Investigation, Recovery, and Conservation Project in the Tropical Rain Forest of Choco in Puerto Quito

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Pichincha

Durations of Program: 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: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year through

Description: The project is based on the necessity to protect the remaining forests surrounding the canton of Puerto Quito in the Pichincha province, which are seriously menaced while already scarce. Puerto Quito is situated at 140 kilometers east of Quito, it has a warm and humid climate with an incredible biodiversity.

About 70% of the activities take place inside the Itapoa natural reserve and about 30% in farms of neighbors involved in the project. We integrate neighbors into the project who are interested in handing soil of their property back to nature, developing clear proposals for the recovery of the natural area and creating management programs to achieve this goal. We also assist them with volunteer work, know-how, seeds and plants besides the management programs. At the same time, we create an environmental consciousness among the local people. The project is all about contact with nature, so the tasks and roles of our staff are dedicated to the maintenance and protection of the area. It depends on the specific work, but usually not less than 2 persons work in a project, and we are looking for up to 6 volunteers.

Our volunteer project is strictly non-profit and has limited resources at its disposal. It seems to us an excellent way of reaching the minds of people and a wonderful experience for both parts: the locals as well as the volunteers find pleasure in the need to protect the environment.

Volunteers' Activities:
Maintenance of the nurseries, sow plants, taking care of the gardens and fruit plants, observation of birds and mammals, collecting seeds and teaching the locals love for nature. The volunteer will improve his knowledge about the necessity of conserving nature, about its protection and regeneration, and make an excellent experience in working in a natural environment.

Duration:
The project runs the whole year through and you can start at any time. You should arrive at least one day in advance to receive an introduction. We work between 5 and 6 days a week.

Highlights: Free Time and Recreational Activities
*Free days are possible if desired. The volunteer can dedicate his free time to the observation of animals, night walks or trips to the rivers and waterfalls.

Services Close to the Community
*The project is situated at a 2 kilometers distance from the village where you can find all kinds of basic services such as internet, telephone, doctors, pharmacies, markets and so on. The nearest bank is at 30 transport minutes from Puerto Quito, in la Concordia. Near the village there are beautiful forests, rivers and waterfalls to discover.

Qualifications: The most important thing to bring is love for nature, the rest you can learn. But if there are persons with special skills on plants or animals, they are very welcome. A basic knowledge of Spanish is required.

Cost in US$: free

Each volunteer has the option to prepare his own food or share with others, as he wishes. We provide basic things like oil, rice, sugar, coffee and fruits. Vegetarian food is possible. At the beginning there will be an instruction to get to know more about the area and the need to protect it. The volunteer will also receive general training on plants and the observation of animals (if he wishes so) and orientation about adequate behavior in the rain forest as well as towards the local people.

Experience Required: yes

Persons with special skills on plants or animals are very welcome. A basic knowledge of Spanish is required. Volunteers should be aware that they are visiting a tropical place full of life, including a lot of insects and heat.

Age Range: at least 18

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

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of at least 2

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Ecuador Volunteer Foundation's Mission Statement: We are Ecuador Volunteer, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1999 committed to the provision of volunteering opportunities in social, educational and community development in Ecuador. Voluntary work opportunities based around Quito and main programs offer experiences of cultural exchanges, work and help with local people. We arrange voluntary placements in the environmental or community area. The environmental involves working in nature on a wide variety of projects, the community works are about helping street children, elderly people and educating people. We dedicate ourselves to alternative solutions to these problems, to make a difference and create a better world in Ecuador.

Year Founded: 1999