VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

 

ANTECEDENTS: The Colon`s Archipelago or just Galapagos Islands, also known as The Enchanted Islands. It is a group of volcanic islands, it is formed by 13 large islands, 6 smeller islands and over 107 (islotes), and they are distributed around Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean along 972 km west of Continental Ecuador, which conforms the main part since they were annexed in 1832. Today, Galapagos is a province of Ecuador, a National Park and a Marine Biological Reserve.

The islands have a population of around 20 00O permanent inhabitants, and they are distributed in San Cristobal (Puerto Baquerizo Morena provincial capital) around 3000 inhabitants, Santa Cruz (the most populated and busiest as tourist hub) has about 15000 inhabitants, Isabela Island (the largest in area) with about 1800 inhabitants and Floreana Island with 600 inhabitants. The official language of the islands in Ecuador is Spanish, although it is a purely tourist site only 10% of the population speaks English.

The Galapagos Island are famous for its numerous endemic species and the Charles Darwin`s studies, who established his theory about Evolution by Natural Selection. The flora and fauna are found there, is almost unique and it can not be found anywhere else in the world that’s why many tourists visit and enjoy meeting endemic animals and plants.

Galapagos Islands was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1979 by UNESCO and, six years later as a Biosphere Reserve (1985), which has resulted in a growing international interest in this archipelago. In 2007, the Galapagos Islands was declared as a World Heritage Site in environmental risk and was included on the List of World Heritage in danger until 2010.

Galapagos Islands are distant from the continent and people can access them only by air, the costs for the provision of goods from the continent expensive life considerably, for this reason the visit only tourist cruises and programs to the islands become inaccessible for young professionals who want to know this wonderful, natural, famous environment its flora and fauna.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN GALAPAGOSPeople can access the Volunteer in Galapagos Islands will have the opportunity to meet one of the natural wonders most visited on the world and a rich diversity and biological importance, with unparalleled beauty where endemic species coexist peacefully, and native populations which has its main support in sustainable tourism to be promoted.

All volunteer programs are coordinates with Government and Private Entities that support each of the activities to be developed to optimize the time of stay of volunteers and also allow them to have some free time to know and enjoy the environment where any contribution is welcome.

OBJECTIVES:• The participation of volunteers in improving the living conditions of the social environment of the population.• Awareness of the importance of conservation of unique and fragile ecosystems in the world.• Provide the volunteer with a rewarding work experience in a unique natural environment.• Make efforts to eradicate and control invasive species through ecological practices in land use.• Watershed management and micro watersheds.• Exchange of customs, such as mutual cultural contribution between volunteers and residents of the agricultural sector of San Cristobal Galapagos.• Teaching - learning language.• Knowledge for volunteers in resource management and protected areas of Galapagos.• Sustainable development with communities especially the residents of the Cat Hill, through activities related to alternative energy production and organic foods.• Conduct the management of the farm based on guidelines and criterios for Ecological Easements (with involvement of official agencies as the National Park Service, which is responsible for the management and conservation of the Islands).• Knowledge and basic practice of the operation of Ecuador View Express as tourist operator in Galapagos Islands.