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Eco Decision

Why choose Eco Decision?

EcoDecision Peru is a non-profit organization located near Puerto Maldonado in the Southeastern Amazon of Peru. This unique place is one of the most biodiverse regions in the Amazon Rainforest and has a rich cultural and natural wealth. We are located in a strategic location for conservation efforts due to its proximity to the Tambopata National Reserve, The Bahuaja-Sonene Nacional Park as well as Puerto Maldonado itself. Due to increasing economic development in the Puerto Maldonado region such as gold mining, timber extraction and unsustainable agriculture, the region is at risk of losing forest at an alarming rate. Help us conserve the Amazon Rainforest, learn about a different culture and explore one of the most biodiverse areas of the world by joining one of our volunteer opportunities.

Reviews

Default avatar
Claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing time - definitely doing it again

It was amazing! I was there for 3 weeks and was able to see all types of animals - a puma and jaguar included! We were very lucky! You would probably want to stay a minimum of 2 weeks to feel that you've experienced it properly. The first week you need just to adjust to the climate and way of life as it us so different. There was no pressure to do anything you didnt want to, and Adriana (the director) and Magno were always there - it was more like we were just friends exploring the jungle together. I'll definitely go back one day!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
1. Definitely seeing the puma - we were just walking along not specifically looking out for animals this time, and saw it 7 meters from us. It was so quick. It ran off into the bushes carrying something it was eating. I think it was eating an agote.
Default avatar
Nicolas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

La mejor experiencia vivida!

Translation by the Go Overseas Team

We started our adventure with my friend .. From the first contact with Adriana and the Staff we felt that human warmth so necessary to feel comfortable, like being at home ..
If you are a nature lover, this project is definitely for you! The sensations that we feel when we are walking through the Amazon are incomparable, the different diurnal and nocturnal sounds, the sightings, the traces of felines as well as the Jaguar, every meter the jungle awaited us with a different surprise!
We also had the beautiful experience of harvesting cocoa, and then participate in the preparation of chocolate, pure, natural and delicious!
Magno, the person in charge of the place, impossible to avoid naming him, a `so good and healthy person, he has taught us so much, we will thank him forever ..
A trip where very nice friendships are generated with people from other countries, and there are moments that will never be forgotten!
Thank you very much EcoDecision for making us live an unforgettable experience!

Original Review
Comenzamos nuestra aventura junto a mi amiga.. Desde el primer contacto con Adriana y el Staff sentimos esa calidez humana tan necesaria para sentirse cómodos, como estar en casa..
Si sos amante de la naturaleza, definitivamente este proyecto es para vos!! Las sensaciones que se sienten cuando estamos caminando por el Amazonas son incomparables, los diferentes sonidos diurnos y nocturnos, los avistamientos, las huellas de felinos com o el Jaguar, a cada metro la selva nos esperaba con una sorpresa diferente!
También tuvimos la hermosa experiencia de cosechar cacao, y luego participar en la elaboracion de chocolate, puro, natural y delicioso!
Magno, el encargado del lugar, imposible evitar nombrarlo, una `persona tan buena y sana, nos ha enseñado tanto, se le agradecerá por siempre..
Un viaje donde se generan muy lindas amistades con personas de otros países, y se viven momentos que no se olvidarán jamás!
Muchas gracias EcoDecision por hacernos vivir una experiencia inolvidable!

Natalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Una aventura inolvidable.

Translation:
Living this experience, it was really incredible. The direct contact with nature, the connection you feel is priceless.
The ability to learn new things, perform actions that contribute to the environment, and enjoy at the same time.
With ecodesision we had the opportunity to really be a contribution to the environment, plant trees, observe flora and fauna, harvest fruits and know the processes of cultivation. Learn about birds and their identification. We really live a unique experience in the middle of the Peruvian jungle.
Having contact with people from other countries and cultures, practicing another language, working as a team and above all learning, is what made the difference.
Very good experience, I recommend it and I would live it again without any doubt.

Original:
Vivir esta experiencia, fue realmente increible. El contacto directo con la naturaleza, la conexion que se siente es impagable.
El poder aprender cosas nuevas, realizar acciones que aporten al medioambiente, y disfrutar al mismo tiempo.
Con ecodesision tuvimos la oportunidad de ser realmente un aporte al medio ambiente, plantar arboles, observar flora y fauna, cosechar frutos y conocer los procesos de cultivo. Aprender sobre aves y su identificación. Realmente vivimos una experiencia unica en medio de la selva peruana.
Tener contacto con personas de otros paises y cuturas, practicar otro idioma, trabajar en equipo y por sobretodo aprender, es lo que marcó la diferencia.
Muy buena experiencia, lo recomiendo y volveria a vivirla sin duda alguna.

