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!

Project details:
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.

Why the project needs volunteers:
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!

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
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!

Your role as a volunteer:
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.
• Andaluz and Cantalapiedra: Garden and farm maintenance, community work with children or teaching English to the Adults, working in the wildlife sanctuary, reforestation and eco-tourism guidance.

Where the project is based:
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.

Alandaluz and Cantalapiedra are based in the Parque Nacional Machalilla on the coast of Ecuador about 300km South West of Quito.

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.