Help saving the Amazon Rainforest at a Biological Research Station

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Arrival in Quito every Sunday and Program starts every Monday

Description: Don't wonder what the Amazon Jungle is like, experience it! Come to the Amazon and learn about what exists in this wild domain. But don't just marvel in it's diversity help preserve it for future generations. Be part of the solution!

The Amazon Biological Station is located at a thin strip of the Tropical Wet Forest connecting the Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River Basin labeled as one of the most biological diverse areas, and an Alpha Biodiversity Hot Spot. The Biological Station, created in 1986, is a center for field research and education in the tropical rainforest region of the upper Napo River in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The station includes a reserve of 2,000 hectares, of which 70% is primarily forest and the remainder is secondary growth. The activities in which volunteers will be involved are the following: compost and botanical gardens maintenance, seed collection, soil preparation, tree nursery maintenance, data collection (precipitation, temperature, agro forestry experiments etc.), construction of trails, vegetable garden upkeep and more.

Highlights:
Volunteer Role: (Volunteer will work at the following activities:
* Work at the Amazon Plants Conservation Center.
* Work at the Organic Farm.
* Data Collection
* Collection of seedlings and seeds for the nursery or the farm.
* Go to the farms of families in the local communities to help with organic methods of agriculture.
* Work on miscellaneous projects that arise: reforestation projects either at the station, communities or independent farms
* Trail maintenance and new trails construction
* Soil preperation
* Cocao harvesting, drying, and chocolate processing
* And more!

Location: The Biological Station is located on the southern bank of the Upper Napo River, at an altitude of 450m above sea level, at 1o 04' S, 77o 36' W, in the Napo Province. The life zone protected by the reserve is the Tropical Wet Forest according to the Holdridge system. The average yearly temperature is 25C, it rains close to 5,000mm per year, on an average of 200 rainy days. The lowest rainfall is during the months of November through January and the highest occurs during April through July. You can expect June to be the wettest month of the year. The closest city to the project is Tena. It located approximately an hour away by bus.

Accommodations and Meals: (There are two groups of cabins. The first group can accommodate up to 24 visitors at a time, in 4 cabins, 3 bunk beds in each. In this section there is a laboratory with some equipment, microscopes, a computer, videos and nature films. All are available for the volunteers. The second group of cabins where the volunteers are lodged has space for 15 volunteers, in 3 cabins with 2 rooms each. The dining room can fee 50 visitors and is the place where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.

In your free time you can enjoy the following activities:
* White water rafting: Ecuador's massive Andean range gives birth to scores of rivers east and west that carve their way through spectacular gorges, canyons, valleys and jungles leaving behind hundreds of miles of breathtaking world-class white water rafting.

* Travel via motorized canoe to the Quichua Museum. Learn about this indigenous group that lives in the region.

* Visit the home of a local shaman and learn about their rituals and involvement in the community. See how local plants are used for medicinal purposes and possible see a demonstration of a cleansing session.

* Night-hike: No rainforest experience would be complete without, at least, one night-hike. This is when the forest comes alive with the activities of so many animals that can't be seen or heard during the day. Sounds from nocturnal birds, frogs and insects are also a special part of the experience. This will also provide an excellent chance to experience first-hand the incredible biodiversity of this region.
Location: (The Biological Station is located on the southern bank of the Upper Napo River, at an altitude of 450m above sea level, at 1o 04' S, 77o 36' W, in the Napo Province. The life zone protected by the reserve is the Tropical Wet Forest according to the Holdridge system. The average yearly temperature is 25C, it rains close to 5,000mm per year, on an average of 200 rainy days. The lowest rainfall is during the months of November through January and the highest occurs during April through July. You can expect June to be the wettest month of the year. The closest city to the project is Tena. It located approximately an hour away by bus.

Experience Required: no

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

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

LEAD Adventures Ecuador's Mission Statement: Since its creation in 2004 LEAD Adventures has been extremely successful launching programs in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships abroad. Up to date we have efficiently managed over 2,000 inbound participants individually and in-group programs. Our programs are targeted to young minded people from all over the world that want to experience the great destinations Ecuador and South America have to offer. Our programs are targeted to young minded people from all over the world that want to experience the great destinations Ecuador and South America have to offer. Why choose our programs? In country support: As a South American based company we have the local contacts and resources to offer superb and efficient services to our participants. Our bilingual, experienced, and young minded in country staff are here to help you get the most of your time here. Security and Experience: We have the local knowledge and contacts to offer the safest and fastest security and emergency procedures. Additionally we are in close contact with the local Foreign Commonwealth Office UK , US Embassies and the like. Several US, European, and other companies choose us a destination management company for their programs. Value: Our administrative costs are much lower than agencies in Europe or US for example. So we can offer low and more reasonable prices for our programs compared to some agencies abroad. Additionally we are the operators of these programs so we can guarantee cost efficiency. True local Impact: As a South American (Ecuadorian based) company we have the local knowledge and capacity to choose the best managed projects and ensure a degree of sustainability to them. We support them and provide valuable resources that help continue their work.

Year Founded: 2004