from 890€

Excellent 4.8rating (134)
  • Life On Land

Cloud Forest Environmental Protection

location
599€ per week  ·  1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Work on projects to protect the Cloud Forest and improve the long term prospects of the communities who live within it.

The program

This incredible environmental project places volunteers into the magnificent Ecuadorian Cloud Forest.  Volunteers have the unique opportunity to work out of a biological station situated in the reserve and undertake tasks that will preserve this amazing ...

About the program

The program

This incredible environmental project places volunteers into the magnificent Ecuadorian Cloud Forest.  Volunteers have the unique opportunity to work out of a biological station situated in the reserve and undertake tasks that will preserve this amazing tropical forest for future generations. The program aims to to restore and maintain the reserve as well as work with the local community on educational and agricultural projects for future sustainability.

Goals of this Project:

  • To preserve the unique Cloud Forest reserve 
  • Work on projects to protect the diverse environment and improve the long term prospects of the communities who live within it
  • Educate the local people and the rest of the world on the importance of this to the world
  • Enable inter-cultural exchange between international volunteers and the local indigenous communities.

How you can help

Volunteers are essential to the success of this project and many of the goals could not be achieved without a willing volunteer labour force. The scope of the project is broad and volunteers could find themselves involved in maintenance and reforestation tasks, agricultural work on a small organic farm in the reserve, data collection and research related activities or environmental education iniatives and community service.

Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

  • Assist with garden and forestry programs
  • Assist on educational programs
  • Assist with research projects

Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:00am Breakfast in the communal area

8:15am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor

Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:00am Breakfast in the communal area

8:15am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor

8:30am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.

4:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

Evenings: Free time to simply relax, hang out with your fellow volunteers, have dinner together, then relax some more!

Free-time activities

The Cloud Forest reserve is located 3 hours from Quito in Pichincha Province. This unique environment is created as the Ecuadorian Andes transition to the Pacific coast. The result is an elevated tropical forest that contains a vast array of bio-diversity and is simply stunning to behold. Living ...

Free-time activities

The Cloud Forest reserve is located 3 hours from Quito in Pichincha Province. This unique environment is created as the Ecuadorian Andes transition to the Pacific coast. The result is an elevated tropical forest that contains a vast array of bio-diversity and is simply stunning to behold. Living and working in the Cloud Forest is an unrivalled experience for those who love nature and the outdoors.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level) or Spanish (basic level)

Required Documents

Emergency contact

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

This 'hands-on' project is best suited to those who are either pursuing a career in conservation/environmental studies, or who simply wish to explore an interest in this field. However, the project is open to all. Importantly though, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Love Volunteers

  • Dedicated pre-departure support
  • Exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner! 
  • Airport pick-up on arrival 
  • Orientation & full safety briefing on arrival
  • Accommodation
  • Food & Meals
  • 24/7 local support network 
  • Project placement & onsite supervision
  • Lifetime LV Alumni Membership
  • The opportunity to make a REAL difference!
  • Certificate of Completion (on request)
  • LV registration fee

Airport Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Volunteers are collected from the airport on arrival and taken to their Host Family accommodation in Quito for Sunday night.

On Monday transport is provided to the project site to meet with the local staff and settle in to live at the Biological station.

  • Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
  • Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
  • Arrival/Departure Airport: Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito, Ecuador (Code: UIO)

Accommodation

Volunteers on this project have the unique opportunity to stay on-site in the Biological Station situated in the Cloud Forest Reserve.   

Rooms are shared, dormitory-style and split by gender.  Facilities are basic but comfortable in keeping with the location. Electricity is available 24/7 but volunteers are asked to use it sparingly and showers are cold water only (thankfully the temperature is mild year round).  Wifi is not available whilst in the Cloud Forest.

Bedding is provided so volunteers need only bring personal toiletries and towel. Laundry can be done by hand (bring your own detergent).  See the Additional Info. section for a packing list.

Three meals per day are provided at the project and are included in the program fee. Volunteers are expected to help with cooking and cleaning up (using a roster-based system), so everyone contributes at meal times – bringing a wonderful ‘family’ feel to this project.  

Volunteers spend their first night (Sunday) in Host Family accommodation in Quito, settling in before heading to the Cloud Forest on Monday. Upon completion of the program volunteers typically stay the Friday night in the volunteer apartments in Quito also before flying out Saturday.

