Fundacion Jatun Sacha
various | Ecuador
Ecuador-002
Jatun Sacha is a well established environmental conservation organization in Ecuador. Interns work at one of several biological reserves at the coast, the Amazon, the Galapagos or the highlands of Ecuador. Activities including data field research, environmental education, community service, plant conservation, agroforestry, horticulture, aquaculture, marine conservation or reserve maintenance. Completion of 1st year university Spanish minimum.
Internships Details
About the Organization
The Jatun Sacha Foundation (JSF) offers interns with opportunities to develop a wide variety of activities including data field research, environmental education, community service, plant conservation, agroforestry, aquaculture and reserve maintenance along with the smaller objectives that include the promotion of biodiversity conservation, research, education, and other community programs. Activities are carried out in each of their 7 biological stations. Along with the smaller objectives that include the promotion of biodiversity conservation, research, education, and other community programs. IE3 Global Internships has been sending interns to Jatun Sacha since the mid-1990's. IE3 coordinates with Jatun Sacha Foundation to offer internships at the following reserves: Bilsa (Coastal Zone), Jatun Sacha (Amazon Rainforest), San Cristobal (Galapagos Islands), Lalo Loor (Coastal Zone), Congal (Coastal Zone), La Guandera (Andes Mountains) and La Hesperia (Andes Mountains) reserves.
Job Description
Work in biological reserves in either the coast, the Amazon, the Andes or Galapagos Islands. Activities include reforestation, agro-forestry, station maintenance, assisting current research, community environmental education, resource management projects, forest and plant nurseries, aquaculture, agro-forestry, community development, organic agriculture, horticulture, etc. See site specific information below.
Bilsa Biological Station and Reserve
Location: Mache Chindul Mountains, northwestern coastal province of Esmeraldas
Activities: Seed collection, Planting of seeds in nursery beds, Maintenance and monitoring nursery beds, Replanting trees and Reforestation projects, Maintenance of paths and gardens, Maintenance of fruit tree gardens
Individual Projects: Maintenance of Orchid & Bromelia gardens, Maintenance of trails in the forest , Natural Regeneration studies in primary & secondary forest and in reforested areas , Medicinal plant garden, Carpentry, Bird studies, Teaching at a nearby community school, Assist scientists
Jatun Sacha Biological Station and Reserve
Location: Upper Napo River, Amazon region of Ecuador
Activities: Compost maintenance, Botanical gardens maintenance, Seeds collection, Soil preparation, Tree nursery maintenance, Vegetable garden maintenance, Trails maintenance, Workshops of handicrafts with Quichua community, Reforestation projects, Precipitation and temperature data collection, Agroforestry experiments – data collection, Maintenance of facilities, Assist in the kitchen, Teaching English at nearby schools, Cacao harvesting, drying and production of chocolate
San Cristobal Biological Station and Reserve
(see position description; costs differ from mainland reserves)
Location: San Cristobal Island, Galapagos
Activities: Habitat restoration, Reforestation with native species, Seed collection and classification, Nursery work, Organic agriculture, Agroforestry, Station Maintenance, Trail Maintenance, Sign elaboration for trails, Basic construction activities, Help clean fresh water supply, Help in the kitchen, Petrel’s observation: nest finding, etc., Phenology studies and flora inventories, Bird’s observation, Germination project, Coffee production
Congal Biomarine Station and Reserve
Location: Muisne County, Southern Province of Esmeraldes, Coastal Region of Ecuador
Activities: Weekly aquaculture pond monitoring, Oyster culture, Mangrove and tropical humid forest restoration, Maintenance of planted trees, Work in tree nursery, Inventory and mapping of reforested areas, Weekly beach walks for turtle monitoring, oyster shell and driftwood collection, Beach clean ups, Organic gardening, Planting and maintenance of organic cacao, Implementation of tropical farming models, Fruit harvests, Shrimp harvests from organic aquaculture ponds, Maintenance of environmentally friendly pastures, Carpentry, Path making and maintenance, Teach English at local elementary school, Assist in local day-care centers, Assist in health care or public hospital, Assist local farmers, Litter Reduction Program, Environmental Education
Lalo Loor Biological Station and Reserve
Location: Northern Manabi Province, Coastal Region of Ecuador
