Revive a threatened Tropical Paradise in Honduras

  Honduras

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Lancetilla is the world's second largest botanical garden and as it covers around 1600 hectares - it's clear why they could do with a helping hand or two! The garden is home to a vast variety of tree and plant life both from Honduras and the wider Central American region and a huge variety of tropical birds call its lush green trees home. Since it was badly hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 efforts to protect the flora and fauna have intensified and the garden is slowly recovering. As big as it is you'll know every inch by the time you leave after spending your time maintaining trails and taking visitors on guided tours as well as working in the tree and plant nursery.

*What does the sanctuary do?
Working in the second biggest botanical garden in the world, this is home to a vast variety of tree and plant life from Honduras and the Central American region; as well as other parts of the tropics. The reserve is also home to a large number of tropical birds which thrive in the safety of the gardens. Lancetilla Botanical Gardens in total consists of around 1,660 hectare which is dedicated to the preservation of the flora and fauna located in this tropical forest of Honduras. It has around 15 permanent employees and is funded by the National School of Forest Sciences (ESNACIFOR).

Lancetilla was established in 1926 by the United Fruit Company but when they handed the land over to the Honduras government in 1976 it was left to lie idle causing the loss of many of the precious plants that had been cultivated by the United Fruit Company. However, now that the ESNACIFOR controls the land, 80% of the plant life lost has been recovered, attracting a wide array of research students from across the world. Although more work still needs to be done and this is where you come in. Your presence there will give the vital additional manpower that ESNACIFOR needs to carry out its work of maintenance and research in the Lancetilla Botanical Garden in order to preserve this unique biological reserve.

*Why does the project need volunteers?
Lancetilla only receives twelve percent of its budget from the Honduran Government and although it is very productive as a research center it has become mostly self-sufficient and to a large extent dependent on help from volunteers. Also, with the effects of global warming and also deforestation becoming a bigger threat, extra effort is needed to preserve what remains.

Highlights:
* Learning about the botanical gardens and being part of their on-going development and success
* Exploring the stunning nearby beaches of Tela (or even hop over to the Bay Islands)
* Taking a weekend trip to Copan, site of one of the world's most impressive Mayan ruins

Qualifications: Skills required:
Good at working with people, general fitness and a willing to get stuck in attitude. An interest in botany and wildlife may also be useful.

Your role as a volunteer:
Your role will be to assist in a variety of tasks such as; working in the tree and plant nursery, maintaining the many trails and various species of plant life and taking visitors on a tour of the national park.

Cost in US$: USD 1295.00 for 1 week, USD 300.00 for every week thereafter

* Accommodation: Shared room in wooden cabin
* Food: Breakfast and dinner
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Honduras Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994