The Bospas Fruit Forest Farm

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Ibarra

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: The 15 hectares of Bospas Fruit Forest Farm, formerly a barren, abandoned piece of land, has been turned into an island of vibrant green. Bospas is a good place to learn about the amazing biodiversity of this country and to discover the many tropical fruits that grow here. We practice sustainable, organic farming and strive to diversify our crops using agroforestry and permaculture techniques.

The owners of Bospas, Piet Sabbe and Olda Gabriela Peralta, are members of a farmer organization and are strongly involved with the local community. Together they set up a conservation programme fro the Ri­o Guallupe watershed.

Bospas needs hands to build trails, in order to guide tourists through the valley and the farm. Planting fruit and crops is also an on-going activity. The botanist can help us understand the way nature recovers after the fires, what the pioneer plants are and how we can speed up the process of regeneration.

We encourage a commitment of 4 weeks for trail builders and general farm assistants, 6 months for the botanist.
During the week-ends trips are organized to the lowland rainforests and the Mangrove swamps on the coast. Bospas is at 1000 m as in a subtropical area. The area is malaria free. A swimming pool is available.

Highlights: Bospas is promoting the use of an efficient and low cost method for erosion control and soil conservation with Vetiver Grass. We offer interns an excellent opportunity for exposure at community level (Spanish language!!), while helping us distributing this technique in projects.

Qualifications: The intern should be able to express him/herself in Spanish. In case the intern wants to improve or refresh his/her Spanish, a short Spanish course in Ecuador is recommended. We prefer an intern with the following profile:

- Trail Builder: The intern should be in good physical condition, able to work independently and have a personal interest in the work.
- Botany researcher: Have experience in field work (taxonomy), be able to work independently and be able to write a well structured report.
- General farm assistance: be a hard worker in good physical condition and able to work both independently and in team.

Cost in US$: Varies. Please contact us for more information.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 20 and above

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Year Founded: 1999