Environmental Studies Internships in Galapagos Islands

Travel to the island that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and do more than explore. Help support sea turtle conservation! As a sea turtle nest monitor, you'll walk the 2-km stretch of coastline on beautiful Isabela Island, collecting data for the Galapagos National Park to support the management plan of the local beach. Join a team collecting data on the nesting patterns of the Green Sea Turtle, the species nesting in Isabela. Some of your responsibilities will include the following: - Observing and taking data on nest sizes - Determining nesting patterns of the Green Sea Turtle, the turtle species nesting on Isabela beaches, and marking laid nests. - Removing rubbish and debris to keep the beach clear. - Dedicating 3 hours weekly to removing "kikuyu" (grass) from the turtle nesting area, an invasive plant growing along the beach, thus blocking turtle nesting. - Measuring erosion to compare changes in the beach profile over time. The work schedule is from 6 am to 8 am and between 8 pm and 1 am (the night walk will vary depending on high tide when you are in Isabela).

This internship from the Institute for Global Studies is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and experience how environmental businesses operate while living in one of the world's most exotic locations. Aquaculture farming has its roots in ancient practices in places like Hawaii, where people had fish-holding pools for personal use. In today's world, aquaculture has taken on new importance as the world's fish stocks are devastated by industrial fishing practices. This means that farmed fish species are increasing to meet demands. Interns participate in all aspects of prawn farming with an established business. They discover how fishermen-turned-farmers nurture their crops to maturity. They also work with local aquarium scientists, discovering how these ventures relieve the pressure on the local marine environment, and help to conserve marine life and coastlines with correct management techniques.

Prepare to go on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that encourages you to become an integral part of the ongoing mission to safeguard the unparalleled ecosystems and rare species on the Isabela Island in the Galapagos. This remarkable opportunity promises to be transformative, not only for you but also for the natural world itself, setting the stage for a profound impact that will resonate for many years. At the heart of your internship lies the organization that you will be working for, which is deeply committed to the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. By joining this organization, you are entering into a dynamic network of passionate individuals, including local stakeholders, renowned experts, governmental authorities, and people with a passion for making a positive impact on the Galapagos. Intern's tasks may vary depending on the role and personal preferences, mainly focusing on environmental conservation and wildlife preservation. Contribute to activities designed to nurture and protect the island's unique ecosystems and its rare species, as well as diverse initiatives aimed at the care and protection of Isabela's natural wonders, ensuring that they continue to shine.

This internship placement is based on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, where a community conservation and advocacy project comes together with an eco-lodge and organic farm to protect the island’s precious biodiversity. This blended community initiative and social enterprise draws on social action, ethical ecotourism, and conservation tactics to demonstrate how tourism in a high-traffic destination can be done respectfully. As an intern, you’ll live with a local host family and participate in a variety of activities between the advocacy group, the eco-tourism lodge, and the regenerative farm. Such activities might include harvesting organic fruits and vegetables or maintaining native plant gardens used to attract tortoises. You may assist with marketing and sustainability documentation for the eco-lodge, prepare materials for youth workshops, or participate in communal beach clean-ups with the advocacy group. You’ll become part of a movement that explores how advocacy, hospitality, and communities that come together can support biodiversity, empower local people, and finance innovative conservation efforts.