Volunteer Opportunities in Ecuador

The following project sites represent some of the world´s hottest ´hot spots´ of biodiversity - from dry tropical forest (less than 2% remaining in Ecuador), coastal humid tropical forest and coastal wet tropical forest (only 0.8% remaining), mangroves, wetlands and cloud forest of the western Andes (one of the ten hotspots of world biodiversity). Your help in supporting these projects will help protect a ´Noahs Ark´ of biodiversity needed for future survival.

* Los Cedros Biological Reserve
* Madre Selva Permaculture
* El Milagro


* For other permaculture opportunities, send an email to alight@ecuanex.net.ec


Los Cedros Biological Reserve

A 6000 hectare pristine Cloud Forest Reserve bordering the Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve.
Location: Western Slopes of the Andes, 6 hours bus from Quito, 6 hours walk.
Activities:
· Scientific Research
· Permaculture
· Community Outreach programs
· Campaigns against mining operationsGroups Involved: RIC, CIBT

Volunteer Living Expenses: $300 per month includes travel from road head, food and lodging; vegetarians welcome

Contacts: CIBT ph. 493 2 2231768 loscedros@ecuanex.net.ec, cibt@ecuanex.net.ec, mmondrag@ecuanex.net.ec,

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Madre Selva Permaculture Institute

A 2 hectare permaculture centre established in 1991 with over 100 species of tropical fruit trees and training centre.

Location: The town of San Lorenzo in north west Ecuador.

Activities:
· Permaculture design
· Permaculture training
· Fruit Tree nursery
· Comunity Outreach programs

Groups Involved: RIC, CIBT.

Volunteer Living Expenses: $250 per month includes food

Contacts: CIBT ph. 593 2 2231768 cibt@ecuanex.net.ec, Holly Shiach: ecuadorwork@yahoo.com,

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´El Milagro´

Integrated lifestyle model on 35 ha of regenerating cloud forest bordering on 350 ha cloud forest reserve.

Location: Cloud Forest of Western Andes, 2 hours from Otavalo by bus, 40 mins walk

Activities:
· Permaculture design
· Community outreach (herbal medicine, nutrition, hygene)
· Alternative development examples
· Organic shade grown coffee cultivation
· Networking with surrounding campaigns to protect cloud forest.Groups Involved: Sloth Club, Rainforest Information Centre

Volunteer Living Expenses: $150 per month (food not included)

Contacts: Cotacachi Ecology Centre ph: 06 916 525, email: cec@imbanet.net or Anja Light pachalina@yahoo.com

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