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LOCATION : LA HESPERIA RESERVE, WESTERN FLANK OF ECUADORIAN ANDES

La Hesperia is a nature reserve located about 2 hours drive from Quito along the western range of the Andes at an altitude of 1100 – 2040 meters above sea level (Ecuador/Pichincha province). The reserve is located in the Rio Toachi-Chiriboga, Important Bird Area. It is home to 287 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 63 different butterflies.

The station works in natural conservation, combating deforestation, protecting existing forest, restoring degraded areas and searching for sustainable activities that enable us to support the reserve and to offer a better way of life for the local community as well as those who work and live at the reserve.

GOALS

  • Protecting existing forest
  • Maintaining the reserve as an IBA (Important Bird Area)
  • Working toward sustainable development
  • Creating programs to foster community development
  • Restoring degraded areas within and outside the reserve
  • Educating the public about conservation and ecology
  • Conducting research
  • Sharing our experiences with nature enthusiasts, local communities and volunteers.

    • ACTIVITIES

    At La Hesperia Biological Station & Reserve there are three programs for volunteers to choose

  • Conservation of the Cloud Forest
  • Fostering Sustainability.
  • Social Development.

    • WHY IT MATTERS

    The forests in this area are a biologically rich mix of Andean highland and coastal lowland species. The reserve is close to local communities that depend on the land for their livelihood. Successful management and working in harmony with them are key components to ensure that both conservation and local needs are met.

    Besides conserving a significant piece of the forest, this organization is engaged in reforestation work, organic production and a medicinal garden. Agro forestry alternatives are developed and passed onto the local community. The reserve is close to two major cities and many schools visit it to participate in the site's environmental education program.

    Program A: Conservation in the Cloud Forest

    This program has been designed for volunteers that are able to commit a minimum of 2 weeks. It suits those with an interest in nature, conservation, research, botany, and wildlife and outdoors life.

    Forestry Program: Restoring Degraded Areas.

    The station is working to restore several areas through natural regeneration and by reforesting them with tree species important to the natural environment. The main activities of this part of the program are to cultivate plants in the nursery, to prepare the old pastures for reforestation and to open reforestation lines. Volunteers assist in collecting and planting seeds, maintaining the nursery, transplanting seedlings, tree care, opening reforestation lines and conducting forestry inventories of planted trees to evaluate their growth and survival

    Sustainable Wood Production

    On this program you will help planting several species of trees for sustainable use, including mahogany, cedar, colorado and tangaré. Knowledge produced by this program is shared with local communities to encourage and enable them to adopt a similar approach.

    Wildlife Program

    Volunteers are in charge of the hummingbird feeders, mammal feeders and to plant botanical species that will provide food for the wild animals.

    Research

    Volunteers will collect and analyze data from the different research areas. We also count with a list of two week projects that volunteers can conduct during their stay.

    Trail Maintenance

    Volunteers will maintain or create the trails of the reserve with a machete.

    New Ideas

    Volunteers with the relevant experience may contribute by helping to write grant proposals and other communications on behalf of the reserve.

    Spanish classes

    The reserve offer basic and intermediate Spanish classes, at US$4,00 per hour.

    Program B: Fostering Sustainability

    This program has been designed for volunteers with a minimum commitment of 3 weeks. It suits those with an interest in nature, sustainability, agriculture, animal breeding, bio-food, organic vegetable garden and outdoors life.

    Organic Agriculture
  • Organic Vegetable Garden: Preparing soil, planting seeds, weeding, harvesting and general maintenance.
  • Production of Organic Fertilizers and Pesticides: Maintenance of compost heaps, earth worms, manure tea and mulch
  • Maintenance of banana, coffee, sugar cane, citric fields (clearing with a machete, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting mature products)
    • Alternative Animal Production

    Volunteers will participate in feeding cows, pigs, chickens, goats, horses, mules, ducks, geese and rabbit. They will plant crops to feed them, maintain pastures, fencing, and milk animals that require it. You will also take the milk on the mule into the town!

    Bio-food Production

    Volunteers will participate in the process of preparation of home-made cheese, butter, yogurt, chocolate, coffee, pasta, bread, pizza, dry fruits, vegetables and vinegar.

    Forestry Program & Sustainable Wood Production

    Volunteer activities could include collecting seeds, nursery maintenance, trail maintenance, tree care and reforestation.

