Project
The foundation focuses on the following tasks:
Eradication of introduced (aggressive) plants, reforestation with native and endemic plants and community support on San Cristobal Island.
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With your commitment as a volunteer you contribute to the protection of the unique environment of Galapagos.
Work done by volunteers​​
The volunteers must be ready to collaborate in the different areas of San Cristóbal, such as:
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Eradication of introduced plants (Mora, Guava and Supirroza).
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Community work in the rural areas (sowing of fruits / vegetables, sowing of grass, sowing of endemic / native plants, etc.).
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Work in the greenhouse (collecting seeds of endemic/native plants and fruits, covering the soil in plastic bags, watering, weeding the bags and planting the seeds in the plastic bags.
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Community work (painting schools, parks, cleaning of beaches and neighbourhoods, etc.).
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Reforestation with endemic and native plants in recreational places or student parks, institutions, community or neighbourhood.
Working hours
6:45 am - Breakfast
7:30 am - On the way to work
8:00 - 10:00 am - Work
10:00 am - Break
10:30 - 12:30 am - Work
12:30 pm - End of work
1:00 pm - Lunch
2:00 - 7:00 pm - Free Time
7:00 pm - Dinner
How to work with aggressive plants
When we carry out eradication work with aggressive plants, we indicate to the volunteers how to work with these aggressive plant species and the care that should be taken, as they are shrubs that contain very aggressive barbs, which can injure and puncture any part of the body when mishandled, so it is highly recommended to use the following materials:
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Cloth or leather gloves (thin).
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Long sleeve shirt,
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Trousers
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Sharp machete
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Hand excavator.
Information about accommodation
Volunteer housing
The foundation "Voluntarios para Galapagos" is located in the viewpoint of the Hacienda Soledad, located in the La Soledad area, 5 km from the parish of El Progreso and approximately 11 km from the seafront of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Accommodation
The rooms are shared, and as such, you should be respectful of your fellow students. Each room has two bunk beds and are for 4 people per room, either male with male or female with female. Quiet hours are after 10 pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 11 pm on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
Meals
All volunteers accommodated in the project will be provided with daily meals (Monday to Sunday), including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport
As you are staying in the upper part of the island of San Cristobal "Recinto la Soledad", every time you wish to visit any site or visit the city, you must request a taxi for the transfer. It will cost 7 dollars a ride (from La Soledad) to the Malecon. This price is valid from 06:00 am to 21:00 pm. After 21:00 pm until 06:00 am, the price will be higher depending on the taxi (12 dollars to 15 dollars per trip to the hacienda).
​What is included?
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Airport pick-up on the day of arrival.
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Work with a volunteer coordinator from Monday to Friday.
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Accommodation in a shared room
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Meals (three meals a day, seven days a week)
What is not included?
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Flight ticket
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Travel insurance
