LOCATION : CONGAL RESERVE, ECUADORIAN COAST

The Congal reserve is located on the coast in the south west of Esmeraldas province in the North West of Ecuador. It is close to the town of Muisne and within easy reach of good local tourist facilities.

ACTIVITIES

• Agroforestry - There are three options; harvesting of bamboo, tagua, toquilla and other wild fruits/seeds; working in the organic garden and fruit orchards or helping to implement tropical farming models.
• Community integration - Community participation options involve helping at the local day care center, helping at farms, harvesting mangrove clams with women’s groups, and other activities.
• Eco-tourism - Work on the eco-tourism project involves breaking new ground for trails and maintenance of planted trees.
• Reforestation - Reforestation of the mangrove and tropical forest restoration. This will involve planting new trees that are endemically suitable to boost forest coverage.
• Reserve Maintenance - Reserve maintenance will contribute to it's viability as an eco-tourism destination (and make it a nicer place for you to stay). The work will involve beach and mangrove litter clean-ups. Some maintenance work on facilities and basic construction work are other possibilities.
• Teaching English - Volunteers have the unique opportunity to teach English at grade schools since the subject is part of the Ecuadorian school syllabus. Teaching is carried out in the school of Bunche community, a 25 minute walk from the Reserve. Children have some very basic English knowledge and are very outgoing. The syllabus is developed by volunteers.
• Wildlife Monitoring/Rearing - A sea turtle monitoring program to determine their conservation status began in October 2004. The raising of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species at Congal includes rearing land crabs, agouti, fish, clam species and organic shrimp. There are plans to add green iguana hatchlings in the future.
• Wetlands Management/Work - There are two options: Aquaculture pond monitoring and research and participation in shrimp, fish and crab harvests from aquaculture ponds.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Congal Reserve lies in the Western Ecuador Chocó-Darién bio-geographical region, which ranks fourth in the world “Biodiversity Hot spot" list. Within the reserve you will find beaches, estuaries, mangroves, wetlands and humid tropical forests. This diverse mix accounts for the regions high biodiversity and local endemism. But less than 25% of the original primary forest remains. The mangroves here are among the most important in the world. The reserve is part of the Mangrove Wild Life Refugee of Muisne forming part of the buffer zone protecting the highly sensitive Mache Chindul National Ecology Reserve. The Reserve influences over 500 hundred hectares of publicly owned mangroves and was the first mangrove reserve of it kind created in the Muisne area.

The local organization is developing projects in the fields of coastal ecosystems and marine conservation, organic and environmentally friendly aquaculture, farming and forestry. The long term aim is to introduce new working methods that provide local communities with sources of income and to reduce the pressure on already over exploited and threatened natural resources. The local organization is working to improve the current health, child care, formal and informal education situation and is helping with cultural initiatives.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to spend time in a tropical rain forest setting. Volunteers should have some interest in conservation, biodiversity, ecology, or nature. Volunteers at reserves in Bilsa, Congal, Jatun Sacha, La Hesperia and San Cristobal are required to speak basic Spanish. For beginners, we are proud to offer a 2-week Spanish course.

WORK SCHEDULE

Volunteers will from monday till friday and weekends off. The other days off are normally arranged with the project coordinator. Working hours are 8 hours a day. During time off you will be able to hike through mangroves and tropical forests. Seasonal whale watching and snorkeling may be possible. There are many beautiful beaches and nice seafood restaurants in the Muisne area. This is one of the most popular beach resorts for Ecuadorian and international tourists.Depending on the time of the year, you can make local handicrafts, canoe, horseback ride and take ecotourism trips.

The minimum stay at this reserve is 2 weeks, but we recommend a minimum of one month. The maximum is 3 months, but staying longer may be possible in other circumstances. Doing so will involve extending your visa.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation at the Reserve is in shared rooms. The accommodation has electricity, running water and other services. International phone service and internet are both available in the town of Atacames. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are provided. A basic laundry facility is available.

GETTING THERE

The reserve is 8 hours by bus from Quito. There is one bus a day, which leaves at 07:30 am. It costs US$9.00. On arrival at Muisne, Sr Cortez will take you to the station by canoe. The journey takes 15 minutes.

FIXED COSTS

Volunteer South America support and logistics fee - US$236.50

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

Program cost for 2 weeks - US$255

Program cost for 4 weeks - US$475

Program cost for 6 weeks - US$680

Program cost for 8 weeks - US$855

Program cost for 12 weeks - US$1,240

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$450.00. 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$155. 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