Activities: Reforestation and agroforestry, Alternative Income Generation Activities, Trail Maintenance, Reserve Infrastructure, Teaching Opportunities, Forest Hiking, Environmental Education, Mini Construction or research projects, Community visits
Future projects: Teaching/Information Clerk at new Environmental Interpretation Center, New reforestation project, Extend nursery to bring back aquaculture and harvest fresh water shrimp, Design/construct a new organic vegetable garden, Build information posts about local flora and fauna, Eco-construction projects, Aid in eco-tourism projects, Assist with biological inventories
Guandera Reserve
Location: Carchi Province, Northern Ecuador (Andes Mountains)
Activities:
Organic Agriculture, Alternative Animal Production, Biological Inventories, Herbariam Collection, Research Assistants, Meteorological Station, Reserve Maintenance, Environmental Education, English teaching, Personal research, Work in the Center for the Conservation of Andean Plants
La Hesperia Biological Station and Reserve
Location: Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas province, Western Ecuador
Activities:
Program A: Conservation in the Cloud Forest
Restoring degraded areas, Sustainable Wood Production, Wildlife program, Research, Organic Vegetable Garden, Trail Maintenance, Medicinal Garden
Program B: The Way to Sustainability
Organic Vegetable Garden, Organic Agriculture, Production of Organic Pesticides and Fertilizers, Alternative Animal Production, Bio-food production, Sustainable wood production, Medicinal Garden, Eco-construction, Alternative energy
Program C: Community Development (4 months minimum)
Health Program, Teaching
# of Positions per term
2-4
Start Dates
Beginning of any academic term
Duration of Internship
10-12 Weeks minimum; longer is possible
Qualifications
Academic Background
Biology, marine biology, environmental studies, environmental science, natural resources, forest engineers, forest management, ecology, botany, horticulture, agriculture/agroforestry, geography, natural resource management, etc.
Skills/Experience
Strong interest in conservation.
Language Ability
Minimum - completion of 1st year college-level Spanish (recently). The more Spanish, the better.
Other Requirements
Willingness to work outdoors and to reside in camp-like living conditions. Should also bring the health certificate and police record obtained for your visa application to be given to the host organization.
Please send a check for $47 payable to Jatun Sacha for an administrative fee along with your IE3 Global Internships application.
Internship Costs
Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.
IE3 Program Fee
The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE3 page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.
*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.
Estimated One-Time Expenses
| Expense Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Host Site Fees | $1050-1240* |
| International Travel | $1100-$1300 |
| Visa Fees | $0-$180* |
| Recommended Immunizations | $500-$700 |
*See Additional Cost Information below.
Estimated Monthly Expenses
| Expense Type | Price/month |
|---|---|
| Housing | included* |
| Food | included* |
| Local Transportation | $25 |
| Recreation | $25 |
| Personal Expenses | $50 |
Compensation
None.
Additional Expense Information
Please send a check for $47 payable to Jatun Sacha for an administrative fee along with your IE3 Global Internships application.
2009 fees - for food and lodging at the mainland stations, payable upon arrival in Quito (by check, cash or traveler's check):
$1050 for 10 weeks
$1155 for 11 weeks
$1240 for 12 weeks
(see the position description for San Cristobal-Galapagos fees as they are different)
Please budget about $100 per month for incidentals, local travel, recreation.
Transfer service (pick up service from the airport):
If you need a transfer service, there is a guy at the office who has been working with us since 11 years ago. He is a nice, reliable and responsible person. He tends to gather volunteers from the airport and take them to the hotel, to the office the orientation meeting day, to purchase materials needed for volunteers to carry the reserve and more. For this service the minimum amount of the charge is $30usd per person and for two people $40usd.
Ecuador Visa: all interns who will be in Ecuador for more than 90 days total are required to obtain a Visa from the Ecuadorian Consulate. The IE3 Latin America director will assist with this process. Visa fees are currently $180 and students must present in person at the Ecuadorian Consulate in San Francisco.
Additional Information
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Last Updated on Aug 14, 2008