Earth Restoration Project

 

Ecosystem: cloudforest

 

Fundación Golondrinas is a non-governmental organization working in cloudforest conservation (the 1400 hectare Cerro Golondrinas Reserve), soil conservation/regeneration, and environmental / natural resource education in several rural communities of northern Ecuador. For 25 years traditional farming practices have given way to destructive methods such as the slash-and-burn technique for clearing land. Fundacion Golondrinas
tries to improve the quality of life in the local farming communities, using a combination of traditional farming methods and new agroforestry techniques; maximizing crop yields in a sustainable manner. The Foundation needs help from foreign volunteers to achieve its goal.

 

 

Volunteers need to be motivated young people (minimum age is 18), who speak some basic Spanish and want to help out for at least two weeks minimum. The volunteer must be willing to accept a physical and mental challenge, as the work can be laborious, and the living conditions primitive.

 

 

There are two field sites. The lower elevation site is in the village of
Guallupe. Nestled in the Mira valley (1000 m altitude, comfortable climate),
4 hours by bus from Quito. The demonstration farm, Peña Negra, where most
of the work will be done, is very near to Guallupe. Activities include:

 

- re-introduction of local species
 -work in the tree nursery
- tree planting
- weeding
- create fire breaks
- environmental education
- various light construction projects
- other basic farm tasks

 

Lodging is provided in Guallupe, in a dormitory style housing facility, owned by the Foundation. Running water, toilet, shower, electricity, kitchen and telephone are all available.

 

Two stations- Santa Rosa and El Corazón, both quite isolated and located in the sub-tropical Cerro Golondrinas Cloud forest at 1800m, compose their higher elevation site. You can only get there by foot (respectively 1,5 and 3,0 hour walks), or horse.  Activities at the Santa Rosa and El Corazón stations include:

 

- work in the tree nursery.
- Cutting climber weeds in plots of second growth forest.
- Measuring the evolution of recovery (reforestation) in these plots.
- Work in the naranjilla and blackberry plantations.
- Pruning trees and bushes.
- Cleaning / clearing existing trails.
- Helps in the construction of Ornamental Garden*.

 

Primitive housing is available at both stations. A larger housing complex with modern facilities has been built in Santa Rosa last year, that will be a center of scientifically and ecological capitation and investigation.  For couples, there exists the possibility of a six-month stay at either station, to manage the area. In this case a good knowledge of Spanish is requested as well as the will to live quite isolated surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

 

 

Professional scientists and students who are interested in advanced research projects or internship positions are also most welcome at the Golondrinas Foundation, for periods no less than 3 months. Areas in which research or
internships can be set up agricultural engineering / agroforestry / permaculture / reforestation, soil recovery / anti-erosion terrace building / tropical forestry / fruit and plant cultivation, alternate energy sources / solar energy anthropology - community service / psychology / mental health / nutrition development and public administration, ecotourism, / Fauna (entomology, ornithology, spiders, insects, fish, etc). Flora (orchids, passionflora, bamboo, laurel, etc.), Physical/environmental geography ,Pollution river basin management /  engineering / water turbine engineering.

 

Your investigation plan is your responsibility. Though they will gladly assist you in any way possible. In the office in Quito you can use the available literature, computers, printers, and other necessary supplies.

 

General Information and financing:

 

Because the Fundación Golondrinas is a non-profit organization and therefore does not receive constant funding, volunteers need to contribute 154 GBP ($270 USD) per month.  This fee covers room and board for you as well as financial support for many of their projects. For those with advanced skills in gardening, landscape design, agroforestry, permaculture (with a Permaculture Design Certificate), and for those volunteers who wish to stay longer than three months, they make special financial arrangements.

 

In addition to the programme fee, a deposit of 110 GBP (192 USD) payable to Earth Restoration Service is required to secure your place on the project.

 

Placements are available all throughout the year!  Please email us if you have specific dates in mind, we need three months notice before arrival.

 

We look forward to hearing from you! Saludos!