Projects in agriculture, reforestation, and rehabilitation of native environment in the highlands of island San Cristobal, in the Galapagos

Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos

Hacienda Tranquila is a 50 hectare working dairy ranch and eco-tourism project in the highlands of Isla San Cristobal, where there is still native vegetation.  One of the objectives of this new station will be to develop the technology to reconstruct native habitat in the highlands, and to serve as a centre for similar projects in the Galapagos chain. The remaining native highland forests on the populated islands are quite limited due to farming activities in general, and the introduction of useful, but very invasive, species from the mainland. Rare for the Galapagos, the focus of their work is on the human population and environment of the islands, as opposed to the wildlife. With this in mind Hacienda Tranquila aims to carry our projects that, in a sustainable manner, improve the quality of life of the islands inhabitants.

Range of volunteer tasks: There are a range of volunteer tasks to be carried out at Hacienda Tranquila, either in the area of environment and reforestation, community development and education, or therapy for disabled children.

• Volunteers with interest in environmental preservation can work to reverse the negative effects of invasive or introduced species, restoring the native and endemic forests of San Cristobal.  Volunteers work in a controlled plot of land to eliminate introduced/ invasive plant species and to restore native and endemic species, growing the plants first in a greenhouse, and then transplanting them to their permanent locations. 
• Volunteers with interest in working with children can do social work with organizations such as the Instituto Nacional del Nino y la Familia (INFA) to promote environmental conservation among young children from the island as well as motivate community members to plant local, rather than introduced vegetation.  In addition, you can mentor a child from INFA, working with them in gardening, environmental education, and fieldtrips to the Hacienda. 
• You can work with the local highlander families in the areas of: livestock and horse care; milking and milk delivery; wild blackberry control; fence maintenance; seedling and plant care; tree planting; teaching English or other subjects in the local school
• For volunteers with experience in physiotherapy, there is the opportunity to work on projects for disabled children with horseback riding therapy.

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 12 and 2:30- 5:00 p.m. Volunteers are free to explore the port town and discover the island’s many tourist attractions on the weekends.

Volunteers live two to a room at the hacienda itself, where there is a full kitchen, bathroom and shower with hot water. Volunteers cook for themselves together, but have access to the abundance of fresh fruit, milk, and coffee from the surrounding area. Prices vary but are between $150 for one week to $320 for four weeks. Volunteers must also cover their own park entrance fees $100 and flights to the Galapagos Islands.