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Updated on: 24/Mar/09

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESCRIPTION SAN CRISTOBAL BIOLOGICAL STATION

ECUADOR BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Galapagos Islands sit in the Pacific Ocean about 1000 km west of Ecuador. Because the islands were never connected to the mainland, many species of plants and animals are unique to the Galapagos. In 1835, the young naturalist Charles Darwin, arrived to the islands. His collections from the Galapagos became central to his theory of how species evolve. The highland forests of the populated Islands in the Galapagos chain have been greatly altered due to the introduction of exotic and invasive species of animals and plants. Highland conservation, development and poverty issues have been almost completely neglected by conservation, development and government agencies. As a result of the lack of fruit and vegetable production on the Galapagos Islands, boats from the Ecuadorian mainland unload fruits and vegetables to hotels, restaurants, and markets on a daily basis. Quarantine regulations are consistently ignored and at least two exotic and/or invasive plant or faunal species enter the islands each day. The Biological Station has worked to develop reforestation, habitat reconstruction, and agro forestry activities utilizing native species for the last 18 years throughout Ecuador. Volunteers will work on both the habitat restoration and agricultural components while at the reserve. In addition foundation staff will lead volunteers on various destination hikes to a nearby lagoon, native forests, beaches, and local villages to explain the ecological and human dynamic of Galapagos. Opportunities to work on group research and monitoring projects are available. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS During your free time and for an extra cost you can enjoy the following activities: *On San Cristobal you may be lucky enough to see the red-footed booby - the least seen of the bunch. It's also the home of the Chatham mockingbird, only found here on the island. *Take time to visit Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to get to know the people.

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*If you want to see where the Frigates nest, go past the Centro de Interpretacion, northeast into Scrub forest. It's a great 35-minute walk to the cliff areas of Cerro Tijeretas, and you don't need a guide. *There's a good surfing spot at Playa Punta Carola. the waves may be too big and daunting for swimmers, and so we recommend Playa Mann (through Avenida Northia) or Playa de Oro. *Take a 20-minute walk south of town to La Loberia. Here you'll enjoy the sea lions, marine iguanas, bird watching, and even tortoises. A DAY AT THE PROGRAM

HOURS ACTIVITIES 6AM-7AM Breakfast at the main dining room

7:30AM-8AM Daily planning 8AM-12PM Work at the different projects assigned 12PM-1PM Lunch at the main dining room 1PM-2PM Free time to rest 2PM-5PM Work on the different projects assigned 5PM-6PM Time to rest, change, relax. 6PM-7PM Dinner at the main dining room 7PM-on Free time

*This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change. PROGRAM FOCUS LOCATION (Province and Town) Animal Rescue Center ______________ ______________ Social ______________ ______________ Adventure ______________ ______________ Environmental Conservation San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Construction/Building ______________ ______________ Sports ______________ ______________ PROJECT/ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION DESCRIPTION Organization SAN CRISTOBAL BIOLOGICAL STATION Location of the Organization San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Non-profit/private/public organization Private Number of employees 13-16 approximately. 1. DESCRIBE THE POPULATION/COMMUNITY THAT THE INSTITUTION PROVIDES ITS

SERVICES TO. IN CASE OF RESCUE CENTERS OR ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE THE TYPE OF ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT IT WORKS WITH.

The Biological Station has worked to develop reforestation, habitat reconstruction, and agro forestry activities utilizing native species for the last 18 years throughout Ecuador.

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2. SERVICES THAT THE ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION PROVIDES (DESCRIPTION) Consistent with past work, one of the objectives of this station is to develop the technology to reconstruct native habitat in the highlands on San Cristobal, and to serve as a center for similar projects in the highlands on other populated islands in the Galapagos chain. The remaining native highland forests on the populated islands is quite limited due to farming activities in general, and the introduction of useful, but very invasive species from the mainland such as tropical cedar and Cinchona. The station has established a Plant Conservation Center for the production of native plant species for this work. Regarding the habitat restoration aspect, the reserve is dedicated to eradicate invasive species of plants, especially a type of invasive raspberry, in order to plant native trees and vegetation. The reserve is currently implementing a biological corridor going from 150 m.a.s.l. to 550 m.a.s.l. to demonstrate the different native vegetation at different gradients of the island. In addition, the foundation works collaboratively with local landowners to develop clean agricultural alternatives for the production of vegetables and fruits to sell to local universities, restaurants, and hotels. VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 3. How many volunteers can the Project employ monthly? The Biological Station can accommodate 35 volunteers at a time. 4. Has the organization received volunteers in the past? Yes. 5. If it has received volunteers in the past, please write since what month and year: The station has received volunteers since the early years of their opening. Their experience working with volunteers as well as its volunteer programs is extensive. 6. Are there any special features to which the volunteers have to pay attention to when

