ECOSARA Botanical Research Volunteer

  Paraguay

Encarnacion

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: all year

Description: ECOSARA plant research volunteers will be involved in attempting to inventory and document the plant species recorded in San Rafael. Research volunteers will work as part of a small group overseen by a staff member on current research projects or for those that wish to develop their own projects, alone under the guidance of a staff member who will assist them to ensure that their results are both useful and productive. A file of suggested botanical research projects with detailed instructions is available for volunteers who wish to work alone and are looking for ideas on how to do so. Of course volunteers are able to switch between projects, just because you signed up as a plant volunteer doesn't mean that you can´t also do some work with animals if the fancy takes you!

We encourage ECOSARA research volunteers to publish the results of their work and offer all the assistance necessary to those that wish to do so. For many volunteers the opportunity to see their name in print is something that is extremely appealing. Volunteers will be credited in any publication that uses data which they helped to gather. Volunteers who carry out their own projects will have an informal meeting each evening with staff members to discuss progress and will be expected to produce a brief report of their findings at the end of their stay.

We think that ALL field observations are important and accurate note-taking is part of the daily routine of all volunteers. The study of plants is for the most part a nocturnal pursuit and amphibian volunteers will have ample opportunity to rest during the heat of the day to prepare them for their after-dark endeavours. Daily observations and records will be logged into the San Rafael biodiversity database to keep tabs on amphibian abundance and distribution. Volunteers with a knack for photography are always welcome, we are always looking to boost the photographic database of the parks fauna. In the interests of making data accessible and open to all we collaborate with online database projects such as the FAUNA Paraguay image gallery.

Some projects are ongoing throughout the year, other projects - in situ studies of breeding and vocalisations - are more seasonal. If you have a specific project in mind that you would like to work on, check with us that it isn't seasonal before confirming your dates!

To give you an idea of the sort of work that amphibian volunteers are involved with, here are some of the more popular projects:

- Association of plant species with soil characteristics.
- Plant animal associations, pollination, parasitism or passing through?
- Design and development of identification keys for plants groups.
- Propagation of plant species.
- Microhabitat requirements of plant communities.
- Studies of plant succession.
- Establishment of a plant photographic database for identification purposes.
- Floral seasonality of orchids and Atlantic forest plants.
- Useful plants and how they are used by human populations.
- Edible plants, the San Rafael cook book.
- Friend or foe, how do plants defend themselves against predators?
- Sustainable use of the forest, the answer to San Rafael´s problems?
- Fungi and mushroom inventories, not plants

You don´t need to have any scientific background to be an ECOSARA plant research volunteer, just enthusiasm, a sense of adventure and willingness to get your hands dirty!

Up for it?!

Highlights: Paraguay is one of the most little-visited and under-studied countries in South America, yet it is also amongst the most friendly, safe and traditional. It is the only country in Latin America with an indigenous language as its official language and the influence of the Guarani is apparent in everyday life. Paraguay is for the adventure traveler who likes to experience something a bit different and get themselves as far off the "beaten track" as it is possible to be!

The Atlantic Forest of southern South America is one of the five most rapidly disappearing habitat types on earth. This, coupled with an extraordinary degree of endemism amongst the species that inhabit it led Conservation International to describe the conservation of this unique habitat as of "critical importance for global biodiversity". An extraordinary variety of wildlife inhabit the area around the research station, including the rarely-seen Jaguar, aquatic Capybara, resident troops of monkeys and over 400 species of birds - you'll rise each morning to the chattering of parakeets, jays and toucanets that make a daily raid on the orchard in the garden of the accommodation. San Rafael "National Park" at c70,000ha is the largest remaining block of pristine Atlantic forest remaining in Paraguay, but also its most threatened. This glorious and unique habitat will be your office during the course of your stay and you will be contributing directly to the continued conservation of one of the world´s most precious natural treasures.

This volunteership offers you the unique opportunity to become a scientific author - with the assistance of professional staff you will (if you wish, no pressure!) be able to publish your findings as well as assisting with the writing and preparation of books and educational material. ECOSARA is always careful to credit fully the involvement of every volunteer.

Whilst you are in Paraguay you may be interested in doing a Spanish course. With advance notice ECOSARA is happy to make the arrangements for volunteers wanting to learn or improve their Spanish with the Master Key Professional Language Institute in Encarnación. Courses are available for all levels, consist of 8 x 1.5 hour classes at weekends over the course of your stay and are taught by experienced language teachers licensed by the Paraguayan government department responsible for education, the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (MEC).

Qualifications: You don't need to have any professional background to be an ECOSARA research volunteer, just enthusiasm, a sense of adventure and willingness to get your hands dirty! Of course any professional skills or experience that you may have will come in useful and we are always willing to talk through ways in which we can make the most of your special abilities or ideas.

No CV is necessary to apply, just contact us and we will provide you with all the information necessary to make up your mind. We guarantee that you won't be disappointed!

Cost in US$: $800 per calendar month

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers of all ages, nationalities, religions and sizes are welcome. They should speak either English, Spanish or Portuguese or any combination thereof.

Age Range: any age

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

Participants Travel to Paraguay Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of small groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

ECOSARA's Mission Statement: ECOSARA is a non-profit scientific, conservation and volunteer research station in the heart of the Paraguayan Atlantif forest. ECOSARA's mission is to assist in the conservation of Parque Nacional San Rafael through the study of its biodiversity and highlight the local and international importance of the reserve by widespread dissemination of its findings. It is staffed by professionals and assisted by a constant stream of ecologically-minded volunteers with one stated aim- to help save one of the world's most important but little known Atlantic Forest Reserves, the San Rafael National Park in southern Paraguay.

Year Founded: 2007