Volunteer in the Ecocity

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Bahia de Caraquez

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Information on Planet Drum Foundation and volunteer opportunities in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador.

Planet Drum was founded in 1973 by Peter Berg, to provide an effective grassroots approach to ecology that emphasizes sustainability, community self-determination and regional self-reliance. In association with community activists and ecologists, Planet Drum developed the concept of a bioregion: a distinct area with coherent and interconnected plant and animal communities, and natural systems, often defined by a watershed. A bioregion is a whole 'life-place' with unique requirements for human inhabitation so that it will not be disturbed and injured. Through its projects, publications, speakers, and workshops, Planet Drum helps start new bioregional groups and encourages local organizations and individuals to find ways to live within the natural confines of bioregions.

       'Bioregion a geographic terrain and a terrain of consciousness' ' Peter Berg

Local people and government invited Planet Drum (PD); a non-profit, non-governmental foundation to Ecuador after a series of natural disasters left the city of Bahia de Caraquez in a terrible state. Following mudslides and natural disasters Bahia declared itself an eco-ciudad (eco-city), incorporating environmental policies into their by-laws. PD was recruited as ecological consultants.   
We put emphasis on fieldwork, research, and education. We integrate our projects with other non-profits, schools, local universities, local government, and the members of the community to carry out the environmental principles set by the city and to meet our objectives.

Volunteer work is not monotonous. The tasks change continuously and are mainly dependent upon the skills and initiative of the volunteer. We take into consideration what each volunteer desire to accomplish while they are with us, and match this with the tasks at hand. We ask volunteers to contribute at least 20 hours a week. Current possible tasks are listed below. To get a visual idea of our work please visit our photo gallery.

Revegetation:
De-forested hillsides collapsed killing 17 people and destroyed the better part of some neighborhoods. The landslides left many homeless. This happened during El Niño of 1998. We hope to prevent another tragedy like the one in 1998 by stabilizing the hillsides with the roots of native trees, shrubs and grasses. We only utilize species native to the coastal dry-tropical forest. In the process, we also create a wildlife corridor. We are planting revegetation sites and maintaining a greenhouse where native plants are cultivated. Greenhouse duties include: planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, mixing soil, watering, maintaining on-site compost facility, and collaboration with university students and faculty. Tasks associated with re-vegetation sites include: fencing, clearing trails, watering, planting, (i.e. you need to be able to swing a machete and dig a hole!) Volunteers generally spend most of their time working in the field.

Environmental Education:
Planet Drum has led field trips to our field sites with local school children. We have also taught bioregional workshops within the local community and at the Planet Drum house. Volunteers help with these trips and classes, as needed. We are currently in the process of developing a yearlong Bioregional Education curriculum, which will begin in 2005.

Research:
Planet Drum is currently implementing a local seed bank project. Volunteer participation in this project includes, Internet research of local, native species, interviewing community members and local ecologist, translating information and such. We are continuously fund raising and doing research for future projects in Bahia de Caraquez including: renewable energy projects, waste water systems, etc.

Administrative:
Volunteers are occasionally asked to take part in administrative tasks to help support Planet Drum staff.

Living arrangements:
The PD apartment-office is located within the Rio Chone Bioregion. We have a 3-bedroom apartment centrally located in the town center with close proximity to the beach and the foothills of the coastal mountain range. The apartment has a communal kitchen, 2 bathrooms, office space, and a living area.   There is no phone or Internet, but both are available within 2 blocks of the house. Bedrooms are often shared. Volunteers are expected to take part in regular house cleanings and maintenance, participation in communal meals, food shopping and other domestic tasks.   

Costs:
There is no fee to volunteer for Planet Drum and the community in which we serve. Volunteers receive accommodation in exchange for their work. Volunteers are responsible for their personal and communal expenses. Communal expenses include home-cooked food (use of the kitchen is encouraged and we eat communal meals), water, and toiletries. Volunteers contribute $10 to $15 a week to a kitty jar in which communal expenses are taking from. Transportation fees to and from worksites are not provided by PD and are considered a personal expense for each volunteer (we hitch-hike and use the public bus system which costs 18 cents each trip, costs are minimal).

Applying:
Potential volunteers should e-mail the Field Projects Manager, Clay Plager-Unger,with the following information: relative life experience, educational background (formal and informal), and goals and reasons for wanting to volunteer. All applicants should hold an interest in environmentalism. Potential volunteers must be able to do manual labor in hot climates and offer solutions when presented with obstacles. All applicants should have a desire to live communally with fellow volunteers and staff, seek fun and adventure, and retain an open-mind. The most qualified applicant is a Jack or Jill of all trades that takes on responsibility and initiative quickly. We welcome persons of every ethnic group, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

Immunizations:
Potential volunteers should see about getting all necessary immunizations before arriving. Check with the Center for Disease Control.   Malaria pills are also recommended

Location:
Our address is Montufar 915 and Ascazubi. Any guidebook with a map of the town will show this intersection near the market.   Asking around will always work, even with minimal Spanish.

Highlights:
* $15 a month for house utilities.
* Twenty hours per week.
* Close to the beach and the mountains.
* Communal living.
* Flexible work week.
* Supportive staff.

Qualifications: All applicants should hold an interest in environmentalism. Potential volunteers must be able to do manual labor in hot climates and offer solutions when presented with obstacles. All applicants should have a desire to live communally with fellow volunteers and staff, seek fun and adventure, and retain an open-mind. The most qualified applicant is a Jack or Jill of all trades that takes on responsibility and initiative quickly.

Cost in US$: 0

Experience Required: yes

Typical Volunteer: Typical volunteers are students or travelers from North America or Europe. Most volunteers are between the ages of twenty and thirty.

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2 to 5

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Resume

Planet Drum Ecuador's Mission Statement: Planet Drum's Vision: What approach can we take to move beyond environmental protests and actually begin living sustainably wherever we are located? Planet Drum was founded in 1973 to provide an effective grassroots approach to ecology that emphasizes sustainability, community self-determination and regional self-reliance. In association with community activists and ecologists, Planet Drum developed the concept of a bioregion: a distinct area with coherent and interconnected plant and animal communities, and natural systems, often defined by a watershed. A bioregion is a whole "life-place" with unique requirements for human inhabitation so that it will not be disrupted and injured. Through its projects, publications, speakers, and workshops, Planet Drum helps start new bioregional groups and encourages local organizations and individuals to find ways to live within the natural confines of bioregions.

Year Founded: 1973