CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST “This is an experience of a lifetime, one for people from all walks of life.”- Lawrence Smart

Background

Who We Are
Committed to protection of the balance of life in the Peruvian Rainforest, our aim is to bring economic, social and environmental harmony to the Manu region using sustainable practice. We strive to develop and initiate education & research projects that:

Attain a greater understanding of the various Flora and Fauna found within the Manu Biosphere Reserve Provide support for local research Work closely with the local indigenous communities to promote knowledge sharing and natural resource management.

Our highly motivating and engaging volunteer program makes volunteers a partner in positive change: directly benefiting local communities, the environment and the long-term conservation of the Amazon. Our program combines training, challenging work and a great adventure making it a brilliantly unique and rewarding way to visit and actively understand more about the rainforest, its people and its conservation needs.

Where We Are- The Manu Valley

"I have visited rainforests a great many times and this is by far the best I’ve seen." -Paul White

The Project takes place at ‘The Manu Learning Centre’ a research centre in a large reserve located in the South East corner of Peru. Consisting of 640 hectares of seemingly endless rich and diverse rainforest stretching across Brazil to the Atlantic Ocean (and further renowned as an area of abundant wildlife and high species biodiversity), the Manu Biosphere Reserve has been officially recognised as a site of importance and intrigue since 1987.

The Manu Learning Centre lies within the Reserve in a 1 hectare clearing overlooking the river. A real immersion into remoteness and the Amazon, it is a 45 minute drive from the nearest village! The design of the facility complements its surroundings using a fusion of traditional thatched techniques with modern design, while utilising the latest in natural resource management to maintain the site. To add to this already beautiful location, there is a waterfall that borders the Centre! Mammals in the area include peccaries, puma, jaguar, armadillos and several species of monkey. Tortoises and lizards are also present. Currently 365 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including parrots, hummingbirds and the rather bizarre Hoatzin. Like any jungle there are lots of insects and there are also tarantulas and snakes, but these are not frequently seen.

There are many trails in the forest that are very productive in terms of wildlife because they are not used by tourists. However one of the main reasons the area was selected for study was that within a reasonably small area there is land that has been impacted by agriculture and human activity in the past. This is why there are such a variety of forest types within the private reserve (forests in different stages of re-growth as well as in different ecosystems). It is through comparative studies between the old and new forest that conservationists aim to learn more about the effect of human activity on biodiversity as well as the ability of forests to regenerate.

The environment is relaxing, with nice weather, good views, excellent accommodation and very pleasant company. Entertainment is very much home-made and there is a real community spirit among the volunteers whilst still allowing for ‘personal space’. Volunteers are well cared for whilst still having the excitement of being in the jungle. All the staff are enthusiastic, helpful and caring.

Volunteer Itinerary

The Orientation

To begin your placement, we start in the ancient Inca capital city of Cusco with a day of orientation and preparation. During the day you’ll also be able to tour this fascinating city. The next morning starts with a journey through the high Andes from Cusco to the cloud forest on the edge of the Amazon. You stop in the town of Paucartambo on route to visit a mountain community and then in Acjanco Park Guard Station to learn about the high cloud forest. The road then descends down into the Amazon rainforest where you’ll stop at a ‘Cock of the Rock’ lek (a display ground in the forest) and hopefully spot the national bird of Peru. Then the final part of the journey to the centre is by motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios River. The road (and river) to the centre is one of the most diverse and incredible journeys in the world- a truly spectacular way to begin your stay.

The Training

The first seven days is used to give all volunteers the sufficient training so you can begin to make a valuable participation and contribution to the 3 core areas: Conservation Research, Capacity Building & Education and Livelihoods & Communities

You will receive key education in the following:

• First Aid & Basic rainforest survival skills
• Tropical Ecology
• Conservation & Sustainability
• Natural History
• Cultural Diversity & History
• Astronomy
• Wilderness Ethics and natural resources conservation
• Flora & Fauna Monitoring
• Reforestation & Agro-forestry
• Ethno-botany
• Environmental Education

Having acquired skills in the above, you can become an invaluable asset to helping scientific advisors and project coordinators continue with their work and also begin to start your own.

