Tree Guardians: Eco-volunteerism in Ecuador

Tropical Cordillera Foundation, an Ecuadorian non-profit organization based in Cuenca, is seeking an eight-person volunteer crew to assist rural Ecuadorian families implement sustainable ranching practices. During this 7-day trip to the Tropical Andes, volunteers will plant and fertilize forage trees in an impoverished pasture, which in turn will benefit small cattle producers living alongside Ecuador’s Sangay National Park.

The team will also visit a local school to talk about their work and how it impacts local families and the surrounding environment. The trip will begin and end in scenic Cuenca, Ecuador, a World Heritage site, where the team will explore the cobblestone streets and picturesque churches. Participants should be in good physical shape and capable of working in tough, muddy conditions. The work sites are located at elevations between 9-10,000 feet.