"It was wonderful to explore the area and contribute my time and energy toward conservation efforts as a volunteer instead of as a regular tourist! I loved everything."

Layla

"On my free time I go on hikes to jungle, waterfall climbing and just sitting on the watchtower observing monkeys and birds."

Andre

"Thomas is working on several organic systems to try and put some goodness back into the soil. He has various experiments going on, based on systems from all over the world."

Nadia

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GVN Home > ecuador

Volunteer in Ecuador

GVN in Ecuador, 2002

The Global Volunteer Network currently has volunteer opportunities through our partner organization in Ecuador. Our partner was establishment in July 1989, by the government of Ecuador. It is private, non-profit Ecuadorian foundation. Besides protecting ecologically important forest habitats, the foundation's biological stations are nationally and internationally recognized as leaders in the development of innovative and concrete programs in community agroforestry, and environmental education.

Volunteer interns can participate in research, education, community service, station maintenance, plant conservation and agroforestry activities carried out by the Amazon, Bilsa, Guandera, Congal, Tito Santos, and San Cristobal biological stations.

The volunteer program is intended to provide practical experience for people interested in contributing to our partner's conservation activities and projects. Volunteers work on a variety of projects under the supervision of the resident researchers, environmental education instructors and administrative staff of each reserve.

.: The Program

All volunteers located at field stations will participate in maintenance and development of the infrastructure of these stations. Volunteers are not tourists and are expected to work full days like all other employees of the station. Interns should be able to undertake strenuous and sometimes tedious labor in a hot tropical climate under primitive living conditions.

You can be involved in:

Research: it is possible to carry out this activity at each of the reserves. Volunteers are encouraged to develop a personal project which they will have time to work on.
Education: at Amazon, we have an environmental education program and also teaching English classes for the schools of the area. For the environmental education, the volunteer needs to be fluent in Spanish. For the English classes we prefer volunteers who are staying longer than one month. (Please note: School holidays run between June and October). Volunteers may also teach English in child day care centres in the Congal reserve.
Station maintenance: general maintenance work and light construction. Cleaning trails, and sometimes work in the kitchen.
Plant conservation: at all our reserves we have centers for conservation of plants of the different areas. Activities include collection, identification and treatment of seeds, care of tree nurseries (weeding and watering), reforestation itself.
Community Development: the programs aim to empover local populations with health, child care, education, and cultural initiatives.
Sustainable Agriculture: encourage native residents to use agricultural methods and products that interfere least with the region's fragile ecosystem.

.: Program Location

There are currently seven reserves we can place you in which are listed below. For an overview of what each reserve offers, click here. From there you can click for more information on the reserve that interests you.

Amazon
The 2 000 hectare Amazon reserve is located in the tropical rainforests in the east of Ecuador. Volunteers may assist with the development of the reserve, and with education in the local schools.
> More Info

Bilsa
The 3 000 hectare Bilsa reserve is located in the critically threatened coastal tropical forests in the north west of Ecuador. Volunteers may assist with reforestation and research in the reserve.
> More Info

Congal
The 250 hectare Congal reserve is located on an island in the Muisne estuary in the north west of Ecuador. Volunteers may assist with implementing sustainable aquaculture, mangrove restoration and empowering the local community.
> More Info.

Guandera
The 1 000 hectare Guandera reserve is located in the midst of the last remaining extensive stretch of high altitude cloud forest in the north east of Ecuador. Volunteers may assist with reforestation, creating biological inventories and education in the local community.
> More Info

La Hesperia
The 800 hectare La Hesperia reserve is located in central Ecuador, in the lower reaches of the Andes mountain range. Volunteers may assist with reforestation, implementing sustainable agriculture and eco-construction with natural materials.
> More Info

San Cristobal
The 200 hectare San Cristobal reserve is located on the Galapagos Islands, off the west coast of Ecuador. Volunteers may assist with reconstruction of the island's natural habitat and implementing sustainable agriculture practices.
> More Info

Tito Santos
The 2 000 hectare Tito Santos reserve is located in dry forest in the west of Ecuador, a unique ecosystem where there is no rain for most of the year. Volunteers may assist with mapping the reserve, constructing buildings and researching the properties of the different plants in the reserve.
> More Info

.: Program Requirements

Be 18 years or over
Have no major health problems
Be moderately fit
Be proficient in English or Spanish

.: Program Schedule

The minimum commitment for volunteer internships is one month. The maximum time limit for any of the reserves is six months (exceptions can be made in special cases). A special visa is required to remain in Ecuador for more than 90 days.

Volunteers are expected to work 22 days per month. Eight vacation days per month can be used upon approval by project coordinator. Volunteers are expected to work an average of 6 to 8 hours per day, depending on the activities they carry out.

.: Program Cost

The cost of the program are as follows:

Global Volunteer Network - Application Fee: US $297.00. The application fee covers administration, marketing, program information, communication and direct support of our partner in Ecuador.

Ecuador Program Fee: US $350.00/month. This covers 3 meals a day plus lodging in cabins which are shared with other volunteers and researchers. (Please be aware that what you pay to stay at the station is not only for your room and board, but also goes towards the salaries of the 4 forest guards, purchase of land and to pay land tax).

* The San Cristobal (Galapagos Islands) Program Fee is US $660.00/month.

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you look here.

The other costs you will need to meet are:
Your flights, visa, shots, travel/health insurance and corresponding airport departure taxes. Also you will need a weekly budget of up to US$20 to cater for all your other expenses like personal items, beverages and entertainment.

.: Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

.: Book Resources

We have a selection of books available that you may find useful if you decide to volunteer in Ecuador.
Click here

.:Application Process

All, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form via the link below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as: country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout your volunteer placement we will communicate with you to see how you are progressing and discuss any issues.

To apply for this program, click here.