    Eco-construction

    You will learn the techniques of construction with COB, bamboo and wood depending on the time of the year. If at the time of your stay there is not a current construction project, once a month the staff will conduct a COB workshop.

    Handicrafts

    Volunteers will learn to make simple handcrafts with natural fibers and seeds. One of the ways we empower the local communities is by selling their handicrafts to our volunteers and visitors.

    Alternative Energy

    Volunteers will assist in the sugar cane field for the future production of ethanol as a renewable fuel to replace the use of oil. In 2007 we will continue with the evaluation of possible energy projects, consulting experts and making agreements with relevant institutions. We are open to any kind of cooperation.

    Program C: Social Development

    This program is for volunteers with a medium level of Spanish language who are interested in education, social development, cultural exchange, practice of Spanish and working with children. You will need to commit to a minimum 4 week stay.

    Teaching

    Volunteers can teach English at the local elementary school to children whose ages´ range from eight to twelve (not available from February to the second week of April)

    Health Program

    Volunteers with knowledge of first-aid or medicine have the opportunity to get involved with the community by working in the clinic assisting the nurse in charge. La Esperie’s medical centre serves approximately 120 families, but the services are limited. In the past volunteers have given shots, taken patients’ vital signs and distributed medication. They have also made visits to families and local schools to provide instruction about preventative medicine.

    Volunteer Community Program

    Volunteers have the opportunity to have cultural exchange and practice their Spanish by living and working with the family of Joaquin Jácome in the village of La Esperie. Joaquin and his family have invited volunteers to help out with daily activities on their farm. Activities may include: Preparing organic fertilizer, working with medicinal plants, planting, harvesting and maintaining granadilla (type of passion fruit), working with cattle, and other activities depending on the need of the family.

    WORK SCHEDULE

    Volunteers work full days alongside other employee at the station. Be prepared to undertake strenuous and sometimes repetitive labor in wilderness conditions.

    The minimum time commitment is three weeks. Volunteers planning on staying in Ecuador longer than 90 days require a visa extension. The staff can assist volunteers on obtaining the extension once in Ecuador. If your stay is more than one month you may be given the opportunity to coordinate and lead new volunteers.

    You will work from 8.30am to 12.15pm and from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Every other week volunteers will have a “long weekend” (from Friday to Sunday). This is a good opportunity to travel around Ecuador and visit other ecosystems.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Accommodation in shared rooms (1-5 volunteers per room), running water, and electricity, hot showers, telephone for emergencies and excellent views of the forest. Bedding (pillow, sheets, and blankets) will be provided A variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, including traditional Ecuadorian food is served. Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms are available for couples at an extra charge.

    WHAT TO BRING

    Please bring light trousers, long sleeved shirts, raincoat, a hat, working gloves, sun cream and insect repellent. Wellington boots, a torch (flashlight) with extra batteries and a mosquito net are highly recommended.

    GETTING THERE

    This is the easiest reserve to get to from Quito. A 2-hour bus ride descending through cloud forest on paved roads, followed by a 20 minute walk gets you there.

    FIXED COSTS

    Volunteer South America support and logistics fee - US$236.50

    Resgistration Fee - US$70 (Price includes T-shirt, hat and information pack on the reserve etc.)

    Program cost for 1 week - US$125

    Program cost for 2 weeks - US$210

    Program cost for 3 weeks - US$305

    Program cost for 4 weeks - US$415

    Program cost for 6 weeks - US$605

    Program cost for 8 weeks - US$780

    Program cost for 12 weeks - US$1,150


    This organization runs a number of reserves. Moving to another reserve presents no obstacles, but your four weeks at the new reserve will cost US$415.00. The Volunteer South America and registration fees are one off payments, so you don't need to pay it again if you switch reserves.

    OPTIONAL COSTS

    Discount Hotel Accommodation - US$25-40 a night (60% discount)

    Spanish Classes - From US$220 per week (4 hours a day)

    Home stay with a local family - US$140. Includes accommodation, 3 meals a day and laundry.

    TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE

    All volunteers are required to purchase travel and medical insurance for the duration of their volunteer position. We strongly recommend that minimum coverage includes the following:

  • Medical expenses - US$10 million
  • Personal liability - US$2 million
  • Personal accident - US$40,000
  • Personal property - US$3,000
  • Loss of Passport etc - US$1,000
  • Legal expenses etc - US$40,000
  • Cancellation etc - US$6,000