Niklas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Authentic Experience of peruvian Jungle

This NGO/Project offers a way to get an authentic experience of the peruvian jungle while helping with reforestation and animal welfare! I really enjoyed my time there! All the accomodations were right in the jungle, super comfortable and absolutely stunning!!! Both were right by a river where you could swim, watch Macows and other animals and just relax after work.
The other volunteers were all just amazing and inspiring people and we had a great group, energy and a lot of love.
Adriana and her boyfriend who "lead" the project are amazing people with a lot of knowledge That they want to share and nothing but love for nature and the environment!
Great project, great vision, great people!!!
Dont matter if you already are in Peru and look for a nice experience in the jungle, if you want to do an internship or just look for a useful and beautiful way to spend vacations :)
10/10
One of the best experiences I had :)

Default avatar
Marcos
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

voluntariado

Translation:
I'm Marcos, a biology student in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I was a volunteer of Ecodecision in Wasaí for two months and it was a unique experience.
From the attention received to the activities carried out, all excellent.
I met the majority of the staff, amazing people who made me feel at home from the moment I arrived.
All the activities I did were very interesting and productive! Monitoring of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Support in guided excursions. We put trap cameras and review the recordings to complete a form to register and collect data. In all these activities I was aided by Adriana, biologist and coordinator of the volunteer program. Always very attentive and dedicated.

I am very grateful to Ecodecision! A totally recommendable experience for anyone who wants to learn and know about the jungle, its fauna, flora and culture!
I will be back!!

Original:
Soy Marcos, estudiante de biología en Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fuí voluntario de Ecodecision en Wasaí por dos meses y fue una experiencía unica.
Desde la atención recibida hasta las actividades realizadas, todo excelente.
Pude conocer a la mayoría del staff, personas increibles que me hicieron sentir como en casa desde el momento en que llegué.
Todas las actividades que hice fueron muy interesantes y productivas! Monitoreos de mamiferos, reptiles y anfibios. Apoyo en las excursiones guiadas. Colocamos camaras trampa y revisamos las grabaciones para completar una planilla a modo registro y recaudacion de datos. En todas estas actividades fuí acesorado por Adriana, biologa y coordinadora del programa voluntariado. Siempre muy atenta y dedicada.

Estoy muy agradecido con Ecodecision! Una experiencía totalmente recomendable para cualquiera que quiera aprender y conocer sobre la selva, su fauna, flora y cultura!
Volveré!!

Programs

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Adriana Troncoso

Job Title
Programs Coordinator
Thumbnail

Adriana is a 24-year old Marine Biologist who fell in love with the rainforest having grown up around it. She now works in the Peruvian Amazon.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory is of a trip I took to the Marañon River in Peru. We went with a team of professional kayakers and Peruvian activists to promote the incredible potential of the river and to let the people know about the big threats posed by many mega dam projects. It was a two-week travesty with rafts and kayaks through incredible rapids and breathtaking sceneries.

What made this trip unique and unforgettable was the amazing people I met in the team and in the small riverside villages that were going to be directly affected by the dams. They were so kind to us and were very grateful for what we were doing. I had the opportunity to do a small presentation in each village about the importance of the ecosystem and how dams can affect them. I loved how even small kids participated with a lot of enthusiasm.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since I started working in Eco Decision, I feel I have acquired a lot of new knowledge because it makes me learn new things about the rainforest every day. Being surrounded by amazing people from all around the world with a lot of energy and new ideas on how to protect the Amazon and be more sustainable has opened my eyes and encouraged me to start my own projects.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

It’s hard to choose only one because there are always exciting anecdotes when you work in the rainforest. The last one I remember happened to me and two volunteers. We were walking along the river shore to see the sunset when we found caiman footprints that went into a pond, so we assumed there was a caiman there.

We started to look for it, but it was very muddy. We were using a tripod to pick up the mud, and we were about to quit when one of the volunteers raised the tripod with an adult white caiman on top! It wasn't moving and we thought it was dead because it had its eyes closed, but it suddenly opened its eyes, jumped out the tripod, and started walking slowly out of the pond. It passed right through us and simply got into another pond.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Because I’m a Biologist, I will definitely choose the Biology Program as it is more inclined on doing research and going out every day to look for animals. I’m more inclined to mammal monitoring, but birds and herptiles are also amazing creatures to see, and very little is known. The Education Program is also one of my favorites because it allows us to share all the information we have. I also strongly believe that education is crucial for conservation.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What makes Eco Decision unique is the passion for conservation that all the members of the team share. I love the fact that it makes you feel like part of a family and not a big company where you never get to know the boss, and where everyone is treated horizontally with a lot of respect and kindness.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The most important thing in a successful company is its employees. A company is nothing without a team. Every member of the company has to feel that they are part of the team. They need to have a good and friendly working environment. If employees are happy and they like what they are doing, then the clients will be happy too.