Enviroment and Agriculture Volunteering (3 programs)


Jatun Sacha Foundation

About the institution
The Jatun Sacha Foundation (FJS) is a private non-profit Ecuadorian organization founded in 1989 to promote biological conservation, research, environmental education and management of natural resources.

FJS offers a volunteer program with opportunities to develop a wide variety of activities including reforestation, environment education, community service, plant conservation, agro forestry, field data collection and reserve maintenance, which are carried out in each biological station and under the supervision of residential staff, researchers, environmental education instructors, and the administrative personnel of each reserve.

FJS volunteer programs are distributed through 8 different reserves located in different regions of Ecuador. We are offering volunteers the opportunity to work in 4 of these reserves:

- Guandera (Highlands – 3100-3600 mts above sea level)
- Congal ( Coast)
- Lalo Loor (Coast)
- Tsuraku: (Amazon Rain Forest)

Description of the work

• GUANDERA: Conserves more than 1000 hectares of tropical wet forest and paramo highlands in the northern Andes of the Carchi province. You can be involved in activities regarding inventories and research assistance, maintenance, seed and data collection, reforestation, botanical gardens, classes on conservation for local school children and adults, enhance organic agricultural methods.
• CONGAL: 500 hectare reserve including mangrove and tropical hardwood forests, located at the province of Esmeraldas. You can participate in projects including mangrove and tropical humid forest restoration, community outreach and direct involvement, construction of station facilities, management of aquaculture and forestry systems, organic farming, biological inventories, English teaching to local kids. Each project involves many different activities.
• LALO LOOR: 250 hectare reserve that protects the last remaining stretches of transitional dry forest on coastal Ecuador located in the Manabi province. You can participate in Agroforesty and Reforestation work, implementing a program directed to community members about Environmental Education, mini construction and research projects. In addition, you have the opportunity to take guided hikes in the forests while learning about native species, take day trips to the beach and visit communities.
• TSURAKU: A 4000 hectare reserve in the Amazonian region, in the Pastaza Province, it is managed by the indigenous Shuar people of the area along with 2 foundation members. Environmental Education and English Teaching at local schools, medicinal plant garden development, trail development inside the reserve, visit shuar communities, agro forestry, vegetable garden, fish production, lodge construction and maintenance. In addition, guided walks through the forest.