The 814 hectare Hesperia Biological Station is situated in the western lower reaches of the Andes, 1100 to 2040 metres above sea level. Located in the heart of the protected forest "Toachi-Pilaton", La Hesperia is part of two important bioregions, the Tropical Andes and the Choco-Darien-Western Ecuador. Both of these regions are among the top five biodiversity hotspots on earth, due to the high levels of biodiversity and the number of endemic species found in these ecosystems.

The diverse reserve spans over evergreen, low montane and tropical cloud forest. More than three hundred bird species have been identified at La Hesperia; 19 are endemic to the region, and 7 are vulnerable or in danger of extinction. Although the area is extremely important for the conservation of biodiversity, deforestation remains a threat to the region. The reserve is working to combat deforestation by protecting existing forests and restoring degraded areas within and outside the reserve. The reserve is also working to provide alternatives to deforestation, along with community integration and sustainable agriculture.

.: Location

The reserve is located two hours from Quito, on the road to the coast. Volunteers are accommodated in a house with three bedrooms for ten volunteers, a dining room, a bathroom with hot shower, and a good view of the cloud forest. A laundry service is provided free of charge.

.: Volunteer Activities

Reforestation Program: To achieve their aim of restoring degraded areas, the reserve is reforesting 100 hectares with native hardwoods. The volunteers will be responsible for collecting seeds, out planting and for the tree nursery. In addition, the reserve is planting on the reserve's southern and eastern borders.

Biological Inventories and research assistance: At the moment the reserve is developing inventories of birds and orchids, while their goal is to complete other biological inventories.

Ecotourism Program: The reserve receives groups interested in nature and conservation, researchers, and school and university students. The volunteers will participate in trail design and maintenance, infrastructure development, orchid garden, medicinal plants garden maintenance, and guiding groups.

Research: Volunteers can participate in on-going research and applied projects two days each week. The station has a list of on going projects and volunteers can submit original ideas in a two page proposal.

Sustainable Agriculture: Our partner is striving to make this part of Ecuador a model of integrated farming, with the preservation of the natural forest. Volunteers can participate in on-going sustainable agriculture projects, working with animals such as cattle, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys, and crops such as bananas, papaya, beans, manioc, sugar cane, and coffee. The volunteers will be pioneers in establishing an organic garden.

Community Integration: Our partner's main aim is the empowerment of the local communities, specially the La Esperie Community located at the entrance of the reserve. It is a small village of 50 families, with a small elementary school (with one or two teachers), a small medical centre, two carpenter shops, a small store, and a traditional sweets factory (guaba sweets, peanuts, etc). The volunteers can participate in community projects, such as teaching English at the local school. If you have knowledge of medicine or first aid, you will be especially useful to the community since there is only one nurse in the village, and a doctor one day per week.

Forest Exploration: La Hesperia lead volunteers on hikes into the forest each week to learn about bio-diversity, wildlife and natural history. Volunteers take part in horse back riding and lectures.

COB Workshops: at La Hesperia the volunteers will be able to learn the COB technique of eco-construction to create furniture, walls, ovens, and even houses, with clay, sand, dry herbs, and with their hands and imagination.

Tsachila Ethnic Group: Forty five minutes away from La Hesperia is the municipality of Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, which in the past was the native territory of the Tsachila ethnic group. This indigenous group is commonly known as the "Colorados" because they use a natural red dye known as "Achiote" to paint their bodies and hair. The volunteers visit the Tsachila communities once a month.

To apply for this program, click here.