Sustainable Development Volunteer

We are seeking a sustainable development Volunteer who can help create programs surrounding conservation and environmental stewardship. El Chaco, Ecuador is growing and our department wants this growth to help teach students and future generations how to take care of their surroundings.

With a local bamboo forest conservation project only 3 KM away there is great potential for interactive learning experiences. This forest was planted as a way of reclaiming land that had been was used for a landfill 10 years ago. Now, there are over 30 different types of bamboo, a greenhouse with various local plants, and countless animal species living on that land. With a pond in the middle, amphibians and snakes will soon be introduced to this land.

We need someone who wants to develop new opportunities for students and the local community that teach about sustainability and conservation in new ways. There are two national parks within driving distance, one of which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Río Quijos runs next to the town and is internationally known for whitewater rafting and kayaking. These can also be great additions to the sustainability curriculum.

With countless farms, the community already has an understanding of what it means to be connected to the land. What we are looking for is someone who cares about the environment and can share and teach that love to others. While doing this, the volunteer will be able to make the project their own. We want people to be innovative and create something that is special to our community. While teaching environmental stewardship and creating projects around that would be your main focus, there are also plenty of other opportunities to help here. There are English classes, music classes, farming, a martial arts institute, and plenty more for a person to get involved with here.

We recommend the intern arrive with intermediate Spanish competency. We will provide transportation from and to the airport in Quito, housing with a host family, Quito and Tena are each only 2 hours away if you want some city life. If you want to embrace the outdoors, there are many beautiful locales very close to El Chaco.