Galapagos Islands Ecology and Community Development Project

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands

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

Description: CCI 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. Director Steve Boisvert is the author of Introduction to Natural Resource Management Careers and has been a conservation leader for over twenty years. He has provided consulting services to the Corporation for National Service, The U.S. Forest Service, The White House Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, and has been appointed by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to a Regional Advisory Committee which funds conservation projects in Alaska.

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.

Highlights: This project is located at the San Cristobal-Galapagos Biological Research Station. The objective is to establish a working field research station for the development of conservation and development initiatives in the highland regions of San Cristobal in the Galapagos Island chain.

The remains of the native forest on the island have been significantly reduced from their original size given the agricultural activities on the island during past years. Additionally, many of the original plants have been replaced with foreign species introduced to the islands by humans, such as Cedar and Cascarilla, which years earlier, had great economic value. Therefore, the station started a forest nursery in order to promote the recovery of the natural areas and native species.

The station is also working with local farm owners in efforts to develop organic agricultural alternatives for fruit and vegetable production with an end goal to sell the products to the local populations on the island. Due to the importation of agricultural products from the continent, everyday new exotic species are being introduced to the island. The volunteers will participate in the restoration of habitats and the organic agriculture component.

Once a week, the volunteers will have the opportunity to go along with personnel from the station on hikes and excursions to tourist sites that are ecologically important (a natural lake, beaches, native forests) for teaching visitors about the ecological issues within and the social dynamics of the Galapagos Islands.

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to support the research and monitoring of the diverse projects that are developed on the reserve.

8 Day Program Schedule

    * Day 1   Arrive in Quito
    * Day 2   Transfer to Galapagos
    * Day 3-4 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    Transfer to Galapagos
    * Day 3-7   Volunteer Project
    * Day 8-9   Recreation trip
    * Day 10-13 Volunteer Project
    * Day 14    Return to USA

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

Cost in US$: $89 per day, $1296.00- 2 weeks

It does not pay for International Airfare (CCI will assist in getting the lowest rates for your group) , airfare from Quito to San Cristabol and return (about $360.00), or the $100.00 per person Galapagos National Park Fee.

Experience Required: no

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

Age Range: 16- 60 years old

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

Participants Travel to Ecuador in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 20 or more

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