Overview

Join us at Las Tangaras reserve in Ecuador for an incredible experience living in, learning about, and exploring the cloud forest. Volunteering as a Reserve Assistant is a valuable learning experience in conservation and ecological research and an excellent opportunity to gain new skills and experience, and have fun! At Las Tangaras we like to say that everyday is an adventure. There is always something new to discover!

Las Tangaras is a 50-hectare ecological reserve managed by Life Net Nature (https://lifenetnature.org), a non-profit conservation organization. Set in spectacular cloud forest near Mindo (100 km west of Quito, Ecuador), the protected area provides habitat for native plants and animals associated with tropical montane forest.  As a buffer property for the Mindo-Nambillo Bosque Protector, Las Tangaras provides wildlife with additional habitat at elevations typically deforested for pasture and agriculture.

Along with protecting native species, we host visitors who seek peaceful times in tropical nature, and we maintain a small facility for students and scientists wishing to pursue research of tropical montane forest ecosystems. We invite “ecologically minded” visitors to come – birdwatchers, photographers, and students of wildlife conservation.

Volunteers assist in important ongoing biological research about the fascinating Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (we have the largest display leks in the region), hummingbirds (they come to the feeders at the porch!), and local avian diversity. Volunteers may contribute to a variety of exciting projects like:

  • Photography and identification of barely known species via iNaturalist.
  • Creation of signs and educational materials for visitors.
  • Helping take care of the orchard and garden.
  • Planting fruiting and flowering plants to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
  • Trail and reserve maintenance.
  • List making of wildlife at the reserve (e.g. Big Days via eBird).
  • And anything else we need to accomplish at the reserve!

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and ages, and we especially encourage young people with Biology, Environmental Sciences and related degrees who want to gain some experience or wish to spend a wonderful time in a quite remote tropical montane forest surrounded by all kinds of biodiversity. If you have experience in a certain area, there is a project for you for sure. Hosting volunteers is a good opportunity for us to learn new ideas too!

We include free time and siesta during the day, and weekends are free for you to explore and relax. There is a lot to do in the area including hiking to nearby waterfalls, canopy ziplining, swimming in ponds and learning how to make chocolate, just to name a few.

Those who would like to contribute to the reserve as a volunteer may stay for 1-4 weeks for $10 a day. As we are a non-profit organization, this donation covers accommodation and contributes towards the work of the Reserve. Food is agreed upon with the current managers, but typically comes around $5-10/day. A stay of at least one week ensures that you get the most of your experience. We would be excited to have you volunteer at the reserve and we thank you in advance!

Please call or text us at (+593) 099 058 7084 or email lastangarasreserve@gmail.com for more information or if you are interested in volunteering at the Reserve!

NOTE: no volunteers will be accepted for the period 1-16th December 2019.

https://lastangaras.wordpress.com/volunteer/