Environmental Volunteer in Ecuador!

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Esmeraldas,  Pichincha,  San Cristobal,  Yunguilla,  Guaranda,  Rio Blanco

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Open throughout the year

Description: Few countries have such a desperate need for conservation as Ecuador. Just 50 years ago, moist tropical forest with an astounding diversity of plant and wildlife covered almost the whole of the Pacific coastal strip of Ecuador. Now, less than one per cent of it remains and soon ' due to agriculture and the continual intrusion from petroleum industries ' even that fraction will be gone. This doesn't compare with how the natural life flow of the indigenous tribes has been disrupted.

The Global Volunteer Network currently offers volunteer opportunities through our partner organization in Ecuador. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in the programs of six different biological reserves, contributing to biodiversity conservation, community development and sustainable use of natural resources.

All volunteers will participate in maintenance and development of the infrastructure of these stations, as well as the activities listed below. Volunteers are not tourists and are expected to work full days like all other employees of the station. Interns should be able to undertake strenuous and sometimes tedious labor in a hot tropical climate under primitive living conditions.

The following activities are available in the Ecuador reserves, although what is available varies between reserves and some activities are dependent on season.

Plant Conservation: collecting seeds, reforestation, medicinal plant garden development, nursery work, and clearing areas of invasive species.
Community Work: teaching English in local schools, environmental education and community visits.
Sustainable Income Generation: implementation of sustainable agriculture and aquaculture projects, crafts and agro-forestry.
Supporting Local Research: assisting in collecting data for local research
Wildlife: monitoring projects with birds and bears.

There are eight reserves available:

Amazon: The Amazon Biological Reserve in located in the province of Napo in Ecuador. Of the seven stations, Amazon is the oldest, and was created in 1986 out of the need to have a conservation, investigation and education centre to host scientists and students interested in the tropical rainforests. The present size of this reserve is 2 000 hectares, created by donations from various individuals and organizations concerned with the rapid loss of the tropical rainforests in the Amazon and the world. This reserve is located in an Alpha Biodiversity Hot Spot, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.

Bilsa: The Bilsa reserve conserves a critical remnant of Ecuador's coastal pre-montane wet forest, of which less than 1% remains. Located in the Mache Mountains in the north western coastal province of Esmeraldas, this remnant of forest has a unique composition of flora and fauna, internationally renowned for both its diversity and rarity. The region's rugged topography (300 to 800 meters) and the coastal climate create a dense fog, which shrouds all of Bilsa's steeper ridges. Rare animals found at the reserve include the Jaguar, several small cat species, the Long Wattled Umbrella Bird, the Giant Anteater and abundant populations of the threatened Mantled Howler Monkey.

Congal: The Congal Biological Research Station was founded in 2001 in order to protect Ecuador's endangered coastal ecosystems. The area features primary tropical rainforest, beach, natural regeneration, mangrove, estuarine habitat, wetland and wet tropical forest, diverse habitats which account for the regions high biodiversity and local endemism. The Congal reserve covers 250 hectares of mangrove forest on an island in the Muisne estuary, home to a variety of animals including three-toed sloths, armadillos, bottle-nosed dolphins, swimming crabs, and frigatebird colonies.

La Hesperia: The 814 hectare Hesperia Biological Station is situated in the western lower reaches of the Andes, 1100 to 2040 metres above sea level. This diverse reserve spans over evergreen, low montane and tropical cloud forest. More than three hundred bird species have been identified at La Hesperia; 19 are endemic to the region, and 7 are vulnerable or in danger of extinction. Although the area is extremely important for the conservation of biodiversity, deforestation remains a threat.

Lalo Loor: The Lalo Loor Dry Forest Biological Station is located in the Northern Manabi Province on Ecuador's coast. The site begins at the beach and moves inland into the coastal foothills of the region. The goal of the reserve is to work towards the preservation and conservation of the unique transitional dry forest ecosystem found in the area. First, and foremost, by protecting existing forests and restoring degraded areas within and outside the reserve. As the reserve develops, we will have a number of conservation projects focused on the restoration of the natural ecosystems, environmental education, and income generation.

San Cristobal: The San Cristobal Biological Station is located on the Galapagos Islands, off the west coast of Ecuador. The recently established reserve was established on a 200 hectare site in the highlands of San Cristobal Island. The objectives of the project are to reconstruct the original forests on the island, and to provide viable agricultural products for the local population to grow. Volunteers will work on habitat restoration and agricultural sustainability while at the reserve. In addition foundation staff will lead volunteers on explorations of lagoons, native forests, beaches, and the local villages, to explain the ecological and human dynamic of Galapagos.

Highlights: Volunteers can participate from 2 weeks to six months, although it may be possible to stay for longer in special cases. Start dates are flexible and volunteers can start anytime of the month, but all volunteers need to attend an orientation session in Quito before traveling to their reserve of choice. Orientation sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.

A special visa is required to remain in Ecuador for more than 90 days. Volunteers are expected to work 22 days per month. Eight vacation days per month can be used upon approval by project coordinator. Volunteers are expected to work an average of 6 to 8 hours per day, depending on the activities they carry out.

Qualifications: Volunteers are required to be 18 years or over, have no major health problems, be moderately fit, and be proficient in English or Spanish

Cost in US$: See Website

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years and up

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-45

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement: The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a private, Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our incorporation number is WN/1194442. Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

Year Founded: 2000