Project Overview
Want to protect some of the most beautiful environment in the world?
Despite being the smallest country in the Andean highlands, Ecuador is certainly making the most of the space it has. If it’s not covered by dense jungle, then it’s jam-packed full of wildlife reserves, unexpectedly beautiful beaches, swarms of indigenous animals or picture-perfect colonial architecture. This leading conservation project works hard to preserve the tropical forest and wildlife in the beautiful cloud forest. Conservation work in Ecuador involves a variety of activities, including jungle hikes, reforestation activities and weekend visits to local villages. If you get a taste for the country you can stay longer than four weeks and enjoy rotations among a variety of reserves, one of which is on the Galapagos Islands!
We currently provide volunteers to several reserves across Ecuador: three in the cloudforest on the mainland and one on San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. All the reserves are part of Ecuadorian non-profit, non-governmental organisations. We have also recently joined with a coastal conservation project based in Parque Nacional Machalilla that focuses on eco tourism and reforestation.
With deforestation being Ecuador's largest environmental problem, a huge effort is now being made by both national and private reserves across the country to preserve what remains.
Much of the work at these reserves is dependant on having the necessary labour. That is not to say that it would not get completed without i-to-i volunteers, but it would certainly take much, much longer!
General fitness and lots of enthusiasm is definitely needed for all the reserves. Volunteers also need to be ready to take on any tasks that may be required of them, and to get dirty in the process!
While there are a large number of conservation activities that are broadly similar across the reserves, each has its own unique aspects. Typical examples of work that could be required at the specific reserves are as follows:
- La Hesperia: Sustainable agriculture, reforestation, collating biological inventories, community integration, and COB eco-construction are all typical activities at this project. You will also get involved in educational activities and eco-tourism and will have the opportunity to participate in hikes and workshops, as well the opportunity to teach English to local children and project staff.
- Alto Choco: Native tree nurseries, reforestation, botanic garden, environmental education in community schools, organic orchids.
- San Cristobal: Habitat restoration and agricultural components, various hikes to a nearby lagoon, native forests, beaches, and local villages to explain the ecological and human dynamics of Galapagos. Opportunities to work on group research and monitoring projects will also be developed.
- Trees nurseries, reforestation, Organic Farm, worm projects, feeders, Orchid Garden, Eco Tourism, environmental education with the school and community, Ecotourism, Health Campaigns in the Community.
Depending on the length of the project booked, it is common for volunteers to visit more than one reserve as part of a rotation, spending four weeks at each. You will be allocated to the project with most need at the time of your arrival, however if you have a preference please get in touch with your nearest i-to-i office, you will need to specify if you wish to include the Galapagos islands as part of the rotation as there is a supplementary fee to join.
La Hesperia is approx 2 and 1/2hrs west of Quito in the Pichincha province. Please note that in order to reach the reserve you will have to walk for between 20 and 40 minutes both up and down hill. Work with the communities requires a similar amount of walking. The nearest main town to the reserve, Santo Domingo, is 45 minutes away and buses run past regularly throughout the day.
Alto Choco is approx 5 hours north of Quito. The facilities are more basic here and the project a little more remote.
The project on the Galapagos is based on the island of San Cristobal and will require a flight from Quito which is not included in your placement fee and will be added to your statement at the time of booking.
Mindo is located approx 2hrs from Quito on the lower flanks of the western Andes in the province of Pichincha. You will be staying in a guesthouse on site.
You will need to arrive at Quito International Airport (UIO) for all placements and after spending two nights in Quito for orientation you will travel onto your project.
Stories
Jennifer Hollings gives this project 10/10
Here is what Jennifer had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
being out in the rainforest!!!! we saw so many different species, and mindo is a really nice town to browse around.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
i think it would have done had we not been to places like peru first because the lifestyle is similar. mindo was a very basic town which would have been harder to deal with had we not been to other similar places. it definately makes you apreciate things we take for granted though such as clean running water and electricity.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
definately bring wellies!!!
be prepared to go without electricity and running water.
take everything as it comes, you cant prepare for what you dont know.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
a thouroughly enjoyable experience of the rainforest!!!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
only if we could have stayed longer :(
Maya D'Costa gives this project 10/10
Here is what Maya had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Pretty much everything about the trip--the beautiful biodiversity of Ecuador, warm and friendly people, delicious food. I would want to go back some day!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The simplicity of life at the reserve--one does not need much to be happy.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Not for travelers. However, if you can arrange for the hostel to have hot water for showers late at night, that would be helpful. We came back late on our last night and there was no hot water in the shower--no big deal, but it would have been nice to have. It would have also been nice to have hot water for baths/showers on the reserve. Our hosts, Luis and Sonia boiled water for us twice, which was great. However, it might be easier for them if they had some electrical device like a hot water rod (if such a thing were available) that could be immersed in a bucket of water to heat it.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It was an exhilarating, rejuvenation, and awesome experience!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
See the note in number 3.
Lilian Alves gives this project 9/10
Here is what Lilian had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
How friendly people in Ecuador are, the bridge that I helped to build and the rafting.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
For me, it's amazing how the actions of a small group of people can make significant differences in the world. This trip reminded me that great accomplishments start with small steps and made me see the importance of conservation work.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
* Pack light - Preferably, if you're doing conservation work, bring a big backpack, so you can only take whatever is necessary for your during the time that you'll be working and leave on the hostel things that won't be needed. Extra-weight can be really annoying.
* Socks are never too much - For this, it's always better to have more than less.
* Rain Gear - If they say bring a rain gear, BRING A RAIN GEAR. You really will need it.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A new perspective for life.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
More interaction with people from Ecuador.
Lorna Golding gives this project 8/10
Here is what Lorna had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The diversity of the country I was visiting was amazing, the different types of people and such varied countryside within such a small area was unbelievable. The people I met were all very helpful and friendly even with my limited spanish!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
To see how other people and cultures live, not only around the project but in this country in general was amazing.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Try not to pack too much as you have to carry it!
Stick with it.. even if you don´t feel comfortable in your first week keep at it as it takes a while for the culture shock to wear off!
Keep alert, although most people are friendly, always be aware of who is around you and where your bag is!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Diverse culture, people and countryside, an eye-opening experience.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Nothin except an extra three weeks, I could happily stay here!!!
Kelly Sanville gives this project 7/10
Here is what Kelly had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I had an amazing time on the trip and it was the people that I met that made the trip worthwhile.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
"an experience that i will never forget!"
Roseanna Chester gives this project 7/10
Here is what Roseanna had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Salsa-ing the night away in the nearby town!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I have never seen the kind of poverty that existed there in Ecuador so it has made me more grateful for what I have taken for granted at home. And after climbing that mountain every day I will never whine again about having to take a flight of stairs, that is for sure...
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Prepare to get down and dirty; it will happen despite all efforts to the contrary.
2. Learn as much of the local language as possible; it can feel a little alienating when you don´t speak the same language that everyone else does
3. Take your free time and do what you enjoy; whether it is going out hiking and exploring, or enjoying a good book with a cold drink.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A great opportunity to witness a different way of life.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Not that I can think of.
