Volunteers will be traveling by boat to various communities around the small islands off the coast of Esmeraldas province to help dismantle illegal and abandoned shrimp farms and convert them back into Mangrove forest. We work together with an amazing NGO called Fundación de Defensa Ecologica FUNDECOL and are united in our mission to save what is left of the fragile Mangrove Ecosystem on Ecuadors coast.
Expected Tasks While Volunteering:
- Reforestation of Mangroves
- Patrolling the Reserve for Shrimp Farmer Invasions
- Workshops in the Afro-Ecuadorian Community
- Maintenance of the Center
- Reforestation of Palms
- Reforestation of Tropical Forest
A Typical Day While Volunteering:
A typical day may include embarking on a boat in the morning to various islands in the area searching for illegal shrimp farms and spending the afternoon dismantling and reforesting the natural habitat.
Why This is Important
After two decades of unforgiving deforestation to make way for shrimp farms 90% of Ecuadors Mangrove ecosystem has been irreversibly destroyed. Mangroves are a complex ecosystem that form a natural barrier against the sea on the coast. The fragile ecosystem is a breeding ground for baby fish, shells, clams, oysters, crabs, and other sea animals who require the Mangroves to reproduce. When Mangrove forests are destroyed it directly affects the entire food chain and even threatens migratory birds who rely on the area for food with extinction.
The destruction of the mangrove forests by large companies that sell the prawns and shrimp to markets in the United States and Europe have greatly decreased the fish stocks in the area which directly impacts many small, indigenous fishing villages that rely on eating fish to survive and have previously lived off the land harmoniously for hundreds of years.
By helping rescue the Mangrove forests you will not only be giving hope to the future generations of Esmeraldas but also making an incredible difference to help reverse this environmental catastrophe. We must work together to save what little is left!
Here are some photos taken by previous volunteers on the Coastline Regeneration Project
The Volunteer Perfect for this Program:
- people who are passionate about conservation
- anyone who loves the beach, hot weather, and sea food
- a biologist eager to gain more experience in the field
Price per month:
- $300 per month
- $225 three weeks
- $150 two weeks
- $95 one week
A $50 administration fee is charged once at the start of the program.
Price Includes:
- Lodging in the Foundations House
- Training and Support
- Transportation by Boat to the Islands
- Contribution to the Foundation
- A Work Recommendation Letter
Volunteers will also receive an instant discount on all Trekking and Mountain Climbing expeditions.
Volunteers will be volunteering between Monday to Friday with weekends free for leisure time or travel around Ecuador. You will have to take your own food to prepare meals in the kitchen facilities provided.
Check out other volunteer testimonials from the Coastline Conservation Program
Want to Make a Difference? Contact Us!
Use the contact form below or email us on: ecuadorecovolunteer@gmail.com
