Biological Research Centre in the Coastal Rainforest of Argentina

  Argentina

• All Other Regions of Argentina: 
Puerto Iguazu

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

Description: We believe that there is a World-level need to preserve Nature while using it to generate economic resources.

The ecotourism-based activity is one of our economic keystones; yet, our sustainable use project encompasses other areas. Thanks to the recent building of the Yacutinga Biological Station and to the counseling on environmental matters by friends and institutions, we are starting several programs based on the sustainable use of our Natural Reserve area.

The potential of the natural systems to be transformed and destroyed is confirmed at an unprecedented scale in our country. Indeed, technological development leads to environmental changes throughout large areas in a short period of time. The level of destruction and the transformation capacity is only comparable with the lack of knowledge of the working mechanisms of the ecosystems affected, which is basic information when conservation strategies are to be implemented.

Therefore, research development is a priority of the different groups present in the areas affected, with the aim to collect valuable information to understand how ecosystems work, make predictions and make decisions for the future. Thus we will be able to establish a conservationist and sustainable development perspective of human activities in these fragile landscapes.

These facts and contexts are the basis for the creation and implementation of our biological station (E-Bio), which is run by our lodge.

Our Station intends to be the setting to develop research projects in situ of the most diverse biological subjects; it materializes the leading concept of Yacutinga Natural Reserve: conservation of Misiones Paranaense Forest.

This project is part of Ecoteer - the solution to travel and volunteering on a shoestring.

Ecoteer is a unique volunteer opportunities agency - offering a directory of cheap volunteer work opportunities, volunteer jobs abroad and working holidays. Our volunteer opportunities are cheap because we have eliminated the middleman slashing the price to volunteer abroad for gapyears, careerbreaks and working holidays. Ecoteer is leading the way in a new type of volunteer work opportunities abroad and is changing the volunteer and working holiday industry back to what it used to be benefiting both the volunteer and the volunteer project.

We have other opportunities in ecotourism, conservation, humanitarian aid and teaching in other 50 countries.

To volunteer with Ecoteer you need to become an Ecoteer volunteer member which costs only £20 per year.

Highlights: Volunteer Work Program at the Biological Station
This program aims to benefit both the volunteer and the activities that are conducted at Yacutinga Biological Station. Indeed, participation in the different projects is encouraged, which entails the participant's learning and his/her working contribution required in the project.

The Reserve will provide with accommodation, local insurance and logistics within its boundaries; the candidate will be advised beforehand of the material that he/she will have to bring.

Volunteer Program

- Volunteer programs can be themed, when candidates express their will to participate in one of the ongoing projects; or free, when the volunteer's activities will vary depending on his/her skills and knowledge and the needs of the Reserve.

- Selection of candidates will be based on the evaluation of is/her curriculum vitae and the personal Volunteer Work Form which we will send to you when you write to us.

- In the case of themed volunteer programs, the volunteer will be integrated to the set of activities of the project selected, and he/she will carry out a working plan for a pre-established period of time, according to his/her possibilities and knowledge.

In the case of free volunteer programs, the volunteer will not be given a previous working plan because he/she may be incorporated to any activity that the Reserve Manager determines.

- The volunteer program implies the acquisition of knowledge and training necessary to develop his/her activities.

- At the end of the volunteer work, the volunteer will be given a certificate of the knowledge and techniques acquired and/or the activities carried out by the volunteer, as well as the evaluation results.

- Volunteer work will last a pre-established period of time.

Volunteers

The Management of the Biological Station reserves the right of admission and permanence of the volunteer, as well as of the modification of his/her activity program.

Our lodge and its Wildlife & Nature Reserve is fully committed to responsible volunteer/research work and sustainable tourism. Therefore, the code of conduct is designed to help you to assist us in our environmental projects with the aim of preserving our subtropical rainforest. It is also intended to make your stay well organized and safe. At the same time, it ensures that the organization and people we work with are treated with respect and that consideration is given to other cultural aspects during your stay.

Please note that breaches of the code of conduct may result in your stay being terminated without compensation.

Qualifications: None

Cost in US$: Free

Experience Required: no

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

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Ecoteer's Mission Statement: To help locally run grass root organisations to achieve their aims via attracting paying volunteers and tourists. Plus we personally help develop and improve the projects we work with to help them to achieve their objectives.

Year Founded: 2005