Skip to content

Volunteer Opportunities in Peruvian Amazon

by Sara Gomez Garcia on June 9, 2014

About our Volunteer Program:
Our 3 Peruvian field stations offer a wide range of volunteer
opportunities that make it possible for almost any individual to make
a positive contribution to conservation. With three broad project
categories to choose from, flexible work schedules, and tasks tailored
to volunteers of all levels of skill and experience, we trust that you
will find an opportunity that’s right for you.

Volunteer opportunities at our Peruvian field stations are available
in the following main areas: biological monitoring and research,
sustainable agriculture, and community outreach and education. In
order to maximize the value and impact of the volunteer experience, we
currently require a minimum month commitment in order to participate.

Volunteers at all 3 stations pay $35/day (covers food + lodging) for
any stay lasting between 1 and 2 months, or $30/day for stays lasting
2 months or longer. Volunteers are required to work 6 hour days at
least 5 days a week and must be:

-Over 18 years of age
-In good physical condition
-Able to commit to at least one month on site
-Able to speak basic Spanish
-Experienced in foreign travel

Biological monitoring volunteer:
The Biological Monitoring and Research volunteer opportunity
encompasses a wide variety of projects designed to support the
station’s Science Program. Volunteers in this area will carry a full
schedule (~30 hours/week) consisting of one or more of the following
activities:

-Monitoring and inventorying of biodiversity (mammals, birds,
reptiles, amphibians, etc.), especially in response to climate change
and other human impacts

-Forest composition and phenology surveys

-Research into species’ functions, distributions, and population dynamics

-Research into habitat health and restoration

-Collection and preservation of biological specimens

-Recording geographic data using GPS technology

-Development of educational materials and interpretive guides

-Collection of climatological and water quality data

-Research into natural forest nutrient cycles (especially carbon and
soil nutrients) and the factors that drive them

-Research into native wildlife conservation and management

-Data entry and database management

Sustainable agriculture volunteer:
The Sustainable Agriculture and Technologies volunteer opportunity
encompasses a wide variety of projects designed to make the station
more sustainable. Volunteers in this area will carry a full schedule
(~30 hours/week) consisting of one or more of the following
activities:

-Habitat restoration

-Gardening and landscaping

-Replanting of wild fruiting, medicinal, and ornamental plants

-Development of interpretive materials for station visitors

-Research about and attraction of native pollinators (could include beekeeping)

-Ethnobotanical research and experimentation (medicinal plants)

-Waste management and composting

-Design, testing, and implementation of sustainable and low-impact technologies
and practices for rural communities

-Carpentry and general station repair and maintenance

Community outreach volunteer:
The Community Outreach and Education volunteer opportunity encompasses
a wide variety of projects designed to support the station’s Science
Program. Volunteers in this area will carry a full schedule (~30
hours/week) consisting of one or more of the following activities:

-Development, maintenance, and updating of station’s educational and
interpretive resources (scientific curriculum, libraries, interpretive
trails and center, field guides, etc.)

-Assisting with environmental education activities and training
workshops for local community members and schoolchildren

-Teaching English to Peruvian staff

-Providing an orientation for visiting students, researchers, and volunteers

-Research and support for local sustainable livelihood, land use, and
human-environment interaction projects

Independent project:
Volunteers committing 3 months or more to our volunteer program are
invited to propose their own independent project for implementation.
Requirements for these projects are as follows:

-The project must fall within the scope of at least one of the three
main project areas (biological research, sustainable agriculture, or
community outreach and education)

-The project must be viable and completed within the term of
volunteer’s term at the station

-The project must be cost effective (funds for tools or equipment may
be provided by ACCA if they are required or useful items for the
station and visiting researchers)

-No wildlife (including insects) may be collected without necessary permits

-The project must be approved by the station’s Volunteer Coordinator

-The volunteer must produce a final report summarizing the results or
outcomes of their project (these results may be published on the ACA
or ACCA webpages)

Resident artist:
The successful candidate will create artwork—paintings, photographs,
writing, drawings, or other art—that helps document and publicize work
at the ACCA research stations. Learn about and see the work of past
resident artists »

Contact info:
For more information about this opportunity, please write to Patrick
Campbell at volunteer@amazonconservation.org. Please specify in the
subject line both the description (e.g., biological monitoring,
sustainable agriculture, etc.) and location (e.g., Los Amigos,
Wayqecha, Villa Carmen) of the program you wish to apply to.

Comments are closed.