Amazon Rainforest Preservation - Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: It's no wonder that this sanctuary splits its time between protecting the environment and animals because the futures of both are interlinked. The other similarity is that both will wow you when you first set foot here! The Parque Amazonica La Isla intends to replicate the Amazonian ecosystem and is full of flora and fauna as well as monkeys, tapirs, macaws, toucans and caymans. If you've got a passion for animals you're probably keen to protect their habitats too, and this project gives you experience of both as well as guiding tourists around the centre. In your spare time you can also enjoy all the other pleasures of jungle life like white-water rafting, hiking and kayaking.

*Project details:
Working with one of the two largest NGOs in Ecuador. Its first station now protects about 2,000 hectares (4,940 acres) of tropical wet forest, of which 70% is primary forest and the remainder is secondary growth. Field research has demonstrated that the forest is also among the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. In 1993, the International Children's Rainforest Network declared Jatun Sacha the 2nd Children's Rainforest of the World. There are 18 staff, who are all very welcoming and keen to help volunteers whenever possible.

The Station is located on the southern bank of the Upper Napo River, at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level, in the Province of Napo. The average yearly temperature is 25 degrees C, it rains close to 5,000 mm per year on an average of 200 rainy days. The lowest Rainfall is during the months between November to January and the highest occurs between April to July. June is normally the wettest month of the year.

There are approximately 250 different species of trees in one hectare, and close to 1,500 species of plants in the same area. 17 new species were found within the reserve. There are 112 species of reptiles and amphibians, 222 species of orchids, and 51 species of mammals (among them pumas and jaguars), so far.

*Why the project needs volunteers:
With deforestation being Ecuador's largest environmental problem, a huge effort is now being made by both national and private reserves across the country to preserve what remains. Much of the work at these reserves is dependant on having the necessary labour. That is not to say that it would not get completed without i-to-i volunteers, but it would certainly take much much longer!

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* Playing your part in the preservation of the Amazon rainforest!
* Experiencing real jungle life
* Exploring in your spare time - rafting, hiking and kayaking are all possible

Living and working in the Amazon Jungle!

There are approximately 250 different species of trees in one hectare, and close to 1,500 species of plants in the same area. 17 new species were found within the reserve. There are 112 species of reptiles and amphibians, 222 species of orchids, and 51 species of mammals (among them pumas and jaguars), so far.

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
General fitness and lots of enthusiasm is definitely needed for all the reserves. Volunteers also need to be ready to take on any tasks that may be required of them, and to get dirty in the process!

Your role as a volunteer:
There are a large number of conservation activities that you could get involved with. Typical examples of activities could include:

Planting seeds, re-potting, weeding, cutting roof material, and constructing habitats (for example, a new pond for fish, cayman and turtles). Work here is structured and varied. A typical timetable might be:

    * 2 days a week: organic farm project
    * 2 days a week: centre for conservation of Amazonian plants
    * 1/2 day per week: handicraft project
    * 1 day a week: trekking into the jungle
    * 1 day a week: lecture on a specific subject

Additionally, everyone generally takes a turn at spending a day on kitchen duty and going into the forest with the park guards.

Cost in US$: USD 1,865.00 for 2 weeks, USD 290.00 for every week thereafter

* Accommodation: Shared jungle cabins
* Food: All meals
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

When you go on an i-to-i volunteer program we want you to have the best possible time abroad, so we include these important services.

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instruction
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- contact details to pass along to your family

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 17-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994