Overview

Life Net Nature seeks a capable couple with backgrounds in natural area management, ecotourism, conservation biology, birding, and/or related fields to steward and live at Reserva Las Tangaras.

The reserve (~150 acres) is near Mindo, Ecuador and secures habitat for native plants and animals, including many endemic species, and is home to more than 300 bird species. New stewards overlap with out-going stewards by two full days for training – typically an 88-day commitment at the reserve within a 90-day tourist visa (with a day at each end for arrival and departure in Ecuador).

We have three openings for 2019: March 28-July 5 July 2 – September 29 September 26 – December 23 Qualifications include at least one person with the ability to communicate well in Spanish (intermediate or above), and at least one person with a university degree in a topic related to the position. We seek applicants with experience in biology field work in the tropics, with hospitality and nature interpretation, with guiding nature or birding tours, with simple bio-regional living experiences, with wilderness, leave no trace camping ethics, with carpentry, plumbing, and building skills, with financial management and marketing experience, first aid training, and with business & common sense.

Duties include cabin, trail, and property maintenance, water and septic system monitoring, transport of gas tanks, care and use of reserve tools, equipment, research materials, doing inventories and upkeep of a small library. Managers collect data on weather, dynamics of an Andean Cock-of-the Rock lek (mating display area), and record hummingbird species visiting cabin feeders. Once stewards develop skill with bird identification they keep a monthly bird list and report day surveys to eBird. Stewards sustain small organic gardens and agro-forestry projects and must maintain and expand work of previous stewards such as construction projects, repairs, ecotourism promotion and services.

This is a demanding job, so good physical fitness and energetic enthusiasm are required. As a buffer property on the edge of the Mindo-Namibillo Bosque Protector, Reserva Las Tangaras provides additional habitat for wildlife at elevations typically deforested for agriculture, and more recently, for poorly regulated and harmful “adventure” tourism. Las Tangaras receives light visitation by bird-watchers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and tropical biology researchers and students. Contributions from visitors help to sustain the reserve and fund the monthly manager stipend of $300/couple.

Stewards must be capable of: 1. Hosting nature-oriented guests and visitors and maintaining a tidy and clean research station and guest cabin. 2. Keeping financial records and managing reservations via AirBnb, phones, & internet. 3. Maintaining all trails on the reserve and the entrance bridge 4. Improving trail(s) and signage from main road 5. Sustaining gardens and orchards, and wildlife friendly plantings 6. Using Excel & Word for monthly reports, updating and recording data, 7. Completing a quality blog entry (at least monthly 8. Doing regular emails with Life Net, sending thank you emails to guests, and contributing to eBird. The reserve is an incredible place to live, and research and photographic opportunities abound. Stewardship couples receive a $300/month cost of living stipend to be used for their needs and for costs of managing the reserve. Stewards may earn additional income by providing food and beverages, and by offering guide services to visitors. Longer contracts are possible, but stewards must obtain extended visas on their own prior to starting the position, and must sign a contract indicating such longer term agreements.

To Apply: As one PDF document, please send 1) a joint cover letter expressing interests and qualifications of each person in the couple, 2) your two professional resumes (CVs), and 3) three easily contactable references per applicant. Email materials to Dr. Dusti Becker at dustizuni@yahoo.com.