Environmental volunteer work abroad

The Shiripuno Research Center

This project allows volunteers study the butterfly population in Lowlands of the Amazon in Ecuador.

Program Description

The objective of this project is to study butterflies in the Río Shiripuno, located in the Amazon jungle in Ecuador. The volunteer will be able to measure the diversity of the different species and the abundance of butterflies.

From Quito, the volunteer will travel 17 hours – 10 hours by bus to Coca, 3 hours by car to Rio Shiripuno and 4 hours by canoe to the center.

Volunteer work activities

• The first week of every month (from the first to the sixth), the volunteer will participate in the following activities: bringing down the traps in the Canopy, reviewing the traps, putting food in the traps, helping to carry the food (-/+ 3kg), reviewing the traps with food, and collecting and identifying the butterflies. During this week, the volunteer will work 8 hours a day.

• During the other three weeks the volunteer will help to create byways and indicate with signs the byways for the next projects – the volunteer only has to work in the mornings.

• During his/her free time, the volunteer can visit the community of Huaorani de Ñoneno, fish, explore the region in canoe, or see alligators during the night, ….

Volunteer Profile

We are looking for men and women 18 years or older who are willing to stay at least a month – the maximum duration is 6 months.

Accommodation

The accommodation is basic. The volunteer will sleep in a dorm. There is no electricity and no hot water. The food is provided. To call or to use the Internet the volunteer has to go to Coca - 90 km.

What does the Volunteer need to bring?

• Original passport.
• Camera and film (200 and 400 asa) or rechargable batteries.
• Insect repellent (NOT SPRAY).
• Towel.
• Flashlight.
• Batteries/ matches.
• Personal water bottle for the field.
• Day pack for the field.
• Sun screen lotion.
• Raingear, Windbreaker or sweater.
• Wellies/ rubber boots.
• Labor gloves.
• Biodegradable Shampoo, sunblock, first aid kit.
• Ecofriendly soap (wash clothes).
• Bathing suit.
• Sandals.
• Light clothes ( undershirts and trousers).
• Long sleeve shirts and t-shirts in colors like brown, green, blue, beige.
• Blouses or shirts.
• Separate pants for the field and the camp are recommended.
• Shorts / cotton socks, a pair per day.
• Trekking shoes & tennis shoes.
• Hat or Cap and sun glasses.
• Binoculars 10x42 and waterproof (optional, but highly recommended)
• Zip-loc bags for wet clothes or for items you do not want to get wet.
• Books.

Note: Clothes dry slowly due to the humidity.

Duration

The volunteer must work in Shiripuno a minimum of 1 month.
The project starts the 26th of each month.

Free Time

The free time that the volunteers has is only on the weekend. Normally the volunteers will be in the project site beacuse the nearest town is 4 hours away in canoe.

Requirements

An intermediate level of Spanish is required. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve their Spanish skills before starting the project.