Description

Bosque de Paz is a family business, run by the couple Piet Sabbe (Belgium) and Olda Peralta (Esmeraldas - Ecuador), located 42 km on the road between Ibarra and San Lorenzo, in northern Ecuador. In 1995, they bought a small property on a bare hill, with exhausted soil after many years of agricultural mismanagement, in the western foothills of the Andes.

Land Rehabilitation
The couple began the long road to restoration of life and biodiversity on their 15 hectares of property on the banks of the Guallupe River. First by establishing contour lines and planting nitrogen fixing plants along them to form barriers against erosion. Then, they introduced Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) as contour hedgerows to anchor the soil with its vertical roots. They used yellow bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) planted along the streams and gullies. Gradually life returned to the land that currently is completely covered with wild vegetation, fruit trees and short-cycle crops such as maize, cassava, pineapple and some vegetables.

Protection of water sources and streams.
Due to the drastic deforestation in this subtropical region, many water sources and watersheds are dry or in the process of drying out. To maintain humidity, and set an example of good management of watersheds, they reforested with palm trees, fast growing trees, Vetiver and different types of bamboo. The few hectares occupied by Bosque de Paz does not impact on the indiscriminate deforestation, devastating fires and destruction of fertile land, but undoubtedly the planting of bamboo and
Vetiver are part of the chain to increase the capacity to retain water, create more bio-diversity and serve as an example to others.

Highlights

Vetiver, Caya guadua (Guadua angustifolia) and giant bamboo at Bosque de Paz. Currently there are 12 bamboo species in the property. A trail takes visitors on a tour of approximately one hour to see all species. Some plants are well developed and are up to 20-25 meters high. Other species, newly planted, reach a height of 2-3 meters. The Bamboo Grove is open to the public.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Homestay
• Language Immersion
• Nature Tours
• Tours

Qualifications

The intern should be able to express him/herself in Spanish. In case the intern wants to improve or refresh his/her Spanish, a short Spanish course in Ecuador is recommended. We prefer an intern with the following profile:

Trail Builder: The intern should be in good physical condition, able to work independently and have a personal interest in the work.

Botany researcher: Have experience in field work (taxonomy), be able to work independently and be able to write a well structured report.

General farm assistance: be a hard worker in good physical condition and able to work both independently and in team.

Intern Types

• Field-Study

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Varies. Please contact us for more information.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

20 and above

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

some weeks

Year Founded

1999