quietly in the middle of a forest, or watches a sea turtle being released into the ocean, or hears a conservationist speak about the impact of climate change on their own community, we want them to know they’re part of something that’s trying to do the right thing. That their adventure isn’t just a story to tell, but a step toward something more meaningful.
That’s what ethical travel means to us.
