Description

The aim of this programme is to help conserve a part of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest by participating in tree planting, trail work, research activities, sustainable living and food production as well as some community projects in La Hesperia's Biological Station nature reserve.

Ecuador

Ecuador is the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands of South America. It has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, amazing volcanic landscapes, dense rainforest and the fabulous Galapagos islands - all in a nation no bigger than the US state of Nevada. With a population of about 13 million , Ecuador borders Peru and Colombia.

Introduction

Ecuador is considered one of the seventeen megadiverse countries, with forty-six different types of ecosystems; the country is the most diverse in the world with respect to its surface area. Ecuador holds second place in the world for its diversity of orchids and amphibians. However, an average of 200,000 hectares of the Ecuadorian forest disappear every year. In collaboration with La Hesperia, our programme partner, their most important goal is to protect part of this amazing ecosystem and to fight against deforestation. However, this fight is not easy and they need as much help as possible, everybody should participate in conservation efforts, because conservation is a shared responsibility.

La Hesperia Biological Reserve

La Hesperia, where the programme is located, is a nature reserve located in the western range of the Andes at an altitude of 1100 2040 meters above sea level. With an area of 814 hectares, it is located in the center of the Rio Toachi-Chiriboga IBA (Important Bird Area, declared by Bird Life International and Conservation International) and it is part of two important bioregions: The Tropical Andes and the Choco Darien Western Ecuador, considered within the top five biodiversity hotspots on earth. The station works in natural conservation, combatting deforestation, protecting the existing forest, restoring degraded areas and searching for sustainable activities that enable them to support the reserve and to offer a better way of life for the local community as well as those who work and live at the reserve.

Programme Details and Dates:

We are offering three different types of programmes - the Cloudforest Conservation Programme, On the Way to Sustainability Programme and the Social Programme.

For all programmes, volunteers are needed for periods from 3 weeks up to 3 months. Beyond 3 months is also possible, but then you need to get a visa.

Cloudforest Conservation activities include:

* Planting 150 native trees per person within the group (groups of 4-8 usually)
* Designing and opening a new trail in the reserve
* Maintaining existing trails
* Collecting data for the station's research projects
* Maintaining and improving the medicinal and meditation garden

On the Way to Sustainability includes:

* Working in the organic vegetable garden
* Alternative animal production
* Coffee, banana and citric production
* Bio-food production
* Eco-construction
* Sustainable wood production, and
* Medicinal garden work

The Social Programme involves working with La Esperie community located close to the station. Please note: volunteers should have an advanced/medium level of Spanish to participate on this programme and the minimum duration is 4 weeks. Projects include:

* Teaching at the local nursery (available year round)
* Teaching at the elementary school (not available from February to mid-April)
* Helping at the medical clinic

2 weeks - Travelling, Volunteering and Learning Programme (TVL)

This is a new programme taking place at La Hesperia which is ideal for those who do not have much time to travel (two weeks), but still want to do something worthwhile. It includes:

* Reforestation and planting native and endangered species,
* Hiking in the cloudforest,
* Trip and overnight stay to a local indigenous community, opportunity to learn about medicinal plants and meet shaman for healing (optional),
* Eco-construction workshops,
* Ecological research techniques,
* Sustainability - organic agriculture as well as bio food production, (ie cheese, yoghourt, pasta, coffee etc)
* Conservation lectures and practices,
* Camping and learning about survival techniques, shelter building, finding edible foods,
* Visiting local school and nursery.

Optional to include Spanish classes as well. Suitable for individuals or groups of students, friends etc.

Location

La Hesperia is located in the Pichincha province, 90 kilometers from Quito (capital of Ecuador) and is located up the hill from the community of La Esperie. The community is on the Aloag-Santo Domingo road, eleven kilometers past the town of Tandapi (sometimes called Cornejo Astorga on maps). We would advise that volunteers arrive in Quito on the Saturday before the commencement of the project (which starts on the Monday), so that you can have an introductory meeting with the Quito staff, spend a night there and then travel to the nature reserve on the Sunday and start working on the Monday.

Facilities

Accommodation is in the Volunteer House, in shared rooms (2 - 5 volunteers per room). There is running water, electricity, hot showers, public telephone (you can buy a phone card in town or in Quito) and excellent views of the forest. Bedding (pillow, sheets, and blankets) will be provided but a sleeping bag may be necessary if you are planning to travel to colder parts of the country or camping at the reserve. They offer a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals that includes traditional Ecuadorian food. Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms are available for couples at an extra charge.

Spanish classes
There is also an option to take basic and intermediate Spanish classes if you wish - though please note this is separate from the volunteer programme and would be at an additional cost. Classes are one hour a day for four days a week and they would start the second day after your arrival if you decided to enroll. Classes are conducted in small groups according to the level at USD 4 per hour. For those with advanced Spanish level the best way of improving your skills is to practice everyday with the local staff.

Its worth noting that alongside the volunteer programme, as you will be living at the field station, you will be required to participate in the maintenance and development of the station's infrastructure - volunteers are not tourists and are expected to work full days as any other employee of the station. Volunteers work 7 hours a day, Monday through Friday. You do not work on Saturday and Sunday and have every other Friday off. You may also be there at the same time as other volunteers (not part of your group) and interns doing research programmes.

Highlights

Conserving the cloud forest in one of the top biodiversity hot spots in the world, and learning Spanish at the same time. Learning about sustainable food production and eco building.

Travel Types

• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Climbing
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Photography
• RainForest Tours

Qualifications

Volunteers should be aged 18 years or more and should be interested in nature conservation, botany, organic agriculture production, ecology, wildlife and outdoor life, and be adaptable and flexible. It is not necessary to speak Spanish (except for the Social Programme), but it would help if you are willing to learn, as you would benefit more from being able to communicate with local people. A reasonable level of fitness is also required, as volunteers will be doing work of physical nature. It is not necessary to have a University degree or relevant qualifications, but for those with previous experience or skills working in nature reserves, this would be an added benefit.

Intern Types

• Biology(General)
• Environmental Studies
• State Park Employment
• Zoology & Wildlife Sciences

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

742 USD for 4 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

This covers all programme costs, including all food (3 meals a day), lodging in cabins that are shared with other volunteers and researchers, project materials, all training and supervision by project manager, WorkingAbroad Projects backup and placement support, and so on.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18 yrs upwards

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 8

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Year Founded

1997