Congal Ecology and Community Development: Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Esmeraldas,  Muisne

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: anytime

Description: CCI works in coordination with United Nations Development Program funded Cooprena RL, Cahuita National Park, Recicaribe, The Costa Rican Ministry for the Environment, The Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and Conservation, Opportunity Access, and Asociacion ANAI winner of the prestigious United Nations Equator Award and many other national and international programs dedicated to providing volunteer services where they are needed most.

The Congal Reserve was created in 2000 and is located in southwestern Esmeraldas province, close to the town of Muisne. The Congal Reserve features beach, estuarine, mangrove, wetlands and humid tropical forest habitats which account for the regions high biodiversity and local endemism. Congal is part of the Mangrove Wild Life Refugee of Muisne and is in the buffer zone of the Mache Chindul National Ecology Reserve. The Reserve influences over 500 hundred hectares of publicly owned mangroves and was the first mangrove reserve of it kind created in the Muisne area.

Highlights: Volunteers will be able to participate in projects including mangrove and tropical humid forest restoration, marine conservation, community outreach and direct involvement, management of aquaculture and forestry systems, organic farming, biological inventories and maintenance of Reserve facilities. The raising of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species is one of the main projects being developed at Congal. It includes land crabs, agouti, fish, clam species and organic shrimp, and in the future green iguana hatchlings. Since October 2004, the Reserve is carrying out a sea turtle monitoring program in order to determine their conservation status.

8 Day Program Schedule

    - Day 1   Arrive Quito
    - Day 2-4 Volunteer Project
    - Day 5   Recreation Activities
    - Day 6-7 Volunteer Project
    - Day 8   Return to USA

14 Day Program

    - Day 1    Arrive Quito
    - Day 2-7   Volunteer Project
    - Day 8-10 Recreation Trip
    - Day 11-13 Volunteer Project
    - Day 14    Return to USA

Rest and Recreation

The project is located on what is one of Ecuador's most beautiful beaches and provides ample opportunities for a variety of beach activities such as snorkeling and boogie boarding. Other possible activities include rain forest hiking, rafting, and horseback riding. Costs for all mid program recreational activities are included in the program fee.

Qualifications: Passport, 16 or over, fill out application and sign volunteer agreement.

Cost in US$: $696-1 week, $1296- 2 weeks

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Typical volunteer is between ages 16-36.

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

Participants Travel to Ecuador in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Community Collaborations International's Mission Statement: CCI has managed over 1000 volunteers from thirty Universities and other groups providing disaster relief and completing environmental and human service projects internationally. Since 1994, we have provided technical assistance and program development support to conservation and educational organizations nationally and internationally. CCI works in coordination with United Nations Development Program funded Cooprena RL, Cahuita National Park, Recicaribe, The Costa Rican Ministry for the Environment, The Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and Conservation, Opportunity Access, and Asociacion ANAI winner of the prestigious United Nations Equator Award and many other national and international programs dedicated to providing volunteer services where they are needed most.

Year Founded: 1994