Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Highlights

Established in 1986, this Amazon Biological station has been conducting worthwhile and essential research in developing measures for sustaining the rainforest. With the constant threat of wildlife extinction as a result of deforestation, stations such as this need all the help they can get to continue their invaluable work. Your contribution will entail a number of different tasks, which include:
• Compost and botanical garden maintenance. Work in the Amazon Plants Conservation Centre which has a range of rare species or in the nursery where endangered plants are raised.
• Data collection of temperature, precipitation, experiments and agroforestry.
• The construction of trails
• Collect seedlings
• Educate nearby farmers on the benefits of organic agriculture and more sustainable methods.
• Vegetable garden upkeep (and sampling!). There is an Organic farm that was set up to aid the local communities and provide alternative food and protein sources as well as income.

Travel Info

Aims and Objectives
The original reserve of 200 hectares was formed by land acquisitions conducted from 1989 to 1991 from donations by several conservation organizations concerned with the rapid loss of the tropical Rainforests in the Amazon and the world. In 1993, further additions to the station’s land holdings were made possible through donations from the International Children’s Rainforest Network. During the first years of the Biological Station, scientific research has focused on collections and inventories of the biota. Checklists of the following flora and fauna groups are available: reptiles and amphibians, birds, trees, vascular plants, ungi, butterflies, and mammals. Ecological research has included multi-taxonomic monitoring and silvicultural trials. The station has also hosted a number of field-related biology courses directed at national and international students. The courses include medicinal ethnobotany, dendrology of Amazonian Ecuador, ecology of populations, Amazon jungle biology for ecotourism guides, and Save the Rainforest seminars for US high school teachers.

Currently, the services that the organization provides are:
• Conserve and protect the natural environment with its ecological systems.
• Promote biological research.
• Strengthen the technical capacity of the country in conservation biology.
• Improve agricultural methods in the area through community extension programs.
• Research non-timber products for alternative sources of income.
• Develop reforestation models for the surrounding communities.
• Maintain a live collection of the most important and endangered plants of the area.
• Improve the health, nutrition and livelihood of the surrounding communities.
• Be the model for environmental education.

Sights
Ecuador is among the most beautiful countries in the world. It is one of the 17 ‘megadiverse’ countries according to Conservation International that assesses how many species inhabit the country. The primary reason for such rich and prosperous biodiversity is the surroundings and the consistent climate. These factors make it the ideal paradise for the 1600 bird species, 6000 butterfly species, 25000 plant species and 106 endemic reptiles that reside there. It isn’t bad for humans either!

Accommodation / Cost of Living
The group of cabins where the volunteers are lodged has space for 15 volunteers, in 3 cabins of two rooms each. They have their own set of toilets and showers in separate buildings. Since there is a dependence on rainwater, we have two outhouses (latrines), and the river is close enough for a bath. The dining room can seat 50 visitors. There is boiled water in a tank and coffee available for everybody at all times. This facility is open all day and can be kept open after suppertime upon request. It has electric power. Participants can also have their clothes washed for a small fee in the station’s washing machine. There is a computer and internet connection that can be used by volunteers at an extra cost. In Tena there are several places where you can e-mail from or use a telephone.

Food
A local cook will provide you with three meals per day and will include authentic Ecuadorian meals. Dietary needs are catered for.

Money
• The currency of Ecuador is the US dollar. The best way to carry money is to split it between forms of payment for example, cash, and credit/debit card.

• You can use your credit card when out there. ATM’S are also available if you need to get cash out during your stay.

• You will have opportunities to exchange money while staying in Quito and Peurto Lopez.

What's included?

• On receipt of deposit payment you will receive a welcome e-mail enabling you access to your personal page including medical form, kit list, country history and project information.
• You will also be invited to your Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in Central London. We will fully prepare you before you go.
• Airport collection
• Country Orientation and safety briefings
• Options to night-hike, white-water raft, canoe the Amazon etc.
• On-going accommodation
• Full onsite support and assistance, Emergency back up. Airport drop off.
• 3 meals a day.

Country Information

• Population/Area - 12.5 million inhabitants/283,520 sq km

• Climate - The average yearly temperature is 25C, it rains close to 5,000mm per year, on an average of 200 rainy days. The lowest rainfall is during the months between November to January and the highest occurs between April to July.

• Spanish is Ecuador's official language however the Indian population speak Quichua, an Inca language. Other than Spanish, ten native languages are spoken in Ecuador. English is the most popular spoken foreign language amongst tourist and professionals.

Demographics

• The placement is open to all nationalities. It is always best to double check any visa requirements directly with the countries embassy in your country or on the web before booking to go anywhere.

• The minimum age for this trip is 17 years and there is no maximum.

Maps

The biological station is located in the Napo province on the southern bank of the Upper Napo River, tucked in between the Andes mountains and the Amazon river basin. Tena is the closest city to the project location and is located an hour away by bus.

Gallery: Ecuador Photos

Itinerary

Please read, keeping in mind this is a sample itinerary only and is based upon previous expeditions and may change.

A DAY AT THE PROGRAMME
6AM-7AM Breakfast at the main dining room
7:30AM-8AM Daily planning
8AM-12PM Work at the different projects assigned
12PM-1PM Lunch at the main dining room
1PM-2PM Free time to rest
2PM-5PM Work at the different projects assigned
5PM-6PM Time to rest, change, relax.
6PM-7PM Diner at the main dining room
7PM-on Free time

Volunteers will arrive to Quito on Sunday before the programme starts.

You will be working at the Centre from Monday to Friday. The weekends are free for you to explore the area and the nearby attractions.

Feedback

Large parts of the lower Amazon have been cut down. Our work in surveying the upper Amazon, the untouched areas, means that we can re generate the previous areas of mans greed. We are ensuring the animals, birds and indigenous people have a sustainable habitat.

We have also taught many local children English, as well as community programs on how to protect the environment. Greenforce volunteers have run Warden protection education programmes.

Our work in the Amazon is vital, it is the earths' lung and creates so much oxygen, Greenforce volunteers are now helping to turn things around, for the health of the world, come and make a difference..