The Shiripuno Research Center

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 26th of each month

Description: This project allows volunteers to study the butterfly population in Lowlands of the Amazon in Ecuador.

Program Description:
The objective of this project is to study butterflies in the Río Shiripuno, located in the Amazon jungle in Ecuador. The volunteer will be able to measure the diversity of the different species and the abundance of butterflies. From Quito, the volunteer will travel 17 hours 10 hours by bus to Coca, 3 hours by car to Rio Shiripuno and 4 hours by canoe to the center.

Volunteer work activities:
The first week of every month (from the first to the sixth), the volunteer will participate in the following activities: bringing down the traps in the Canopy, reviewing the traps, putting food in the traps, helping to carry the food (-/+ 3kg), reviewing the traps with food, and collecting and identifying the butterflies. During this week, the volunteer will work 8 hours a day. During the other three weeks the volunteer will help to create byways and indicate with signs the byways for the next projects the volunteer only has to work in the mornings.

Duration:
The volunteer must work in Shiripuno a minimum of 1 month. The project starts the 26th of each month.

Highlights: During his/her free time, the volunteer can visit the community of Huaorani de Ñoneno, fish, explore the region in canoe, or see alligators during the night. The free time that the volunteers has is only on the weekend. Normally the volunteers will be in the project site because the nearest town is 4 hours away in canoe.

Qualifications: An intermediate level of Spanish is required. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve his/her Spanish skills before starting the project. We are looking for men and women 18 years or older who are willing to stay at least a month the maximum duration is 6 months.

Cost in US$: 450 /month

Accommodation
The accommodation is basic. The volunteer will sleep in a dorm. There is no electricity and no hot water. The food is provided. To call or to use the Internet the volunteer has to go to Coca - 90 km.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: at least 18 years old

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

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

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