From abi@maqui.ecx.ec Thu Aug 1 09:17:16 1996 Received: from mx3.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.06/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA19846; Thu, 1 Aug 96 09:17:11 -0700 Received: from cdp.igc.apc.org by mx3.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.06/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA02026; Thu, 1 Aug 96 09:17:00 -0700 Received: (from uucp) by cdp.igc.apc.org (8.6.13/Revision: 1.222 ) id JAA12894 for consbio@u.washington.edu; Thu, 1 Aug 1996 09:16:57 -0700 Received: by ecuanex.ec (/\=-/\ Smail3.1.18.1 #18.10) id ; Thu, 1 Aug 96 09:22 EST Message-Id: Received: from abi@maqui by maqui.ecx.ec (PMail+UDG PegWaf v0.31 93.10.18) id 6445 for consbio@u.washington.edu; Wed, 31 Jul 1996 16:14:43 GMT-0500 From: abi@maqui.ecx.ec To: news@ecologic.org, consbio@u.washington.edu, conslink@sivm.si.edu Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 16:14:39 Subject: Volunteer Opportunities in Ecuador cloud forest reserve Cc: nat-edu@tamvm1.tamu.edu, forest@listserv.funet.fi X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v3.1 (R1a) ECUADOR'S MAQUIPUCUNA RESERVE IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS Fundacion Maquipucuna, an Ecuadorian non-governmental organization concerned with conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources, is looking for paying volunteers to spend one to three months working in the Maquipucuna Reserve this fall. Assistance is needed with: reforestation, organic gardening, trail building, teaching English to Reserve staff, and environmental education. Consider the opportunity to live in a beautiful tropical forest, experience life and culture in rural Ecuador, practice your Spanish, and give a hand in protecting biodiversity in a highly endangered tropical habitat. The Maquipucuna Reserve is 4500 hectares, 80% of which is undisturbed cloud forest, ranging from 1200 meters to 2800 meters in altitude. It is surrounded by an additional 14,000 hectares of "protected forest," which is adjacent to one of the world's top ten biodiversity "hotspots," the Choco Bioregion. Like many cloud forests, it is extremely rich in epiphytes, many of which have not been identified. 1200 plants species have been identified to date, but it is believed that the total number may be close to 2000. In addition, the Reserve contains at least 320 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, and more than 150 species of butterflies. Other groups are yet to be studied in detail. Finally, Maquipucuna offers archaeological resources to those interested. Ceramics, burial sites and buried pathways of Pre-Incan Indians are scattered throughout the region. The Reserve has complete accommodations and facilities for ecotourists, scientists and volunteers. These include an easily- accessed tourist lodge, situated on a clean, free-flowing river, and housing 18 people. In addition, there is a separate scientific research station for scientists and volunteers. Meals are served to all and are based on local recipes. A network of trails allows visitors to easily access a variety of natural habitats in different stages of succession. Rivers and waterfalls make for great swimming. Finally, interpretive materials are being developed, and additional information may be found in the small Reserve library or the more extensive one at the Fundacion's office in Quito. Maquipucuna is only 2 hours from Quito and accessible by car or public bus. Because of its proximity to the capital city, it makes an easy jumping off point for trips to the sandy beaches of the Ecuadorian coast, the Andean highlands (Avenue of the Volcanos) and, a little further away, the Amazon basin. Volunteers will want to make the most of their experience by travelling in this extremely diverse (biologically as well as culturally) country. Fundacion Maquipucuna would be happy to provide recommendations for travel and further siteseeing opportunities. To cover costs of food and lodging, volunteers are asked to pay $12- 15 per day (depending on the length of stay). In addition, it is suggested that they have at least a basic knowledge of Spanish. Private tutoring is readily available in Quito, if needed. For more information, please contact: Abigail Rome Fundacion Maquipucuna Tel: (593-2) 507-200/202 Baquerizo #238 y Tamayo Fax: (593-2) 507-201 Casilla 17-12-167 E-mail: abi@maqui.ecx.ec Quito, Ecuador Abigail Rome Fundacion Maquipucuna Baquerizo #238 y Tamayo Casilla 17-12-167 Quito, Ecuador Tel: (593-2) 507-200 / 507-202 Fax: (593-2) 507-201 .