Amazon Rainforest Conservation - Ecuador

from  £795

Amazon Rainforest Conservation

Ref:

GYC 1172260

Countries:

Ecuador

Duration:

from 4 weeks

  

or call:

0845 344 7613

more info:

click here

 

This placement would suit:

Enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to get their hands dirty and carry out important conservation work in the world’s largest rainforest.

 

Cost details:

£100 per extra week

 

  

Product Details

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest and most bio diverse rainforest in the world and its total area represents over half of the world’s remaining rainforests. It is a fantastic place to get involved in conservation and houses the largest collection of plants and animals anywhere in the world, a number of which only exist in the Amazon! It is thought that 1km square can contain 92,000 tonnes of living plants.

Your Placement

In Ecuador, six official ‘stations’ have been set up by the Ecuadorian Foundation for the protection and conservation of the natural and human environment. The station you will be based in was established in 1986, and is an excellent centre, focusing on field research and education in the tropical rainforest region of the upper Napo river. The centre is based in a reserve area of approximately 2,000 hectares, of which 70% is primary forest and the remainder is secondary growth.

The main objective of the Foundation is very simple: conservation. They aim to do this by:

• Promoting biological research
• Supporting and assisting local communities to co-exist with the land
• Looking at reforestation models
• Monitoring the native plants

Your Role

The project is located near El Tena and focuses on two main programmes that work with and assist the local communities:

1) The Amazon Plants Conservation Center CCPA. There is a large botanical garden which houses a collection of useful plants from the Amazon Basin, it includes medicinal plants and others. There is also a nursery located in the Centre which is used for reforestation and propagation of plants, especially endangered species. Activities here may include: trail maintenance, botanical gardens maintenance, new trail construction, seed collection, soil preparation, tree nursery maintenance, data collection, and bespoke projects that are running continuously.

2) The Organic Farm is a demonstration and educational farm for the local communities. The goal here is to source and provide alternative food and protein sources as a means of income, as well as supporting the community. Activities here may include: vegetable garden maintenance, soil preparation, compost maintenance, pools for pisciculture of species of the area, construction of protected areas, data collection.

Typically, volunteer activities are organised on a weekly basis which emphasise certain areas of interest, but will definitely include days at the two centres mentioned above, and almost certainly other bespoke projects that are running at the time.

Teaching English - optional

There may also be an opportunity to teach English in local schools for 2 mornings a week and this is dependent on whether the school is in session and if they require a teacher that week.

Spanish Lessons (Optional)

Ecuador is a Spanish speaking country so you will really benefit from having a basic understanding of the language. However, if you are not a confident Spanish speaker, you can take lessons at our language school in Quito when you arrive, before you head off to the Amazon. The school offers friendly and personal one-to-one tuition from native Ecuadorians who will help develop your understanding of both the local language and culture in which you are living. Beginners, intermediates and advanced levels are all very welcome at the school and will benefit greatly from their time there.

Travel and Adventure in Ecuador

Ecuador has become a very popular travel destination boasting an amazing diversity of landscapes and wildlife across its four main regions; the famous Galápagos islands, the tropical coastline, the mountainous Andes and the lush Amazon rainforest.

Whether you're exploring Ecuador’s national parks or the bustling markets of Quito, or partying away at one of Ecuador’s many festivals, you are sure to fall in love with the laid back way of life and friendly local attitudes. And if you fancy trying your hand at water sports, Ecuador offers a wide range of activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, surfing and more. Whatever you choose to do in your free time, you are sure to fall in love with this truly captivating and diverse country.

Other options...

Conservation in Costa Rica, Community Work with Street Children in Ecuador, Building in Ghana, Community Work with the Elderly in Ecuador, Community Work with Orphans in Ghana or South Africa, Sports Coaching in Ecuador, Costa Rica, South Africa or Ghana.

We have loads more exciting volunteering and sports opportunities on offer - simply make an enquiry to receive a free brochure.

from  £795

Global Sports Xperience

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or call:

0845 344 7613