Reforestation and Ecosystem Restoration Internship in Peru

This internship offered a rich learning experience about the local ecosystem and the impact of climate change on flora, particularly how grazing practices affect the environment. I appreciated the balance between desk work and field work, which kept the experience engaging and varied. However, I do wish there had been more participants in my program, as working with a team would have made the workload more enjoyable and manageable. Overall, the mix of field and desk tasks provided a comprehensive understanding of conservation work, making it a valuable experience.

I’m grateful for this experience, where I learned a lot about the dry forest ecosystem and was able to contribute to both reforestation and water & sanitation (WATSAN) projects. While the reforestation tasks could feel repetitive, the WATSAN projects had a clearer timeline, which added variety—I'm thankful Diego, the Director of the program, gave me the opportunity to work on both. The local food has been fantastic, and trying different Peruvian dishes was a highlight. I was also fortunate to be here when all four directors were around. Diego’s presence added a passionate energy to the work, while Jesús, the Volunteer coordinator program, did a wonderful job organizing outings and encouraging us to participate in local events, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere. The trips to places like Piedritas were amazing, and it would be great to see those continue as they add so much to the experience. On the downside, the frequent turnover of volunteers made it challenging to form lasting connections, and finding personal space could be difficult. It would be great to add more outdoor spaces with hammocks for relaxing. Overall, this internship offered a rewarding mix of impactful work, cultural immersion, and community, making it a unique and memorable experience.

Working in the program under Diego's supervision was a rewarding experience. I was mostly the only intern in the department, which gave me the opportunity to take on a lot of responsibility. I collaborated with Alejandro on gathering and analyzing data from locals to understand their perspectives, ensuring accuracy in our conclusions. One of my key responsibilities was managing the grass and seedlings in our small nursery during planting days. My favorite part was leading the reforestation efforts next to EcoSwell, where I organized other interns into teams for tasks like collecting mulch and compost. I enjoyed motivating the group each morning, and seeing everyone’s smiles by the end of the day was incredibly fulfilling. Planting days allowed me to share my knowledge with others, explaining the importance of compost and other environmental practices in a way that connected everyone to the work. I also had the chance to support Diego in preparing a presentation, and it was inspiring to contribute to a meaningful project. Additionally, collaborating remotely with Brinda, an online intern based in England, added a unique dimension to my experience. Overall, this internship allowed me to take on leadership roles, connect deeply with conservation work, and contribute to projects that made a positive impact on the community.

I had a wonderful time during my internship. The sense of community I found with the other interns was one of the highlights—living together really fostered a supportive, team-oriented environment. My supervisor was also fantastic; we grew very close, and I truly enjoyed the community-focused work we did together. This experience was not only fulfilling professionally but also personally, thanks to the connections and teamwork it encouraged.

My time in Lobitos has been incredible. I've loved learning to surf, getting to know the town, and meeting amazing people. The work here is fulfilling, and it feels great to know I’m making a positive impact. The best part, without a doubt, has been the people—the dedicated staff and fellow volunteers who make this experience truly special. Being in Lobitos has been everything I hoped for and more.

My 3 weeks volunteering with EcoSwell are drawing to a close and I’ll be headed back to the US. Lobitos is in the desert climate of northern Peru, most well known for its beautiful coastline and waves that attract surfers from all over the world. While I’ve been here I’ve been working mostly with the Green Lobitos project. This is a reforestation programme which focuses on creating green spaces within the community, since its inception about a year ago, it has continued to grow like the trees we’ve planted throughout the town. The ‘amas de casa’ in the community has taken the lead on this project and recycle water that has been used for washing clothes or cleaning dishes to water the plants. They also reuse inorganic material to protect the plants from wind and other factors that could prevent potential growth - the aim is to implement permaculture and sustainability in every aspect of the town. The best thing about my time here? Interacting with these families while tracking the success of this program or getting new members of the community involved has been a fantastic experience. It’s amazing to see how enthusiastic the kids are for this project, they often convince their parents to adopt the recycling techniques that are a part of this program. I’ve also been able to work on funding for an upcoming Surfonomics study. This would put an economic value on the waves that drive the tourism here in Lobitos. As a result, this could be a great tool to convince business owners here to make more of an effort to conserve the beautiful and precious environment of Lobitos. There are only a handful of studies done like this in the world so we’re all excited to see how it goes! We work every day during the week, however, the fun doesn’t stop there! Outside of work I’ve been able to go surfing almost every day and have gotten some amazing lessons from a local surf instructor called Gino Perez from SURF LOBITOS. Our first weekend here we went to Cabo Blanco, home of “Panic Point” another huge surf spot and this past weekend we went to Máncora, a beach town about an hour away from here. Overall, it’s been a great experience! Thanks, EcoSwell! You've got a bright future ahead of you.

My name is Lukas, I am from Austria and I travelled to Peru in Summer 2017. EcoSwell has a huge impact on Lobitos, a small fishing and surf town in the Peruvian desert, where water is a rare and costly good. Besides helping the local fishermen, EcoSwell has committed itself to reforestation in Lobitos and its neighborhood districts, which is quite a challenge when water is that scarce. Thanks to EcoSwell, I learned a lot about recycling, composting, the unique ecosystem here in the North of Peru and on how to save water and plant trees in a desert. It was very instructive to see how the people are living here and what kind of problems they face, which contrast greatly to those of Europe for example. It was also amazing to experience how the founders of EcoSwell are so passionate about their NGO and their projects. As a result, the organisation is growing and gaining more and more partners in Peru and worldwide. I really enjoyed Lobitos, especially its chilled vibes, the great beaches and amazing waves to surf.