We are a young local non-profit organization funded in 2019 working for the conservation of last Ecuadorian coastal Chocó
rainforests as for the threatened species present in the Galera-San Francisco Marine Reserve.
Our aim with this program is to regenerate and reforest degraded ecosystems in order
to give more habitat options for endemic wildlife, which is facing
serious threats due to deforestation. An
important amount of fieldwork will take place in the forest and at agroforestry
systems (last remnants of this
ecosystem in Ecuador). Volunteers will help collecting and producing trees seedlings
(critically endangered species according to IUCN red list), taking care
of them in the plant nursery unitl they are ready to be planted in
agroforestry systems and areas connect biological corridors. Biodiversity
regeneration through reforestation in biological corridors will be one
of the main priorities in this program. Lots
of work related to plants will be done: nursery work, seedlings
production to bring in degraded areas, tropical
gardening, pruning, etc. You will learn proper tecniques for soil
regeneration and improvement of fertility in
cacao and tropical fruits farms. This part is crucial to mitigate the
use of toxic chemicals to produce bigger
crops which contaminate watersheds. Educational workshops for local
youth will be organized in the
communities to arise environmental consciousnesses, so it is expected
that volunteers/interns will also help in
this kind of tasks.
Highlights of this program:
- Work in the plant nursery supporting the reproduction of threatened species of trees for reforestation purpose.
- Contribute to improve the record of wildlife populations present in the surrounding forests and agroforestry
systems of the area using camera traps, through observation (binoculars), jungle walks, night monitoring,
etc. (You will need to download apps like e-Bird, iNaturalist. Recommended getting a extra-rugged case for
smartphone).
- Observe Ecuadorian Chocó wildlife species in their natural habitats, including sea turtles on the marine
reserve beaches, as well as hundred of species of tropical birds, amphibians and much more.
- Gain experience in how conservation projects
funded by international environmental
organizations are set up and managed.
- Acquire necessary skills for ecological design
and give support for the maintenance of
regenerative farms / agroforestry systems.
- Planting, pruning, harvesting and processing tropical fruits (cacao, banana, papaya, passion fruit, ginger,
tumeric, cardamom and much more).
- Maintenance of living terraces for soil regeneration, fertility improvement and watershed restoration.
- Collection of seeds to germinate in plant nursery, as well as wild seedlings.
- Living a sustainable community life guided by the principles and ethics of Permaculture.
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