La Hesperia Biological Reserve

Habitat and Location

The La Hesperia reserve is family owned, creating a new type of conservation management model as a role model for surrounding land owners. The reserve's activities are centred on sustainable management. La Hesperia is striving to become a model of integrated farming with the concept of preservation of the natural forest as a primary objective. This method will help to promote economic activities that are environmentally friendly, while also beneficial for the local communities.

La Hesperia is located in the western range of the Andes at an altitude of 1100 - 2040 metres above sea level. It is located in the center of the Rio Toachi-Chiriboga Important Bird Area and it is part of two important bioregions: The Tropical Andes and the Choco Darien-Western Ecuador, which are considered two of the world's top five biodiversity hotspots due to the high levels of biodiversity and the number of endemic species found within these threatened ecosystems. The station works in natural conservation, combating deforestation, protecting existing forest, restoring degraded areas and searching for sustainable activities to support the reserve and to offer a better way of life for the local community as well as those who work and live at the reserve.

Currently, almost 300 bird species have been identified at La Hesperia, of which ten are endemic to the region and seven are vulnerable or in danger of extinction. The reserve is the ideal place to observe the colourful Cock of the Rock, Golden-headed Quetzal, Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Wattled Guan, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Red-billed Parrot, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, and Violet-tailed Sylph. Many different mammal species including agouties, White-fronted capuchin monkeys, tayra, collared peccaries, jaguarondi, ocelot, armadillos, bats, squirrels and deer, have also been observed. La Hesperia is also an extremely important area for conservation of biodiversity and the protection of local watersheds.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in shared rooms (1-5 volunteers per room), with running water, electricity and hot showers provided, and with a telephone available for emergencies. Bedding (pillow, sheets, and blankets) will be provided but a sleeping bag may be necessary if you are planning to travel to colder parts of the country. We offer a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals that include traditional Ecuadorian food. Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms are available for couples at an extra charge.

Volunteer Activities

Volunteers work from 08:30-12:15 and 14:00-17:00, Monday to Friday. Every other week volunteers will have a 'long weekend' (Friday to Sunday). Volunteers may work in the following areas:

• Forestry Program - restore degraded areas of native forest. This involves work in the plant nursery, preparation of land for replanting, transplanting, tree care and forest inventories. Volunteers also help plant trees for sustainable use, including mahogany and cedar.
• Research - collect and analyse data from the different areas of research, including botany, fauna, organic vegetable garden and the weather.
• Wildlife Program - look after the hummingbird and mammal feeders and plant botanical species that provide food for the wild animals.
• Alternative animal and bio-food production - the reserve has a variety of animals volunteers will help feed and milk. Participate in the production of home-made produce including cheese and chocolate.
• Health program - volunteers with experience in medicine or first-aid can assist at the local clinic which serves approximately 120 families. This may include distributing medicine, giving shots, and visiting families to provide instruction health care (those staying more than 4 weeks)
• Community program - live and work with a local family who invite volunteers to help on their farm as a cultural exchange (those staying more than 4 weeks)

Volunteers also participate in group hikes, help maintain the reserve's infrastructure and attend lectures on environmental topics.

Those with experience may also contribute by helping to write grant proposals and other communications on behalf of the reserve.

Free Time

You can go for hikes on trails around the reserve and there is a weekly football match between volunteers and locals on a Wednesday. On weekends you can get to several interesting local towns, including Quito, Banõs, Riobamba, and Otavalo. You can also arrange to go white-water rafting as a day trip from the reserve. The alternating long weekend system allows volunteers to travel around Ecuador and visit other ecosystems.

Number of Volunteers

You can expect to be placed with between 5 and 30 other volunteers.

Spanish Requirements

You can get by without knowing Spanish, but the more you know the more you will gain during your time on the reserve from being able to converse with the local people.

To apply for this program, click here.

To return to the reserves page, click here.