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VOLUNTEERING IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Volunteering with us in the Galapagos Islands is a deeply fulfilling experience. Your efforts will contribute directly to the preservation of the most famous environmental site in the World. Our program places you with a local organization that has been active in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for decades. Their expert knowledge make this a deeply enriching experience and a once in a life-time opportunity to be at the center of critical conservation efforts.

Volunteers for this position are encouraged to stay for a month. Positions for less than 2 weeks are not available.

LOCATION : SAN CRISTOBAL, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The biological station in the hills of San Cristobal Island, one of the Islands that form the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuadorian territory. They are located 500 miles from it's coast.

ACTIVITIES

  • Reforestation - Volunteers will assist National Park employees with reforestation work. This involves replacing exotic invasive plants with native species. The work will help realize the long term aim to construct a native plant corridor from the dry forest portion of the reserve below to the moist forest above.
  • Greenhouse production - The greenhouse operation will be used to develop organic production processes for fruits and vegetables that are on the approved growing list for the islands. Reforestation with native plants will be emphasized as a Plant Production Center is developed.
  • Environmental education program - Work with local schools, high schools and other places to continue educating the local population about the environment and how to protect it.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Galapagos Islands are the most important conservation site in the world. The land and marine reserves are both United Nations (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. It was here that Darwin found the inspiration for his theory of evolution, noticing that species on the islands had developed in different ways to enable them to survive where they lived.

The island faces a number of important challenges. The remains of the native forest on the San Cristobal Island has been significantly reduced from it's original size because of agricultural activities on the island. Many of the original plants have been replaced with foreign species introduced to the islands. This has threatened to alter the delicate ecological balance on the island. The station has started a forest nursery in order to promote the recovery of natural areas and native species.

The station also works with local farm owners in efforts to develop organic agricultural alternatives for fruit and vegetable production.The sale of these products to the local populations on the island should reduce the need for imported produce from the mainland. This will reduce the number of foreign or introduced species coming to the Islands.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to spend time working for conservation in the Galapagos Islands. 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 typically work 22 days a month and get 8 days off. Working hours are 6-8 hours a day. On your days off the reserve provides organized hikes at no cost. The minimum stay at this reserve is 2 weeks, but volunteers are strongly urged to stay for one month or longer. The maximum is 3 months. Staying longer may be possible in some circumstances, but will probably involve extending your visa.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is in shared huts at the biological station. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are provided. A laundry service is also available.

GETTING THERE

A two hour flight from Quito to San Cristobal, followed by a 40 minute bus ride from the airport to the station.

FIXED COSTS

Volunteer South America support and logistics fee - US$236.50

Registration Fee - US$90 (Price includes T-shirt, hat and information pack on the reserve etc.)

Program cost for 2 weeks - US$420

Program cost for 4 weeks - US$800

Program cost for 6 weeks - US$1,130

Program cost for 8 weeks - US$1,460

Program cost for 12 weeks - US$2,120

 

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

     

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