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Go back in time to when nature was pure and the environment was pristine. Giant tortoises are endangered species that we can not let die. Help reverse the effects of humans!!

The Galapagos Islands, plus those waters within 40 nautical miles measured from the baseline of the Archipelago, were declared the Galapagos Marine Reserve on 1994. This is the second largest Marine Reserve in the World. The Islands' tumultuous volcanic history of scorched earth and fiery flows are evident from the moment you arrive. The creatures of the Galapagos are survivors in a marvelous landscape, an other worldly archipelago nine hundred miles out at sea. Due to their long history of isolation from Homo Sapiens, both land and sea animals remain virtually fearless and unaffected by visitors. As a visitor to the Galapagos, you will swim with sea lions' pups, penguins, sea rays, turtles, tropical reef fish, blue-footed bobbies and more!

Since the arrival of humans to the Galapagos Islands (1537 when the Island were discovered) the population of Giant Tortoises has decreased dramatically. Unfortunately, the Giant Tortoises are on the list of endangered species and it is because of this reason that this projects offers the chance for humans to give back to nature. In the Island of Isabela, participants will be working at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and the Town Hall's Recycling Program.

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
Volunteers will play a key role in helping to feed baby and adult tortoises, cleaning their enclosures, monitoring the eggs, measuring tortoises in order to record their growth and health and more! This project is a unique opportunity for participants to be close to such an important species to the Galapagos as well as a chance to help this species avoid extinction.

Town Hall Recycling Program
The current conservation program that the mayor's office is working on is to re-evaluate and change the current system they use at the trash dump and implement a program of handling solid residues in a more healthy way. This program will involve: working with the community, creating a manual, campaigns in schools etc. The handling of the trash dump from its opening, has not had a correct program for getting rid of the solid residues. The population does not have a reclying program, as much for organic material as inorganic. The residues have increased in an exaggerated way. Per day, the pick up truck makes up to 3 trips: production average of 3 tons daily in days of greater affluence. Volunteers will be working on creating a manual-guide about the recycling program in Isabella and the new trash dump, present the info about the new trash-dump to Isabella, implement a recycling program in the island and more!

Duration

Minimum 2 weeks Maximum 12 weeks

Start Dates

All Mondays of every month.

Requirements

Volunteers must have a great interest in working with endangered species and conservation. There are no formal requirements, but we strongly recommend that you have some basic Spanish skills. It is necessary to have a basic level of fitness, as most of the work consists of carrying heavy loads (even during distribution of food and water for the animals), using tools and walking up and down.