Congal Ecology and Community Development - Ecuador
The Congal Reserve was created in 2000 and is located in southwestern Esmeraldas province, close to the town of Muisne. The Congal Reserve features beach, estuarine, mangrove, wetlands and humid tropical forest habitats which account for the regions high biodiversity and local endemism. Congal is part of the Mangrove Wild Life Refugee of Muisne and is in the buffer zone of the Mache Chindul National Ecology Reserve. The Reserve influences over 500 hundred hectares of publicly owned mangroves and was the first mangrove reserve of it kind created in the Muisne area.
Program Description
Volunteers will be able to participate in projects including mangrove and tropical humid forest restoration, marine conservation, community outreach and direct involvement, management of aquaculture and forestry systems, organic farming, biological inventories and maintenance of Reserve facilities. The raising of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species is one of the main projects being developed at Congal. It includes land crabs, agouti, fish, clam species and organic shrimp, and in the future green iguana hatchlings. Since October 2004, the Reserve is carrying out a sea turtle monitoring program in order to determine their conservation status.
Accommodation
The Congal accommodations have
- Safe and clean sleeping areas (2-4 per room)
- Clean and functional bathroom facilities
- Showers
- Sanitary food services (excellent seafood)
- Access to medical support
- Onsite communications
- Electricity
- Fresh water
8 Day Program Schedule
- Day 1 Arrive Quito
- Day 2 - 4 Volunteer Project
- Day 5 Recreation Activities
- Day 6 - 7 Volunteer Project
- Day 8 Return to USA
14 Day Program
- Day 1 Arrive Quito
- Day 2 - 7 Volunteer Project
- Day 8 - 10 Recreation Trip
- Day 11 - 13 Volunteer Project
- Day 14 Return to USA
Rest and Recreation
The project is located on what is one of Ecuador's most beautiful beaches and provides ample opportunities for a variety of beach activities such as snorkeling and boogie boarding. Other possible activities include rainforest hiking, rafting, and horseback riding. Costs for all mid program recreational activities are included in the program fee.
Service Program Fee
The One Week Program Fee is $696.00 per person the Two Week Program Fee is $1296.00 per person. This includes all in country transportation, insurance, accommodations, meals, bilingual guide, tools and equipment, project coordination, mid program recreation activities. (International airfare is not included.)
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