• Reforestation
• Reserve management tasks
• Organic farming
• Plant and tree development studies
• Coffee farming
• Area patrolling
• Gardens and trails maintenance
• Paths and trails clearing
• Ecotourism and environmental education

Volunteers can work on different projects. The protection of the Bio Reserve, reforestation, organic farming, area patrolling, plant and tree development studies as well as coffee farming are some of the tasks conducted by the Bio Reserve and its volunteers. One thing each task fulfills, is learning about the unique Ecuadorian ecosystem.

Volunteers will be trained to track bears and pumas and then hike through the Bio Reserve’s territory collecting evidence of their activity. Walks will generally take from six to eight hours and ascend to an altitude of around 13,800 feet. Some of the tracking will be done at night and may involve camping to monitor more remote areas. Data, photos and videos will be entered into a Geographical Information System (GIS).

Tasks in the Botanical Garden include the maintenance to keep the gardens in good condition helping to rebuild orchid containers, clearing paths and identifying plant species.

It is very important that the Bio Reserve boundaries are clearly marked to prevent woodcutters deforesting within the protected area. This involves walking to the limits of the reserve, erecting signs, and maintaining the trails.

Some of the volunteers grow food in the organic garden. Here, volunteers can help plant vegetables.

As you can see various tasks are carried out in this project. Amongst others, marking and maintaining trails, working with the local community (e.g. teaching environmental education), participating in educational activities with children and teaching English are included in the activities of this project as well.

Volunteers will be assigned to tasks that best match their skills and know-how. Of course, you can tell us your strength and areas of interest and it will be our pleasure to accommodate your interests to the best of our capability to make this stay an unforgettable and unique experience for you.

• Dormitory style accommodation at the Bio Reserve
• Facilities: Hot showers, Kitchen, Flush Toilets
• 3 meals per day (only weekdays)

While you are volunteering you will be staying in shared accommodation at the Bio Reserve. The Reserve has several volunteer houses and is able to accommodate up to 30 volunteers. You will be living in one of these volunteer houses in a shared dormitory. The houses are equipped with flush toilets, hot showers and a kitchen. Electricity is only accessible in one of the houses so far. The other residences are more rustic and you will need to use candles and bring a torch or flashlight and batteries.

Living at the Bio Reserve includes 3 meals per day. There is no cooking service during the weekends but the kitchen will never be left without food. Additionally you can buy food in the shops of the little town nearby. You can reach this town by walking 20 minutes.

Besides working hard during the day living at the Bio Reserve is enjoyable and you will make new friends very quickly!

The private foundation is recognized by the Ecuadorian Ministry for Environment and was established in 1997 to protect the country’s ecosystems and wildlife. It manages three reserves in North Western Ecuador. In addition to these three Bio Reserves, the foundation is currently developing management plans for the areas surrounding all three cloud forest reserves, reforesting them and conducting environmental education in the local communities. The foundation has received support from the World Wildlife Fund (Department of Finland), the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Global Green Grants and private donors.

The staff is working to preserve these important environments through wildlife, plant and tree conservation work, community education, environmental management, volunteer projects, community eco-tourism, and scientific research of the flora and fauna of the region.

Past projects include an Andean Spectacled Bear reintroduction program and community initiatives to provide alternative income to people living in the areas. The serious threats facing the reserves include mining, illegal logging and hunting of Andean Spectacled bears and rare Mountain Tapirs. There is an urgent need to both protect the Bio Reserves and educate people about preserving these unique ecosystems. The foundation is also creating programs of sustainable agriculture and development of natural resources to aid the local community and the environment.

Source: Google Maps

One time registration fee 75 USD.

• Accommodation
• 3 meals / day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Orientation kit
• Local support
• 24h-Emergency Number
• Volunteer Work Placement
• Certificate of participation

• Flight
• Airport pick-up
• Medical Insurance
• Visa (if necesary)
• Local Travels