Project Name: |
Nature reserve and hostel that promotes conservation, ecotourism, community development and education projects on the banks of Arajuno River in the oriente. |
Project Location: |
Río Arajuno, about 1 hour outside of Tena, in a scenic area in the heart of the jungle |
Project Description: |
Arajuno Jungle Lodge was started by Tom Larson, a former Peace Corp volunteer in Ecuador, who bought this large amount of land to protect the forest and wildlife in the river. Objectives of the reserve and community projects are to: improve health and well being of surrounding Kichwa communities through small aquaculture projects and educational workshops, provide alternate income sources by selling aquaculture products and increasing tourism, improving the overall biodiversity of the zone through decreasing illegal and devastating fishing practices with dynamite, and finally create a model of sustainable development using local resources.
Arajuno is currently running a variety of projects at the lodge and in the area—management of private forest reserves, natural and social scientific research to achieve ecological restoration, implementing ecotourism programs in local communities, environmental education and promotion of sustainable practices, and development of community-based resource management programs. |
Range of Tasks: |
Volunteers undertake a range of tasks at Arajuno, and will work with you to develop a project with you based on our education or interests.
- Environmental—natural resource conservation work, developing native forest management plans, valuable tree species seed collection, tree nursery work, trail maintenance, gardening and upkeep of Lodge and surrounding forest
- Economic– community based tourism project development, through helping local communities develop local tourism resources, training in community tourism, and development of other sources of income, teaching English is also an area of interest for them
- Agriculture/Aquaculture— develop local production systems for native and domestic fish species and other animals as an alternative food source. Develop alternative sources of vitamins through small family gardens. Work with organic fertilizers and pest/weed control.
- Health—provide health information as it relates to family planning, nutrition, disease control, sanitation and more at a local health center or directly in several communities
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Time Committment: |
2 weeks, but 3-6 months is preferred
Volunteers are only accepted in pairs or small groups at Arajuno |
Skills required: |
Spanish: beginner if you are working at the lodge in trail maintenance, intermediate-advanced if you are working in communities and ecotourism |
Schedule: |
Flexible, with 5 days of work and 2 days off, specific schedule arranged upon arrival |
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Click here for general Volunteer
Information
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