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Kaya Responsible Travel - Turtle and Marine Bird Environmental Conservation and Education in Ecuador (Directory Program)

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  • Locations: Galapagos, Ecuador; Quito, Ecuador; Quito, Ecuador
  • Program Terms: Fall, J-Term, Jan Term, Janterm, May Term, Semester, Spring, Summer, Summer I, Summer II, Summer III, Summer IV, Trimester, Winter
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: Kaya Responsible Travel 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English Click here for a definition of this term Class Status: 1-first year, 2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior, 5-grad student, 6-other
Housing Options: Camping, Dormitory, Guest House, Other Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Independent Study, Sciences, Zoology
Program Type: Field Study, Volunteer Abroad
Program Description:
Turtle and Marine Environmental Conservation and Education in Ecuador

Project Summary

Volunteer and support turtle and marine environmental conservation and education in Ecuador. This research, conservation and education project located on the Pacific Coast works to protect the lives and habitats of turtles, sharks and other marine life. It focuses on the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle, alongside the Green Turtle and the Olive Ridley breeds. From May to September beaches in the Northern Esmerelda region are also monitored.

Involvement of local communities is essential for sustainable conservation efforts and educating them in the results of scientific investigation is important. The project has developed an excellent Environmental Education Program that involves local school children in activities such as beach cleaning, small garden construction and the production of informative conservation murals.

Why choose this project?

This environmental conservation project relies on volunteer help to gather significant and consistent data, and maintain a protective presence in the turtle nesting area. Data gathered here contributes to important studies regarding policy development for the Ecuadorian environmental agencies, while on a more local level developing environmental awareness in the children of the town. You will benefit from acquiring new skills in conservation and applying these in a Spanish context, which is just the type of work experience that your future employers may be looking for.

Role of the Volunteer:

Volunteers work in 3 main areas.

Research
  • data collection & technical sampling – such as recording size and stats of turtles (live) and sharks (captured by fishermen at the local markets)
  • statistical data analysis and data entry
  • Turtle tagging

Turtle Monitoring
  • beach patrols during nesting season (including night patrols)
  • moving nests laid in unprotected areas

Environmental Education
  • work with children of primary schools teaching them about the importance of conserving the marine ecosystems (May to October), including garden and mural design
  • create, develop and implement projects at the Ecoclub
  • participate in a beach and marine-floor cleaning program

Skills Required

Your role will depend on your skills and experience. Participants in this project will require some skills or knowledge in one of the following fields:
  • marine biology/sciences education, statistical analysis experience
  • work with children, participation in environmental campaigns
  • interest in environmental conservation, willingness to learn
All volunteers will need to be fit enough to work in the water, able to cope with patrolling beaches day and night, have an interest in the environment, be enthusiastic, willing to learn and work with others. Volunteers are not required to speak Spanish, although it is beneficial.

Click here for more information

Click here to apply