Our goal is to support, strengthen and enhance Jatun Sacha-Ecuador’s conservation program by sending people who are interested in working and supporting our efforts in the protection of Ecuador’s native forests and ecosystems. We will supply correct and accurate information about our local conservation programs in order to maximize the volunteer experience and enable Jatun Sacha – Ecuador take full advantage of the resources each individual brings to the effort.

As a volunteer you will experience firsthand the difficulties of environmental conservation in the tropics as well as celebrate the results of your work. Our volunteers often returned to the reserves year after year and serve as conservation ambassadors when in their home countries.

How You Can Make a Difference:
Ecuador,  despite its small size, is among the sixteen most bio-diverse countries on Earth. Ecuador has over 1,500 species of birds, more than 840 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 341 species of mammals. Of these, 14.2% are endemic meaning they exist in no other country of which 10.2% of these are threatened. Ecuador is also home to over 19,000 species of vascular plants, of which 20.7% are endemic.

Unfortunately, Ecuador has the distinction of having the highest deforestation rate and worst environmental record in South America. Oil exploration, logging, and road building have had a disastrous impact on Ecuador's primary rainforests, which now cover less than 18 percent of the country's land mass. From 1990 to 2000, Ecuador lost an average of 197,600 hectares of forest per year. In total, between 1990 and 2005, measuring the total rate of habitat conversion (defined as change in forest area plus change in woodland area minus net plantation expansion), Ecuador lost 19.2% of its forest and woodland habitat.

With the support from our volunteers, we currently work toward the conservation of biodiversity, reforestation, rural community projects, and sustainable development in Ecuador. Specifically we work in innovative programs in agro forestry, reforestation, organic production and sustainable aquaculture in mangrove ecosystems, includes carbon fixation, health and nutrition improvement, handicrafts commercialization and some other research projects in mainland, marine and island areas all over Ecuador.



Click on the specific reserve on the map to read more about our biological stations.