Have an inspiring Encounter with nature.
Hacienda Tranquila, S.A., established by David Essoyan in 2004 in a partnership with Geovanny Sarigu.
Hacienda Tranquila, S.A., established by David Essoyan in 2004 in a partnership with Geovanny Sarigu.
Experience the warm welcome of Hacienda Tranquila. We offer expeditions and environmental programs on San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Our goal is to provide you with an unforgettable experience that could possibly be the most fascinating journey of a lifetime.
Our Volunteer Program.
The bio station is located in the highlands of the island, on a 50 hectare site, where there is still native vegetation. One of the objectives of this new station will be to develop the technology to reconstruct native habitat in the highlands on San Cristobal, and to serve as a centre for similar projects in the highlands of other populated islands in the Galapagos chain. The remaining native highland forests on the populated islands are quite limited due to farming activities in general, and the introduction of useful, but very invasive, species from the mainland. Volunteers work to reverse the negative effects of invasive or introduced species, restoring the native and endemic forests of San Cristobal. They also do a social work with organizations such as the Instituto Nacional del Nino y la Familia (INFA) to promote environmental conservation among young children from the island as well as motivate community members to plant local, rather than introduced vegetation.
Volunteers’ Primary Responsibilities:
Volunteers work in a controlled plot of land to eliminate introduced/ invasive plant species and to restore native and endemic species, growing the plants first in a greenhouse, and then transplanting them to their permanent locations. Volunteers also assist in community projects, such as burying a new water pipeline for the local community. In addition, they mentor children from INFA, working with them in hippo-therapy, gardening, environmental education, and fieldtrips to the Hacienda. Hacienda team-members are always on-hand for assistance and guidance in volunteer projects.
Project Life:
You will live and work on the station itself. Nature takes over when working in a place such as this, so you will get up early each morning to start work and usually have a break in the middle of the day to relax and recuperate, before continuing with the work in the afternoon. The jobs you will be involved in are numerous and most of the work is on reforestation, research and community-based projects. You will be involved in the restoration of habitats, as well as assisting with the organic agriculture component of the project. Volunteers usually work for five days each week, and weekends off. Days are long and hard and volunteers should be prepared for hot and physical but rewarding work. Evenings are quiet and usually spent lounging in hammocks, chatting, listening to music, writing your journal or reading. Sometimes you will find that you are one of only two or three volunteers, and others there will be larger groups, so be prepared for variety in the people you meet and work with.
What Difference Does This Project Make?
This is the only project in the Galapagos islands that work in environmental, Community and social work. The Biological Station opened on San Cristobal in 2005. Since its inception, the station field house and a significant nursery operation have been constructed The Foundation has worked in the development of reforestation, habitat re-composition, and agro forestry activities during its 5 years in the island. In virtue of this, one of the objectives of this station is to develop methodological practices for natural system reconstruction that will serve as a model for similar projects in other reserves. Volunteers have begun reforestation work with Hacienda Tranquila employees, replacing exotic invasive plants with native species and do also social work with organizations such as the Instituto Nacional del Nino y la Familia (INFA) in Hippo-Therapy, and to promote environmental conservation among young children from the island as well as motivate community members to plant local, rather than introduced vegetation. Plans include the construction of a native plant corridor, from the dry forest portion of the reserve below to the moist forest above. Reforestation with native plants will be emphasized as a Plant Production Center is developed
Highlights;
Participating in the restoration of habitats in the Galapagos Islands, work with local community; visiting ecologically important sites; teaching visitors about ecological issues; exploring the island and marveling at the unique wildlife.
Name and Address:
GEOVANNY SARIGU
General Manager of Hacienda Tranquila S.A
San Cristóbal Galápagos
Vía a playa Mann, La casa verde.
Phone: 593 52-521-732 Email: haciendatranquila@gmail.com
General Manager of Hacienda Tranquila S.A
San Cristóbal Galápagos
Vía a playa Mann, La casa verde.
Phone: 593 52-521-732 Email: haciendatranquila@gmail.com