Food & Beverages

Three meals per day are provided at the project and are included in the program fee. Volunteers are expected to help with cooking and cleaning up (using a roster-based system), so everyone contributes at meal times – bringing a wonderful ‘family’ feel to this project.  


Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 890€
2 weeks 988€
3 weeks 1,105€
4 weeks (max. stay) 1,233€
Average fees 599€/week

Program fees

599€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit (15%)

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment (85%)

Your final payment will be agreed with Love Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your host

Love Volunteers

Excellent 4.8 rating (134 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Nicole

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers around the world for over seven years. We're passionate about making a difference in developing communities.

Meet your host

About Us

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers around the world for over seven years. We're passionate about making a difference in developing communities.

Our History

  • June 2009: Julian and Kelly (a brother and sister team from New Zealand) were shocked by the huge fees charged for volunteering abroad. They knew there must be a better way!
  • July 2009: Eager to provide transparent and cost effective volunteering, work began on what would become Love Volunteer.
  • August 2009: Visting worthy projects and developing relationshsips with local charities begins. A voyage that would see the duo cover half the globe in six months.
  • January 2010: The Love Volunteers website is launched with just 20 projects across 12 countries.
  • March 2010: Our first volunteer, Daniel, joins us on a project in Ethiopia! The first of many thousands to follow!
  • May 2010: Within months, Love Volunteers is placing over 50 volunteers a month
  • January 2011: We work with our first student group, sending Tim and 30 of his medical students from Columbia University to Guatemala.
  • May 2011: Our 1,000th volunteer, Emily, joins the team in Vietnam
  • February 2012: We begin working with our partner in Zambia - country number 30.
  • May 2013: We're recognized as one of the top volunteering organizations in the world.
  • July 2014: We add our 100th project - in Costa Rica.
  • October 2015: Kelly and Mike spend 18 months visiting projects throughout Central & South America, Europe and Asia.
  • February 2016: Nicole joins the team as our volunteer support manager. Later, Karen also comes on board.
  • June 2017: We undertake a huge rebrand of Love Volunteers to better reflect our mission of serving local communities in developing countries.

134 reviews · rating4.8

Victoria Schmettow rating1.4

2023 at Marine Conservation Supporter

I applied for the Marine Conservation program and wanted to stay for two weeks - I left early as this whole thing was more or less a scam. The location is not a "short journey from the beach" and not where the map shows but way further inland. We had bad/no wifi, our showers were not working ...
Dawn Harrage rating4

2023 at Community Initiatives

Made very welcome by the community programme that I worked with. It was about a 20 minute bus journey away but the buses are very regular and inexpensive. The hostel was great and being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras was amazing. Beware, though, food and drinks can be expensive (compared to what I'm ...
Andrea González Ferreira rating5

2022 at Golden Triangle Experience

This was the most amazing trip I have ever done!!! Love Volunteers was truly supportive during the whole experience and I will for sure plan more trips ahead with ...
Emily Merker rating1.8

2022 at Marine Conservation Supporter

Ich bin sehr enttäuscht, ich hab viel Geld gezahlt und alles was gemacht wurde ist Kayak fahren und beach clean ups. Ich war die einzige Freiwillige dort und war daher immer alleine. Für das Geld erwarte ich definitiv mehr! ich bin eine Woche früher nachhause geflogen weil ich mich gelangweilt ...
Jonathan Schweiker rating4.4

2022 at Improve English Skills of Local Students

Der Abholservice vom Flughafen sowie auch zum Busterminal am nächsten Tag und die Abholung vor Ort zum Hotel war sehr gut, man musste nur die Ankunftsuhrzeit in Jaco angeben. Das Hotel ist sehr schön, nicht zu groß und sehr freundliches Personal, während der Regenzeit aber etwas leer. Es gibt ...
We absolutely loved our time in Puerto Jimenez helping with the Marine Conservation program. Manuel and his team were great at giving us information about turtle conservation and we came away knowing far more about the process of turtle conservation. The town has plenty of shops to buy food and ...

Location

Americas > South America > Ecuador > Pastaza Province

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Conservation Work in Ecuador
Contact Nicole
  Very high response rate
English

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