Community Outreach
Nonprofit Organizations
Jatun Sacha Bilsa Biological Station
The Jatun Sacha Foundation is an Ecuadorian nonprofit organization committed to environmental conservation efforts. In the local indigenous Kichwa language, “jatun sacha” refers to the “big forest.” According to the organization, their mission is to conserve “biological and cultural diversity through different models of private conservation, environmental education and promotion of research and productive projects that help improve the quality of life of people living in areas of influence of its activities.” The foundation was formed in 1985 and has since established research centers, reserves, and biological stations at five sites throughout Ecuador. One of these sites is the Bilsa Biological Station, which was founded in 1994.
The Bilsa Biological Station is part of the larger Mache Chindul Ecological Reserve (REMACH), which is included in Ecuador’s National System of Protected Areas (SNAP). Dedicated to environmental education and field research, the station spans 3,000 hectares in northwestern Ecuador, conserving a vital piece of coastal premontane wet tropical forest. While human activities such as habitation, logging, and oil exploitation have put the region at risk, Bilsa is a biodiversity hotspot, rich with extensive forms of flora and fauna. It is part of the larger Tumbes - Chocó - Magdalena biodiversity hotspot, is classified as part of the World Conservation Sanctuaries, is listed as one of the World Important Bird Areas (IBAS), and is home to three of Ecuador’s major coastal watersheds.
Contact information:
Conservation International
For more information, click here. Conservation International's work in Bilsa is closely related to their Global Conservation Fund.
Volunteer Opportunities
Escape to Ecuador
Escape to Ecuador offers a variety of volunteer and outreach activities within Ecuador, and connects travellers and volunteers to the Bilsa Biological Station. It provides streamlined information on the Biological Station as well as what one who wishes to volunteer there can expect. Outlining the main initiatives of reforestation and maintenance, Escape to Ecuador also offers ideas for a variety of individual projects for example: Trail Maintenance, Natural Regeneration Studies, Bird Observation, and teaching at local community schools. You can further expand your work in the region by working with the greater Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve which Bilsa is a part of.
Contact Information:
Global Volunteer Network
Global Volunteer Network is a worldwide volunteer site that helps connect volunteers to projects across the Globe. With a concise and consolidated application process, connecting to Ecuador’s Bilsa Biological Station could not be easier. The Network promotes a variety of activities including nature hikes, learning from researchers, and assisting with forest maintenance. It further offers suggestions for how to connect with locals, practice your Spanish skills, and learning more about Ecuadorian culture.
Contact Info:
Great Wilderness
Great Wilderness is an organization that helps connect you to the Bilsa Biological Station by allowing you to apply through their website. It is unique in that in addition to the variety of current projects taking place in Bilsa, you are able to design and propose your own project. Simply provide a 2-5 page summary of an original project and what work it entails along with your application. Further expand your volunteer work with social projects in surrounding communities with the help of Great Wilderness.
Contact Info:
Soraya Delgado, Director of Latin American Programs
[email protected]
(607) 379-1599
Jatun Sacha Bilsa Biological Station
The Jatun Sacha Foundation is an Ecuadorian nonprofit organization committed to environmental conservation efforts. In the local indigenous Kichwa language, “jatun sacha” refers to the “big forest.” According to the organization, their mission is to conserve “biological and cultural diversity through different models of private conservation, environmental education and promotion of research and productive projects that help improve the quality of life of people living in areas of influence of its activities.” The foundation was formed in 1985 and has since established research centers, reserves, and biological stations at five sites throughout Ecuador. One of these sites is the Bilsa Biological Station, which was founded in 1994.
The Bilsa Biological Station is part of the larger Mache Chindul Ecological Reserve (REMACH), which is included in Ecuador’s National System of Protected Areas (SNAP). Dedicated to environmental education and field research, the station spans 3,000 hectares in northwestern Ecuador, conserving a vital piece of coastal premontane wet tropical forest. While human activities such as habitation, logging, and oil exploitation have put the region at risk, Bilsa is a biodiversity hotspot, rich with extensive forms of flora and fauna. It is part of the larger Tumbes - Chocó - Magdalena biodiversity hotspot, is classified as part of the World Conservation Sanctuaries, is listed as one of the World Important Bird Areas (IBAS), and is home to three of Ecuador’s major coastal watersheds.
Contact information:
- Address: Pasaje Eugenio de Santillán N34-248 y Maurián. Urbanización Rumipamba Quito, Ecuador South America
- Phone Number: (593 2) 2432-240 / 3317-163 / 3318-191
- Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
- Website: http://www.jatunsacha.org/bilsa-biological-station/
Conservation International
For more information, click here. Conservation International's work in Bilsa is closely related to their Global Conservation Fund.
Volunteer Opportunities
Escape to Ecuador
Escape to Ecuador offers a variety of volunteer and outreach activities within Ecuador, and connects travellers and volunteers to the Bilsa Biological Station. It provides streamlined information on the Biological Station as well as what one who wishes to volunteer there can expect. Outlining the main initiatives of reforestation and maintenance, Escape to Ecuador also offers ideas for a variety of individual projects for example: Trail Maintenance, Natural Regeneration Studies, Bird Observation, and teaching at local community schools. You can further expand your work in the region by working with the greater Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve which Bilsa is a part of.
Contact Information:
Global Volunteer Network
Global Volunteer Network is a worldwide volunteer site that helps connect volunteers to projects across the Globe. With a concise and consolidated application process, connecting to Ecuador’s Bilsa Biological Station could not be easier. The Network promotes a variety of activities including nature hikes, learning from researchers, and assisting with forest maintenance. It further offers suggestions for how to connect with locals, practice your Spanish skills, and learning more about Ecuadorian culture.
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (800) 963-1198
- Email: [email protected]
Great Wilderness
Great Wilderness is an organization that helps connect you to the Bilsa Biological Station by allowing you to apply through their website. It is unique in that in addition to the variety of current projects taking place in Bilsa, you are able to design and propose your own project. Simply provide a 2-5 page summary of an original project and what work it entails along with your application. Further expand your volunteer work with social projects in surrounding communities with the help of Great Wilderness.
Contact Info:
Soraya Delgado, Director of Latin American Programs
[email protected]
(607) 379-1599