Learn about protecting small volcanic island (8)
I believe the answer is:
dominica
'volcanic island' is the definition.
(I know that Dominica is a volcanic island)
'learn about protecting small' is the wordplay.
'learn' becomes 'do' (do can mean to study something eg at school).
'about' becomes 'ca' (abbreviation for 'circa').
'protecting' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are held or protected).
'small' becomes 'mini' (short for miniature).
'do'+'ca'='doca'
'doca' going around 'mini' is 'DOMINICA'.
(Other definitions for dominica that I've seen before include "former British colony" , "Caribbean island nation" , "Largest of the Windward Islands" , "country" , "Miss Sunday" .)