Conserve the Amazon rainforest and contribute to research projects in Ecuador
Program Overview
Living at our expedition base along the mighty Rio Napo in the Ecuadorian Amazon, you will contribute to our ongoing wildlife research projects with the ultimate goal to better understand and preserve the flora and fauna of this diverse and unique ecosystem.
You will first learn standard scientific observation techniques before applying them to record vital data on targeted species of reptiles, butterflies, birds and amphibians. This data will contribute to local conservation in an area of the world known to be home to 30% of all known plant and animal species.
Highlights
Experiencing the sights and sounds of the tropical rainforest; enjoying the intensive in-camp training to gain basic knowledge of the environment;spending nights camping out in the rainforest; setting photo-trapping equipment to see what you can catch on film; discovering rare and possibly new species; enjoying wildlife observation from the river; experiencing the rainforest at night on nocturnal frog and mammal surveys; learning bush skills and rainforest ecology; exploring different parts of the Amazon; working with the local community and learning how to navigate in the forest.
Our work supports sustained and long-term conservation goals in partnership with the Yachana Foundation. Your work will help to preserve the rainforest’s extraordinary diversity of plant and animal life.
Scholarships
We are always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to join our team. This expedition offers qualifying and high-performing volunteers the chance to stay on the expedition for a longer duration on a GVI Scholarship free of charge and as part of the staff team in the field. If you would like to work towards a field career and make the very most of your time abroad, you might want to work towards a place on a GVI Scholarship. Successful scholars may find themselves offered full time employment with GVI, and many of our current staff have come through this route. Contact us for more information! Please note, the awarding of scholarships is at the sole discretion of GVI and may be offered immediately after the completion of your program or at a later date.
Life on the Program
Most of your days will be spent learning standard field research techniques and then trekking through primary and secondary rainforest to collect data for our list of targeted species. Many expedition days are long: we begin our treks into the rainforest at first light, and often do nighttime treks as well to record nocturnal activity.
Because the environment and the work can be challenging, time not spent in the rainforest observing wildlife will be used to rest at the GVI base with your team. On base you might process data collected in the field, continue learning Spanish, help out with base activities or make use of our onsite library to further your learning.
Located in a beautiful section of the Amazon, the GVI base is surrounded by the sounds of the rich and diverse array of life that calls the rainforest home. The amenities are basic, but the base is comfortable and spacious – ideal for relaxing and getting to know your fellow volunteers.
Project Details
GVI’s field research and community programs in the Ecuadorian Amazon aim to:
- Identify and catalog bird, reptile, amphibian, butterfly and plant species
- Support local conservation, ecotourism, education and community development efforts
- Facilitate local TEFL-based classes (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
- Support small-scale infrastructure development projects
Our long-term goal is to manage a permanent, full-time biological field station and establish strong relationships with leading scientific and development agencies and universities.
How this program makes a difference:
In previous years, our team has vastly expanded the species list for the Yachana Reserve, currently at over 750 species, as well as producing free online guides of both frogs and reptiles.
This data is shared with Yachana for use by their guides and tourists, as well as the Ministry of the Environment for use in the protection and management of the reserve.
Our team has also discovered a rare species of glass frog in the reserve found only once before in Ecuador.
Volunteer Testimonials
I gained a superficial knowledge of the rainforest, but also the great experience of actually working in this amazing habitat. Teaching children was great fun and it was good to be working with young people again, having retired as a teacher. I got really fit by the end of the ten weeks, I should have been fitter before I started! It was an amazing and very fulfilling experience.
We all learned a huge amount about the wildlife and the local communities and became very comfortable living in the jungle. Each day was spent trekking through the jungle collecting vital scientific data about the species living there and their habitats. Some of the things I saw and experienced in the jungle were truly amazing and will stick with me forever. I’ll finish by saying the Amazon is one of those places you have to visit in your lifetime and GVI were a fantastic company to do it with allowing you to fully experience the jungle.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Transfer to rainforest location
- First Aid & CPR training
- GPS training
- Marine radio and camera trap use
- Wildlife identification skills
- Tropical forest ecology
- Scientific techniques in collection of transect work, incidental observation, camera trapping and track identification
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
