Conservation Volunteer

 

Description

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION CENTER
MONTE SAÍNO

A Tropical Rainforest Paradise:

Have you ever wondered if a howler monkey actually howls? Or what is a Chirimoya (Custard apple) and what it might taste like? Or how excited you feel after you plant trees in a tropical rainforest? Knowing you are doing your part not only to save the rainforest but combat global warming. If so, you may be an outstanding match for our volunteer program at Monte Saíno Natural Resource Conservation Center by giving something back through volunteer work.

The Trip

In the southwest region of the province of Esmeraldas you find Punta Galera, the last remnant of preserved coastal rainforest in Ecuador. The area is located in the transitional zone of two important eco-regions: El Chocó, from Panama to the northern border of Ecuador and the Tumbesina region from the southern border of Esmeraldas to northern Peru. This area is known as one of the 25 most important hotspots in the world for its incredibly high biodiversity of endemic flora and fauna species. Temperatures range from 20 to 30ºC/68 to 86ºF and altitude 0 to 300 meters/0 to 984 feet, for these tropical rainforests, mangroves, rivers and beaches. These areas are rarely visited and still remain pristine. The surrounding communities dedicate themselves to fishing and agriculture which make the residents cheerful and welcoming towards visitors.

The Natural Resource Conservation Center, Monte Saíno is situated in a protected forest reserve which consists of 209 hectares/516 acres of land. The reserve is distributed into two 104.5 hectares/258 acres parcels. The Center is located 6 km/3.73 miles from the coastal community of Cabo San Francisco, the largest population on Punta Galera. Access to the Center is by horse, foot or canoe (when the river permits it) entering by the San Francisco River. This hike is especially pleasant with lots to see and photograph.

The Project

The two parcels that make up the reserve are in a strategic position allowing the protection of an ecological forest and vital watersheds. This reserve which includes more than seven rivers is both economically and socially important. The location of the reserve also permits ready collaboration with a large number of neighbors and co-owners of the forest who are involved in many of the Center’s projects. The Center has identified areas on the neighboring farms for the management of analog forestry systems through processes of conversion and enrichment of cocoa crops, as well as the existence of a native forest seed source established in the forests of each farm owner.

The Natural Resource Conservation Center, Monte Saíno is designed to assist in sustaining traditional customs and create a harmonious environment with nature. The Center is located on the San Francisco River where nothing is more enjoyable than diving into an unspoiled pool to relax and cool off, or to fish or participate in other recreational activities. On a two hour hike in the reserve you may find many important flora and fauna species. Some of the animals you can observe include three species of monkeys Black Howler monkeys, Western Capuchin monkeys and Subtropical Night monkeys. You might also find cougars, ocelots, wild pigs, deer, many species of marsupials and raccoons. So far more than 200 species of birds have been identified like the rare Banded Ground Cuckoo and Chocó Toucan. This area is one of the most diverse in frog and snakes species in Northwest Ecuador. Many of these species are endemic to the region and some are in danger of extinction.

Monte Saíno Conservation Center is perfect for volunteer work with beautifully conserved tropical rainforest, sparkling rivers and waterfalls and its proximity to the ocean. It is ideal for volunteers looking for work that truly aids in the conservation of the ecosystems of Punta Galera in an effective sustainable way. One where volunteers are able to give something back to the local people and at the same time experience the connection with these natural treasures which are becoming ever more scarce in the world.

Specific Volunteer Activities

EcoCiencia, (Ecuadorian Foundation for Ecological Studies) has led the sustainable forest conservation activities of Punta Galera for over six years. These activities include generating ecological information, partnering with local organizations, national and international to form research teams to produce conservation alternatives. Local community members enjoy the support of Conservation International and the Fund for the Alliance for the Conservation of Critical Ecosystems. These partnerships have created the Center for Natural Resource Conservation, Monte Saíno, which continues to change the local concept that the forest only serves for the exploitation of wood to the idea that sustainable management of natural resources endanger of extinction is more economically viable. The Center is currently seeking volunteers to support this goal in meeting the following priorities:

1) Restoration and regeneration of forest cover, incorporating analog forestry methods into neighboring farms and the establishment of biological corridors.
2) Sustainable collection, stocking and marketing of native forest seeds from a community seed source.
3) Quality control inspection of native forest seeds, incorporating an aggregate value and providing a guarantee of viability.
4) Sustainable collection and stocking of seeds and other products for the development and support in the marketing of handicrafts.
5) Identify a fair trade market and to sell products produced by neighboring farms.
6) To offer workshops on conservation alternatives generated by the Center to neighboring farms and others who live in the Punta Galera region.
7) Experimental management and production of crawfish as an income generating project.
8) Volunteer’s personal projects (ideas, dreams, volunteer’s aspirations, selection of projects with financing will have preference).
9) Assistance on related conservation research projects in the area developed by scientists and students.
10) Creation of new infrastructure and maintenance of the reserve.

Volunteers get a great amount of interaction with local people through the community work projects they participate in, as well as weekend activities. Community members love to interact with volunteers; often when visiting neighboring farms they give volunteers fruits grown on their farms and partake in exciting conversation.

Through these projects past volunteers have had high levels of satisfaction from a job well done. Many volunteers have expressed their desire to return to Monte Saíno after such a positive experience.

Accommodations and Work Facilities:

The Center offers the following basic infrastructure:

1) Two cabins for exclusive use by volunteers and coordinators with a total capacity of up to 15 people. Rooms include book shelves, beds with pillows, sheets and mosquito nets. Lighting is provided by candles.
2) Private bathroom include flush toilet, sink and refreshingly cool shower.
3) One cabin serves as the kitchen and dinning area.
4) One cabin for stock and forest products management.
5) Two well equipped nurseries.
6) A crawfish hatchery.
7) Access trails to forest, river, streams and waterfalls.
8) Information, equipment and materials for the development of the Center’s activities.
9) Accommodations in hostels from the local people in Cabo San Francisco.

Internet access and telephone service are available in the local community of Cabo San Francisco.

Volunteer Profile

We are looking for men and women in good physical condition with related experience or an openness to learn. Volunteer opportunities exist at Monte Saíno all year round but require a one-month commitment; however, there is no limit to the duration of your stay at Monte Saíno. Special projects may be arranged for shorter time periods as appropriate.

Costs:

A percentage of the price that every volunteer pays goes directly back into the community. Your contribution supports the projects the Center offers which help to maintain the many conservation objectives and create continuity in these processes.

Monte Saíno presents various alternatives for the volunteer by offering the best services possible. The packages that are presented below are designed in accordance to the place or places where the volunteer will work:

Site One month More than one month Services
Monte Saíno Natural Resource Conservation Center Reserve US $ 450.00* US $ 400.00* MealsLodgingHousekeepingLaundryTransportation**
Monte Saíno Natural Resource Conservation Center and Cabo San Francisco US $ 500.00* US $ 450.00* MealsLodgingHousekeepingLaundryTransportation ***
*(group discount available)
**(Atacames-Monte Saíno and Monte Saíno-Atacames)
***(Atacames-Cabo San Francisco-Monte Saíno and Monte Saíno-Cabo San Francisco-Atacames) Additional transportation

Itinerary

A complete work week is comprised of five days of work and two days of rest. Each day consists of six hours of labo