La Hesperia is a nature reserve located in the western range of the Ecuadorian Andes at an altitude of 1100 – 2040 meters (3,600-6,600 feet) above sea level. With an area of 814 hectares, it is located in the center of the Rio Toachi-Chiriboga IBA (Important Bird Area, designated by Bird Life International and Conservation International) and it is part of two important bioregions: The Tropical Andes and the Chocó Darien in Western Ecuador which is considered to be within the top five biodiversity hotspots on earth.
La Hesperia strives to be a model of sustainability. During your experience you will not only help us achieve our goals and contribute to the conservation of the environment, you will also develop new skills and learn about sustainable wood production, alternative animal production, organic agriculture, bio-food production, alternative energy and sustainable construction. You will also have the opportunity to improve your Spanish speaking ability and to meet a lot of great people!
Volunteer Profile:
The program is designed for volunteers interested in nature, sustainability, agriculture, animal breeding, bio-food, organic gardening and spending some time in a particularly breathtaking corner of the great outdoors.
Duration: 2 - 12 weeks (Learn more and see fee structure here)
Volunteer Activities:
Soil Preparation, Seed Planting, Weeding, and Harvesting.
Maintanence of banana, sugarcane, coffee, and citrus fields (clearing with a machete, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting, etc.)
La Hesperia has cows, chickens, horses, and mules. Volunteers will participate in activities like feeding these animals, planting the crops to feed them, maintenance of pastures, fencing, milking and taking the milk on the mule into town.
Volunteers will participate in the process of making of home-made cheese, butter, yogurt, chocolate, coffee, pasta, bread, pizza, dried fruits and vinegar.
- Forestry Program & Sustainable Wood Production
Volunteer activities could include: Collecting seeds, nursery maintenance, trail maintenance, tree care, and reforestation
Construction with COB, bamboo and wood depending on the time of the year. If at the time of your stay there is no current construction project underway, the staff will conduct a COB workshop if volunteers are interested.
