Conserve the Amazon rainforest and contribute to research projects in Ecuador
Program Overview
Living at our 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 mammals, 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.
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.
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.
Program Details
GVI’s field research and community programs in the Ecuadorian Amazon aim to:
- Identify and catalog bird, mammal, 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.
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.
Although I had seen a million programs and photos of the Amazon rainforest I was not prepared for how beautiful it was going to be. The dense forest is an astonishing sight to see and not being able to see anything but trees, it was hard to believe how much of it had already been destroyed.
On my arrival in camp the mixture of excitement and nerves blended into one and I felt pretty calm and enthused. By the evening I felt settled in and I was amazed by how cosy our new home was!
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
