Volunteer in Galapagos

Volunteer in the Galapagos Islands with Galapagos Organic Rescue!  Opportunities will be available in the future for conservation volunteers to help protect the unique and fragile Galapagos ecosystem, which is currently under threat from invasive introduced plant species.  Volunteering here is a chance to help restore native vegetation through this organic conservation and sustainable development project.

Galapagos Organic Rescue volunteers will help eradicate some of the troublesome introduced plant species, such as black raspberry and guava, which are currently "crowding out" endemic native species on privately-owned land in the Galapagos Islands.  It's important to deal with the problem on private land (3% of the islands' area) in order to prevent "recontamination" of the National Park.  Truly sustainable development requires social and economic sustainability, as well as the environmental aspect, so volunteers will help plant organic, non-invasive crops, to ensure that the farmers have a sustainable way to make a living and not need to resort to illegal fishing or other damaging activities.

Volunteers will remove raspberry bushes and guava trees, and plant native species and non-invasive organic crops on the cleared land.  Organic agriculture of carefully selected crops will help prevent the invasive species from returning, and ensure that the farmers have an economic incentive to keep the land free from invasive species in the future.  One suitable crop for organic agriculture is sugar cane, which can be used to make an environmentally friendly fuel and reduce the need for the Galapagos Islands to bring in polluting fossil fuels, with the risk of spills contaminating the marine ecosystem. 

Reforestation is a key part of the plan, so volunteers will plant native species around small plots of crops, so that wildlife can thrive on and travel across the organic farms.  As a volunteer here, you might be planting seeds, watering or transplanting tree seedlings or even collecting seeds.

Other aspects of volunteering here in the Galapagos Islands, depending on the skills and language abilities of volunteers, might include: working with children, families or other groups to make compost and encourage organic agriculture; processing organic sugarcane into alcohol for use as a clean, green fuel; promoting the concept of environmentally-friendly fuel; or developing marketing strategies for the organic, fair trade products produced as a result of Galapagos Organic Rescue.

The volunteer menu includes lots of fresh produce from the farm, so you will probably help with tending the organic vegetable garden.  Volunteers also assist with collecting eggs, milking cows, making organic cheese, picking fruit and making fresh fruit juices and jams to enjoy.  You may be surprised to learn that most Galapagos cruise ships bring in nearly all their food from the mainland, so this is a rare chance to enjoy fresh, organic, locally-produced cuisine in the islands.

Volunteering here is a great way to see the Galapagos Islands and ensure that your visit has a positive impact on this very special part of the world.  Details of how to apply will be published here once volunteer opportunities are available.  Please do not email asking for information.  Volunteer placements are unlikely to be available before 2013.

The Ecuador Travel Site offers an idea of when to visit the Galapagos Islands, along with other volunteering and travel tips for Ecuador.