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: This project allows you to live and work in the heart of Ecuador's Amazon. Here you will be amongst one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the earth where the Amazon meets the foothills of the Andes to co-exist together.

Participating in forest conservation in Ecuador, you will work with one of the well established foundations in the country who own and manage biological research stations in 9 critical and diverse eco-systems throughout Ecuador. You can get involved in a number of activities such as reforestation, research, community and other applied projects helping to protect over 2000 hectares of tropical wet forest.

There are a large number of rainforest 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
- ½ day per week: Kallari 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.

If you want to be excited by travel, if you want to see a side of the world that package tourists can only dream of and if you want to make a difference to the world we live in & get in touch, join the fight against mindless holidays and save some hard-earned cash!

Highlights: 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: Beginner to intermediate Spanish language skills will be extremely useful. 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!

Cost in US$: $1845 for 2 weeks; $257 each additional week

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

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- accommodation & food (3 meals a day)
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers

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: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide 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 Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, 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 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 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