PhD Candidate in Conservation, Bournemouth University
Zach Boakes is a PhD Candidate studying coral reef conservation in Indonesia.
Zach is the project manager and research coordinator of an Indonesian NGO which he co-founded in 2017.
The volunteering, non-profit organisation aims to conserve coral reef ecosystems, whilst providing local people with sustainable livelihoods. As Project Manager, Zach is responsible for overseeing a team of fishermen and international volunteers to run projects including building Indonesia’s largest artificial reef, establishing a plastic recycling centre and creating a conservation and sustainable living educational programme, taught to over 500 children.
In addition, Zach oversees an internationally funded artificial reef research programme and a turtle conservation area which is supported by the Indonesian government.