The Placement

“It’s nice to have the flexibility to choose what you would like to participate in-
Lots of options so you get what you make of it” –Diego Johnson

As there are many different types of projects on the go at the same time, we are able to offer you multiple activities during you’re time with us:

"When I arrived, all the volunteers were working on their own projects and they took great pride in showing me what they were doing. They all felt their efforts were benefiting the local community." (Paul White)

Where possible, your time with us will be tailored to match your interests and to where you can make the most impact. The degree to which you'll run or assist on projects will largely depend upon your abilities. This is not however a cause for concern: help does not by any means end with the training. You will receive guidance and encouragement from professional project coordinators throughout conducting your own work. All we ask you have beforehand therefore is a sense of adventure, determination, good humor, willingness to participate and above all a drive to learn new things... naturally if you have previous experience in environmental monitoring, construction, scientific research or speaking Spanish then all the better! The rest will follow. Our projects give you the chance to acquire a wide range of new skills, so the longer you participate on the project the more skills you'll have the chance to develop.

To give you an idea, past projects have included:

• Fauna - wildlife monitoring and capacity building program
• Mapping - using GPS to map the area and record areas of special interest
• Water purification - using local plants and biomass to filter and cleanse water
• Carbon initiative - offsetting greenhouse emissions through forest regeneration
• Reforestation - planting new forest to provide renewable commercial timber
• Education - educating local children in rainforest and sustainable development practices
• Field guide - producing an illustrated educational tool
• Night monkeys - studying the habits of the night monkey
• Jungle exploration - maintaining and expanding the trail system and exploring the area

What’s to be gained by doing this project?

“a fascinating place to work and with the range of projects available you are able to contribute something of real value whilst enjoying the opportunity to learn from experts on the trip of a life time!” -Helen Jewitt

• Professional Training: Become a productive volunteer learning valuable field skills for career, degree or just for fun!
• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Peruvian Rainforest life!
• The enormous satisfaction of knowing that you're contributing to a worthwhile and necessary conservation project aimed at protecting and preserving our world for future generations.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• An enlarged network of contacts working in conservation and sustainability
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Getting Signed-Up, Sorted and Started!

Getting Here/ On Arrival

Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavor to get a changeable ticket

You'll fly into Cusco where you'll be met at the airport. From the airport you'll be taken into Cusco to a hostel/hotel and arrangements will be made for you to have some food, telephone home, change some money, etc. The Orientation, tours, and transfer to The Manu Learning Centre will follow as described.

Programme Prices

Programme Dates

A Break from the Working Rhythm: Optional Add-On Activities

Our optional Add-On 4 Day Expeditions have proved incredibly popular in the past 5 years, offering you and other hard-working volunteers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. While trekking to hot-springs and white water rafting you will also get to stay with the local indigenous communities giving you the perfect chance to learn further about the people, sites and diversity that exist in Manu.


Your stay with us- Accommodation

"Beautiful site and gorgeous lodge!"- Tara Buxton

Idyllically placed on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest on a hill next to a river, the Manu Learning Centre has a truly ’nice’ feel to it. Consisting of 6 thatched buildings (3 of which being accommodation houses with a classroom/workshop on the ground floor), it is relaxed, peaceful, and has been stylishly constructed in keeping with its surroundings. In keeping with that truly Amazon feel- lighting is by candle and rooms have open walls keeping them fresh and airy and giving you that feeling of being immersed right in the heart of the rainforest. You'll be sharing a room with other volunteers. There is no electricity but our generator works ideally for charging up electronic items and is run for a few hours every night: not great for hair-straighteners but perfect for camera batteries etc!

The bathroom is a separate block and well equipped with six cubicles, each containing a (Western) flush toilet, hand-basin and cold shower. There is a dining and relaxation area, with tables and a few armchairs, as well as a library and covered hammock area to wind-down in after a days work.

Food:

"The MLC is a very well designed and a luxury compared to most biological stations, the food is much better than any research station I have known."- Lisa Lewinson: Food is provided and you'll have three meals per day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is wholesome and mainly vegetarian. Often pasta or rice, soup, fruit juice. There is always a flask of hot water, tea, coffee and filtered (safe) drinking water available in the dining room. The cook is able to cater for a number of specialised diets, although choices may be limited.