Conservation Worker for Endemic Species

BACKGROUND: 

This is an area located in the southern zone of the province of Manabí, containing a population of approximately 5,000 habitants.

It is in a dry tropical forest, with mostly primary vegetation. The plants from the Cactaceae (cactus) family standout, like the candelabra and the mulatto.  There is also the lignum vitae, or ‘wood of life’, locust trees, and madero negro, a tropical hardwood.  All of these plants have a great commercial and medicinal value.

Among the most represented birds there are sea birds like blue-footed boobies, frigates, and petrels, and also land birds like cucubes, tangaras, and hummingbirds. Of course there is also the presence of majestic humpback whales, which is a special chapter in the fauna of the area.  The whales bring in tourists from all over the world to witness the spectacle that they offer.

The marine currents determine the climate along the coast of Ecuador.  From December to April, the warm current from Panama (also known as el Niño) has an average water temperature between 18 – 20ºC.  In the months from June to September, the cold current from Humboldt comes from the south.  This current causes water temperatures to be 15-17°C and air temperatures to be 16-18°C during the summer months.  The Humboldt Current is of great importance for the survival of many birds, mammals, and fish that find their food sources in the sea.  The current drags miles of tons of food, like fish and plankton to Ecuador. 

WHAT TO BRING

Personal Items

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  
• Basic First Aid kit (treatments for insect bites, sunburn, minor cuts, stomachache, motion sickness, diarrhea, and personal  medication, etc.) 
  
• Towel (light or quick-dry)
  
• Biodegradable soap and shampoo
  
• SPF 30+ sunscreen
  
• Insect repellent and a strong anti-itch cream
  
• Other personal essentials
  

For Field Work

• T-shirts
  
• Lightweight quick dry long-sleeve shirts
  
• Quick-drying (light cotton or nylon, not denim) long pants that can get dirty
  
• Wide brimmed hat to provide full-face protection from the Sun.
  
• Work gloves
  
• Re- usable water bottle (at least one liter, one US quart)
  
• Small daypack
  
• Flashlight (headlamp recommended) and spare batteries or rechargeable batteries;
  

 Personal Gear

• Good quality waterproof jacket
  
• Alarm clock/watch
  
• Multi-tool such as Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman tool, (do not pack this in your carry on luggage when flying)
  

VOLUNTEER WORK:

 Volunteers can  contribute  in a private rehabilitation centre for wild animals where they will work with some native people . Volunteers help us care for animals, as well as continue to construct enclosures and trails to improve the centre. Some of the other activities that the volunteers will carry out are the following: 

• To work at a native plants nursery.
  
• To work in the conservation of native species.
• To feed the animals
• Animal tracking and monitoring
• To organize recycling campaigns with the population of the community, specifically with the children.
  
• To monitor the whales in order to contribute by collecting data.

Volunteers can visit beaches such as Los Frailes, Puerto López and Montañita. They can also visit the" Isla de la Plata", which is a island located inside the Machalilla national Park. In this island, you can find blue-footed boobies . "Isla de la Plata" is a cheaper alternative to Galapagos. You can practice snorkeling or other water sports in this place.