In een oogopslag
- Experience life on the world-famous Galapagos Islands, working alongside local experts to support a unique natural ecosystem.
- Participate in vital conservation work inside the Galapagos National Park, supporting the protection of endangered species and their habitat.
- Deliver conservation awareness workshops and carry out basic renovation work, supporting communities to keep local areas clean and functional.
- Designed specifically for participants aged 50 and above. You’ll enjoy comfortable accommodation and the support of our local team
- Meet and connect with other older volunteers who share your passion for conservation and travel
- Download a sample itinerary for this project
Is doing Conservation Work in Ecuador for older adults right for me?
This programme offers the perfect blend of wildlife protection, community engagement and cultural discovery. Specifically designed for volunteers over 50, you will join a group of like-minded, mature individuals who share your passion for giving back through travel.
Together, you’ll experience the Galapagos Islands in an authentic way while contributing to the protection of the Galapagos Giant Tortoise and other native species like the marine iguana and sea lions.
You will also engage with the community by running lessons and playing games with children at a community centre, and create a mural to raise awareness about environmental challenges.
You don’t need to have any specific qualifications or experience to take part. You’ll assist experienced local conservationists with the full support of Projects Abroad staff.
This project runs over fixed dates during the year and has a set itinerary. Once you arrive in the Galapagos Islands, everything will be organised for you, including sightseeing and social activities.
What will I do on this project?
Spend your first week in San Cristobal, one of the three main islands of the Galapagos, where you will be dedicated to conservation work, with a weekend trip to Santa Cruz.
In your second week, your time will be shared between the continuation of your conservation work and community engagement initiatives.
You will
- support conservationists inside the Galapagos National Park
- help at the Tortoise Breeding Centre
- paint a creative mural to raise awareness about environmental issues
- play with children at a community centre and deliver engaging lessons
- explore the island and expand your horizons
Your work will focus mainly on the following:
Work in Galapagos National Park
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most species-rich regions on earth, and host many unique species of flora and fauna thanks to their isolation.
During your time in San Cristobal, You will work closely with the Galapagos National Park, assisting on various important ongoing research projects.
Due to a lack of funding, the park is understaffed and relies on volunteers (like you) to continue the conservation research needed and protect this important ecosystem. Help them collect data by conducting surveys on native animals, including sea lions, marine iguanas and different seabirds. This work is vital, as the results are used to advise the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment for policy-making.
To help preserve local ecosystems, you will learn about invasive flora and fauna and the active measures used to control them. You'll get hands-on by removing alien plant species and planting native flora in their place. Outside of these conservation efforts, you will also have the opportunity to spend time supporting a local dog shelter and hanging out with its adorable residents.
Play with children at a community centre and deliver engaging lessons
You will learn how to prepare and run lessons before visiting a local community centre to organise fun outdoor activities and encourage learning through play.
Create a mural
To help your conservation efforts last long after you leave the island, share your new knowledge with the local residents in a creative way. Work as a group to design a mural highlighting environmental challenges and the importance of protecting the island's natural heritage.
Explore the island and expand your horizons
When you’re not working, you will have time to relax by the beach and immerse yourself fully in the island’s culture and way of life. To ensure you make the most of your stay, our local team has planned exciting activities, including a weekend trip to Santa Cruz, where you’ll visit El Chato Tortoise Reserve and the fascinating underground lava tunnels, tour the Charles Darwin Research Station, and enjoy a swim surrounded by wildlife in Tortuga Bay. You will also explore San Cristobal, learn new moves with a traditional dance lesson, and spend an afternoon snorkelling at Loberia beach.
Living on the island also provides a great opportunity to speak Spanish if you're interested in improving or picking up some language skills.
Where will I be working?
San Cristobal
You’ll be based on the main island of San Cristóbal. It forms part of the Galapagos archipelago located about 1,000km from mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean.
For the conservation part of the project, you will be based in Galapagos National Park. For the part of the project where you’ll be doing community work, your base will be the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
The Galapagos Islands are hugely popular for anyone with an interest in biology, science, and wildlife. These volcanic islands are home to a vast number of species that occur nowhere else in the world. A few examples include the Giant tortoise, marine iguanas, Galapagos fur seals, and Galapagos penguins.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements.
Management plans
We hebben onze doelen en belangen van onze projecten uitgeschreven in onze Management Plans. Op deze manier kunnen we uitgebreid plannen welk werk moet gebeuren op elk project. Het helpt ook om het werk te meten en te evalueren wat we elk jaar bereikt hebben.
Het is uiteindelijk de bedoeling dat onze Management Plans de projecten effectiever maken. Je gaat daardoor deel uitmaken van een duurzaam project dat impact heeft waar het echt nodig is. Lees meer over onze Management Plans.
Onze impact
Onze projecten zijn opgesteld voor de lange termijn, en er worden elk jaar specifieke doelen vooropgesteld. Elke vrijwilliger en stagiaire helpt met het behalen van deze doelstellingen, hoe lang ze ook helpen op onze projecten.
Elk jaar evalueren we de voortgang in het behalen van de doelstellingen. Daarom hebben we een Global Impact Report opgesteld waar we al onze verwezenlijkingen verzamelen. Kom meer te weten over de impact die onze internationale groep vrijwilligers, stagiaires en staff hebben gemaakt en lees het laatste nieuwe rapport.
Maaltijden en accommodatie
Je gaat accommodatie delen met andere Projects Abroad vrijwilligers en stagiaires in San Cristobal. Op deze manier kun je de andere vrijwilligers en stagiaires beter leren kennen, elkaars ervaringen uitwisselen, en samen de omgeving verkennen in je vrije tijd.
De accommodatie is veilig, proper en comfortabel. De kostprijs van het project is inclusief drie maaltijden per dag.
Lees meer over onze accommodatie.
Veiligheid en ondersteuning
Jouw veiligheid heeft onze hoogste prioriteit. We hebben verschillende procedures opgezet zodat jouw ervaring in het buitenland zorgeloos en veilig verloopt. Onze Projects Abroad staff is 24/7 beschikbaar, zowel door de week als tijdens het weekend, om je te ondersteunen en begeleiden. Zij zorgen ervoor dat jij je altijd veilig en comfortabel voelt. Mocht je ergens tegenaan lopen, dan zijn ze altijd beschikbaar om je te helpen.
Lees meer over veiligheid en ondersteuning.
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