Description

The program takes place mainly in the high part of Isabela Island at a park/center run by native people. They cooperate with the National Park to help with a group of giant tortoises from the breeding center until the tortoises can repatriated at one of the volcanoes on Isabela Island. As they don't get any contribution from the government they have to do their best to arrange funds in other ways and one of them is to get visitors which are Ecuadorians as well as foreigners. They have a chance to see and learn about tortoises and life in the high part with agriculture but they also want the visitors to keep going around in the high part to see more and to let the whole community benefit from visitors and eco-tourism.

Volunteers Role

Conservation
Volunteers will help taking care of the giant tortoises and their habitat as well as working with the agriculture and they will also help out with the infrastructure. In the agriculture part they have different fruits like Papaya and Bananas as well as food for the tortoises that needs to be looked after. All of the work for this part takes place in the center that the local community is running up in the high part of Isabela Island.

Eco-tourism
Volunteers work will be to help with information about these different locations and to help building up a data base, try to prepare information in Spanish and English for signs/flyers/homepage etc, to go around and visit places and update information about them. Volunteers might also come with ideas of things to see and do or ways to improve what they have to be able to attract more people to see this wonderful environment.

Highlights

Conservation
The conservation part of the project involves the giant tortoises that they have here in the park/center. There are a few that live here for life but most of them, around 40, arrive from the National Park breeding center to live in an environment closer to the nature as they will be set free once they are big enough after they are 3-5 years old.

The exact time depends on how fast they are growing as they need to be strong enough for any danger they can meet as the breeding program don't allow interference with veterinarian, medicine, operations etc as only the strong ones can survive, just like in the wild.

Connected to the giant tortoises they have some agriculture as this partly is food for the giant tortoises and part is of course for the park/center to be independent and in case they can sell some fruits they can also get an extra income for their work.

Eco-tourism
There are many beautiful places sites and activities such as the Volcano Sierra Negra, lava tunnels, wild nature, bird watching, horseback riding etc. Volunteers help in collecting information about the different locations and to spread awareness about the beautiful environment.

Qualifications

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and love for animals and environment to work in this program. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. High beginner to intermediate Spanish level is recommended.

Volunteers need to bring Rubber boots and working gloves as well as working clothes. The volunteer should also be in a good physical condition and willing to do physical work.

This placement is suitable for someone that likes to work with nature and people. Also tourism students can take part in the project.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2 weeks: 750

Program Fees Include:

What are you Paying For?
* 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
* Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
* Airport Pickup in Quito
* Orientation
* Food
* Accommodation
* Travel & Medical Insurance

What's not Included?
* Airfare to Galapagos from Quito
* Visa and Visa extension fee
* Airport taxes
* Local Transportation
* Galapagos Park Entry Fee
* Transportation cost from Baltra to Isabela and return
* Any personal expenses

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Eco-tourism

Age Range

17 years or older

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-8 weeks

Volunteering Solutions's Mission Statement

Our Mission is to provide Meaningful and fully researched volunteer programs abroad. Benefit local communities by providing volunteer support. To strengthen the travel experience by providing cross cultural experiences to our volunteers. Use the funds and develop the communities and people we work with.

Year Founded

2006