Volunteer Opportunity: Live, Explore, Garden, and Grow in the Peruvian Amazon with the Ama

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Puerto Maldonado

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 2/7/10-2/7/11

Description: Motivated volunteers are encouraged to come join our program at the Amazon Conservation Association's CICRA (Centro por Investigación y Capacitación en el Río Los Amigos) biological research station of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. As an isolated station on the Madre de Dios River, our station is working towards sustainability in all aspects; already, we function mainly on solar power for the majority of our energy requirements. In an effort to reduce the amount of gas used to transport produce for so long up-river, and to provide the station with fresh vegetables, CICRA constructed an organic garden. We believe that conservation and environmental awareness is not only a
function of large-scale scientific research but of lifestyle and hope to model that in our station. Innovative and excited volunteers are needed at CICRA to help maintain and improve our garden. Prior gardening experience and Spanish are both helpful but not mandatory for acceptance into our program.

Volunteers are expected to work four days a week and are not necessarily limited solely to gardening; there are many opportunities to experience: the rainforest and participate first-hand in various tropical conservation initiatives.

Highlights: On days off, Volunteers are encouraged to explore the forest on our extensive 50km trail system. Being part of one of the most diverse forests on the planet, naturally our forest is full of amazing attractions and sights which include: a black water lake with three resident anacondas; multiple ox-bow lakes, one of which has a small port with canoes where visitors can paddle around to see the amazing Hoatzin birds and perhaps a family of giant river otters; and a 60m observation tower which provides an impressive view of sunsets and sunrises over the forest; at the station there have
been 4,631 species identified including a plethora of primates such as saki monkeys and emperor tamarins, macaws, peccaries, capybaras, tapirs, jaguar, and countless fantastic frogs and insects. We hope that volunteers will feel inspired to share the exciting and worthwhile work here at the Los Amigos Biological Station to help us create a more sustainable future. Come experience the Amazon, not as a
tourist, but as a resident.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: Spanish speaking skills and experience in organic farming recommended but not mandatory.

Cost in US$: USD 25 a day

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: motivated individuals who love the outdoors, working with organic gardens and are passionate about conservation.

Age Range: 18-25

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Centro por Investigacion y Capacitacion en el Rio Los Amigos's Mission Statement: Established in 2000, Los Amigos is managed by ACCA in coordination with the neighboring 145,918-ha Los Amigos Conservation Concession. The station sits on a high terrace between the Madre de Dios and Los Amigos rivers and provides easy access to a variety of forest types and aquatic habitats. With capacity for 60 visitors, the installations include 250 m2 of laboratories and offices, >50 km of trails, a digital herbarium, a scientific library of >500 volumes, three 60-m radio towers, a landing strip, internet access and two satellite stations 3 and 21 km away. Since 2003 our grants program has brought >300 scientists to Los Amigos. CICRA also offers several field courses each year in partnership with the Amazonian Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER).

Year Founded: 1999