Amazon Rainforest Conservation & Community Development

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 15 Aug to 19 Sep 2008, 03 Oct to 07 Nov 2008, 03 Oct to 12 Dec 2008, 07 Nov to 12 Dec 2008, 09 Jan to 13 Feb 2009, 09 Jan to 20 Mar 2009...

Description: Volunteer in the Amazon rainforest on this wildlife conservation expedition based deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest. For either five or ten weeks, volunteers will live in a remote area to experience the rainforest's rich biodiversity, support rainforest conservation, work towards community development and become a valued member of our wildlife research team!

This rainforest conservation and community development expedition is aimed towards the environmental protection of the Amazon Rainforest. As the home of more than one-third of all known species in the world, the Amazon Rainforest has an unparalleled diversity of flora and fauna. Yet the Amazon Rainforest has been depleted by 40% in the last 35 years, causing the loss of biodiversity and potentially accelerating the rates of global warming. This wildlife research expedition takes volunteers to a spectacular area of the Amazon Rainforest to help the conservation of this vital natural resource. For either five or ten weeks you will live in a remote part of the Ecuadorian Amazon and contribute towards rainforest conservation and community development. Located in on the Napo River between the cities of Tena and Coca in the eastern part of Ecuador, the volunteering expedition is only accessible by motorised canoe. Therefore this Amazon expedition is not only a worthwhile experience but provides you with a unique and off-the-beaten-track way to spend part of a gap year, sabbatical or holiday.

Whether you are looking for a career in conservation or just want to go on the trip of a lifetime, volunteering in the Amazon will give you fantastic new skills and experience. During the initial stages of the expedition, you will be equipped with all the necessary knowledge to become a fully-fledged member of the team. Volunteers then go on to carry out scientific field research, which has the overall aim of wildlife and rainforest conservation. Working alongside professional researchers, you will be involved in tracking and identifying species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, butterflies and plant species, as well as aiding the maintenance of a permanent, full-time biological field station to generate national and international conservation interest.

Volunteers will also be involved in different aspects of community development, when you will interact with the locals and learn about their rich and interesting cultures. You will also work alongside students and teachers who come from the indigenous and colonist communities, to be absorbed by the native culture and learn about their different values, attitudes and beliefs.

Highlights: What's Included?
* Pre-departure support
* Airport pick-up and transfer to base
* Food and accommodation
* Training materials and science equipment
* Informal Spanish tuition
* Introduction to TEFL training
* Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques
* Overnight satellite camps in the forest to explore the reserve
* Four-day Amazonian adventure exploration side trip (one per each five week phase)
* Bush craft and survival skills
* An internationally recognised Emergency First Response first aid course
* 24 hour in-country support
* 24 hour emergency phone line in the UK
* A free Careers Abroad fieldwork placement and job vacancy service for all former expedition members (successful placements depend upon aptitude and attitudes)
* Discounted access to Smugmug services, a secure way of storing your photos while travelling.

Cost in US$: GBP 1345 / $2690 (US) / EUR 1885

Experience Required: yes

No previous experience or foreign language skills are required to join this expedition, but expedition members must be 18 years of age or older and speak English. Additionally, all volunteers must be strong swimmers (able to swim 300m) and be physically fit as the environment is demanding. Spanish is not essential for this expedition but participants will benefit much more from the community interaction if they have some basic phrases. All volunteers must be team players and assist each other and the staff on a daily basis.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Year Founded: 2006