The bio station at Hacienda Tranquila,

Project Details


Name: Hacienda Tranquila
PROJECT Period: 1 week minimum & 12 weeks maximum
Program: Volunteer Abroad Program
Country: Ecuador/ San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

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.