working at this project? (Religion, illnesses, extra-vaccination, etc) There is only a list of recommended equipment: · Sleeping Bag · Mosquito bed net · Towels · Walking boots · Rubber / Wellington boots – these are essential. You can bring them with you or buy them in Quito for less than US$10. · Sandals/comfortable shoes · Flip flops / rubber sandals (which can get wet) · Raincoat / rain hat (essential – you will get wet!) · Long sleeve trousers and shirts to offer the best form of protection in the evenings. · Face net (to keep mosquitoes off) · ‘Work clothes’ · Sun Hat · Sun Glasses · Sunscrean

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· Swimming suit 7. Are there any requirements to attend this program? University study is not a prerequisite to be accepted into the Program. Prospective volunteers should have interest in conservation. 8. The project receives volunteers all year round? Yes. The station doesn’t close for holidays. 9. Please specify holidays or other dates when the project closes and can not receive

volunteers: None. 10. Is there a minimum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? 2 weeks minimum. 11. Is there a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? No, there is no maximum. 12. Please give detailed description of tasks and duties of the volunteer: Volunteers will work at the following activities: - Reforestation with native and endemic species in the reserve and in local farms (collecting seeds, classifying seeds, nursery work, planting within the reserve or nearby reserve, help maintain reforestation lines, etc.) -Environmental education with local people and schools. -Station maintenance (trail maintenance, sign elaboration for trails, basic construction activities, help clean fresh water supply, help in kitchen, etc.) -Organic agricultural activities and vegetable production (help maintain and secure food production for the station). -Guided hike throughout reserve and/or nearby related areas (learn about biodiversity themes, natural history, & ecology). There are also mini-projects where volunteers can participate, but because of the amount of work that is needed at the station with the above mentioned projects, volunteers cannot dedicate entire days to the mini-projects: -Petrels observation: nests finding, clearing around the nests to facilitate the mother’s entrance, birds behaviour. -Fenology studies and flora inventories: observation and classification of native, endemic and invasive species. -Birds observation at the reserve to determine if they are native, endemic or invasive. -Germination Project: Determine the most effective method for germination in vegetable production and other species. -Coffee production to see the possibility of exportation coffee.

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13. Indicate the times and days the volunteer will be working in the week: Monday to Friday. The day starts at 6am with breakfast and ends at 7pm when dinner is over. LOCATION OF THE PROJECT 14. PLEASE INDICATE THE CLOSEST CITY OR TOWN TO THE PROJECT. The Capital of the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is located in San Cristobal. This island is one of the 5 inhabited islands of the Galapagos archipelago that for decades has been dedicated to agriculture, mainly producing sugar cane and coffee. About 5,400 people live here, and many work for the government or in fisheries. 15. INDICATE WHAT TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION THERE IS FROM THE CENTER OF

THIS CITY TO THE PROJECT, ITS COSTS AND APPROXIMATELY TIME THAT WILL TAKE:

TYPE COST TIME IT WILL TAKE Truck (Station-Pto. Baquerizo Moreno) $15 45 Min. APPROX. 16. DESCRIBE THE SORROUNDINGS OF THE PROJECT (country side, urban, town) The Biological Station is located in the highlands of San Cristobal island, 45 minutes by truck from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on a 200 hectares site, where there is still native vegetation. The native vegetation consists of Miconias, ferns and other native herbacious species. The reserve is mainly an organic agricultural and habitat restoration project. ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS 17. Type of Accommodation? The station is composed of two houses with a mix construction (native bamboo and cement) containing 11 rooms each and resting areas. Separated from the houses you have the dining and the kitchen. The accommodations are rustic, with room for groups of up to 45 people. Researchers can obtain needed permits with assistance from the foundation. The reserve has electricity, but there is no Internet or telephone access. 18. Are meals included? Yes, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. WHAT IS INCLUDED? • Accommodation throughout your program at the Biological Station • 3 meals a day • Airport transfer on arrival to Quito • Transfer back to the airport at the end of the program • Orientation upon arrival • Full on-site support and assistance • On-site 24 hour emergency contact number

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WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED? • All flights • Personal travel insurance • All items of personal nature • Any excursions over and about your planned itinerary • Alcoholic beverages/extra snacks PICTURES OF THE PROJECT

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