Enviroment and Agriculture Volunteering (3 programs)
Enviromental Volunteering in the Cloud forest
About the institution
This project is located in the north of Quito, near Otavalo, in the Cloud Forest Reserve (situated on 3,750 hectares). This project is two fold: 1) provide refuge for the Andean bear and 2) help in reforestation efforts.
The Andean bear lives in Equador’s subtropical forest at altitudes between 500 to 14,000 feet. While it is the only South American bear, the Andean bear is remotely related to seven other bear species from around the world. This bear is considered a vulnerable species and has been spotted on the Reserve and in close-by farm fields.
In this area, deforestation has also occurred. This is due to the extraction of hardwoods from the area. Through this reforestation project we are trying to reclaim the vegetation cover and expand the forest zone. By reconstituting the vegetation cover we are able to
prevent erosion while improving the quality of the soil in a natural way. We are also trying to recuperate various trees species and increase flora diversity with mixed plantations. There are about 90 hectares in the reserve for reforestation. Of this, 42 hectares have already been reforested. |
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Description of the work
The objective of this volunteer program is to CONSERVE the Andean bear in locations where field surveys are being completed in the Cloud Forest Reserve. The volunteers will follow paths already established or they may even open new paths, MONITORING EVIDENCES of Andean bears (and wild pumas) in the Reserve. This information is then registered into a database. Another tasks include the PLANTING OF FEED lots within the Reserve in order to help keep bears from wandering outside of the protected area, constructing 24 ft. observation towers within the feed lots for photography, film, and data collection, maintaining cages for the rehabilitation of bears and CONSTRUCTING a sanctuary for rescued bears held in captivity, or rescued from illegal traffickers or zoos that are in bad condition. The Andean bear eats feed, bromeliads and corn, therefore, in this volunteer program; participants will also clean different areas inside the Reserve in order to sow corn (including providing care for those areas and preventing the overgrowth of corn).
The volunteer work that still needs to be done includes: CLEANING new land to be reforested, preparing areas for REPLANTING, transplanting, cleaning prepared areas and collecting seeds for the seed bank. REFORESTATION efforts occur mainly during the winter, while volunteers spend the summer time on irrigation maintenance. Nevertheless, the caring of the trees that have already been reforested is very important throughout the whole year. Also, volunteers COLLECT and maintain various species of plants for the FOREST NURSERY and BOTANICAL GARDEN which are essential for the reforestation work. This work allows the volunteers to gain a deeper understanding about the development and characteristics of the flora species of the zone. Farming, organical garden, trekking, etc. But, the best in the Reserve: riding horse.
Keep in mind
The work can be quite physically demanding at times. Therefore it is better if you are in good physical health, but far more important is your commitment and enthusiasm to do a good job. You will gain more from the program will benefit more from your efforts.
Time: You will be choose beetwen one day to a lot of months with us
What you will get from the workplace
- Lodging
- A first meeting where you will receive all the information you need.
- Frequently following up a bilingual coordinator to help you interact with your supervisor, the staff and any logistical needs.
- Certificate at the end of your volunteer period, if the Volunteer want to keep 3 home cooked meals a day.
Board and Lodging: Yes
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Costs:
The fee for the program cover a payment to the Foundation for receiving Volunteers, meals and room, a donation to the Reserve for materials, a part of the staff costs at the Reserve and the upkeep of the facilities.
A portion helps cover the costs of administration and office overheads and the remainder is used to help maintain the foundation. In this way, every cent of the fee is put to good use to keep the Reserve.
All costs include lodging, 3 home cooked meals a day.
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Costs
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