Santa Lucia is part of a larger conservation objective - the Choco-Andean Rainforest Corridor project, within which the Santa Lucia community is located. As well as being part of the corridor, Santa Lucia is one of the few truly community based eco-tourism initiatives within Ecuador. Although it receives support from outside sources, the management, administration and day-to-day running of the project is entirely made up of the local population.
Whereas previously the locals made their living from extensive agriculture and cattle-farming, lack of sustainability and the desire to become more “eco-friendly” gave way to this change of direction. QUEST has been supporting the project by helping to create the basic infrastructure for them to receive tourists, scientists and other volunteers. Teams have helped to build the lodge, create interpretive trails, and reforest pasture land, among other projects.
Skills required: Experience of teaching and environmental education with basic Spanish.
(Quest Sabbaticals can arrange a Spanish course if required)
From £3,050 + £400 donation to the Quest Charitable Trust
Includes all food, accommodation, airport transfers, pre-departure training, in-country support.
The donation to the Quest Charitable Trust can be fundraised and will be used to support the projects at Santa Lucia.