Cloudforest Refuge
Focus: Agroforestry, Community, Conservation, Education and Permaculture.
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Project Description
A cloudforest conservation project at Mindo-Ecuador. Part of IBA Important Bird Area which holds 450 species of birds; 5% of all bird species in the world. Volunteers welcome to the permaculture, bioconstruction and conservation program at the Refuge.
Mindo Sacha Urcu is a premontane forest in Ecuador from 1200 to 1300 m of altitude. It protects about 325 acres, of which 247 acres are well conserved native forest. Our refuge is part of the forests of the Rio Blanco watershed, an area close to the Protected Forest Mindo Nambillo.
Its lower elevation compared to Mindo Nambillo, gives special qualities such as a transition between lowland and montane forest. At the same time our refuge provides shelter for wildlife populations of importance in biological conservation as endemic species of birds and plants.
We work to ensure sustainability of human needs under Permaculture basis, increasing biodiversity and productivity in our land. We reduce pressure to wild land following efficient design strategies to achieve appropriate ways of management of land for present and future generations. We do believe that the management of this Refuge can contribute with valuable experiences for local and regional initiatives.
Volunteer Information
Costs & Benefits
Requirements
Contact information
Project Summary
You can make a difference in the conservation of the cloud forest of Mindo taking part in our volunteer programs. We offer accommodation in natural cabins, healthy food with our organic garden crops. Welcome nature lovers, organic farmers, biologists, ecologists, photographers to be part of our efforts to keep the wildlife alive.
Volunteering at our refuge gives you the opportunity to meet a well conserved cloudforest in Mindo. You will find out its biodiversity easily. It is possible to see wild mammals as pecaris, and armadillo, coatis and many special birds such as Cock of the rock, torrent duck, Choco toucan, mot mot. Also you will share with different people and learn new traditions and ways of living. While you develop new skills and gain field experience, you support our efforts to preserve cloud forest and make it a successful project of which community can get inspired to do their own projects.
Most of the time Mindo has a warm weather (59 – 75.2 F) and humid. During the summer time (May to Nov) days are shiny and warmer. Landscape is delightful, you can see mountains of cloud forests, clear rivers, thousands of white gaviotas flying along the river to their sleeping trees, a diversity of birds including humming birds, toucans, parrots, etc. During winter time (December to April) it rains a lot, it becomes cloudy and very wet. It is perfect time to do birdwatching in the early mornings. There is water everywhere, everything is greener and alive!
We wake up early in the morning to get our kids ready to school. Volunteers organize on their own to prepare their breakfast with the food we provide so they can start the work at 7:00 o clock in the farm.
We have an Activities Plan that is followed in a alter way by the volunteers.
There is a recess at 10 am for a snack.
They continue working according to the Activities Plan.
Lunch is offered at 12:00 pm.
JOURNEY: 5 hours a day
Normally volunteers works on a variety of activities depending on what is being done at the Refuge:
1. Bio construction Projects
2. Permaculture Design
3. Conservation Activities
4. Reforestation: Ecological Restoration & Agroforestry Management
5. Alternative Education Support
6. Local Cuisine
There is no public transportation from town to the refuge, but you can take advantage of our daily departures to town. After lunch at 12:30 pm you could decide to go out for a while in our departure to take our kids back from school, to come back you can choose to take a taxi pick up or walk (1 hour along a beautiful road) to the Refuge.
Your contributions support our project to be able to success. It can vary according to length of stay and conditions from USD 100 to USD 120 USD a week . It includes 3 meals a day and lodge, some recreation activities inside the Refuge such as trails, horse riding, birdwatching, transportation to nearest town at programmed schedule. You can pay your contributions through:
– Pay Pal. Donations to Mindo Sachaurco
– Western Union to Silvia Marisol Acosta Rea. Ecuador
– Cash at the Refuge
Nature lovers, agricultures, photographers, filmmakers, ecologist welcome, volunteers aged 18 years old and over.
Clouforest Refuge & Permaculture Farm. Mindo SachaUrco. Ecuador
Calle Gonzales Suarez Oe5-197 y Joaquin Castro. Tumbaco. Pichincha. Quito-Ecuador
Tel: 534 991831685
Email: info@mindosachaurco.org or sol.acosta@gmail.com
Website: www.mindosachaurco.org
Location: Quito-Ecuador
Average cost per day:$20
Focus: Agroforestry, Community, Conservation, Education and Permaculture.
Skills needed: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
