Sustainable Forest Development Project in Peru
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Introduction to Greenheart Travel Greenheart Travel is personally invested in providing cultural immersion programs that change lives, advance careers and create leaders. Our organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to connecting people and planet to create a more peaceful and sustainable global community. We provide others with the same positive travel experiences in which we ourselves engage. Through travel and cultural exchange, we help individuals reach their full potential, leading to a more tolerant, peaceful and environmentally sustainable world. Greenheart Travel’s Values
A Commitment to the Environment: As the leading eco-friendly exchange organization, we are passionate about helping travelers explore the globe while respecting the environment and cultural heritage of the destinations they explore. Our Carbon Offset Program: We donate a portion of your program fee to offset the carbon emissions your trip abroad will create, as well as donate to our environmentally-focused volunteer program partners to help them complete specific project goals. Check out how our past carbon offset donations have been put to good use: Creating Sustainability Within Our International Communities: We believe in supporting our travelers to make a positive impact in their host communities. The Greenheart Club is just one way we can help you promote green practices while traveling abroad through Greenheart Grant funding and community support. Connecting with Our Local Chicago Community: Greenheart Travel plays an active role in community initiatives, informative workshops, and fundraisers to help others learn how to travel for a change in our hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
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Sustainable Forest Development Project in Peru We achieve the above goals and values by partnering with organizations and governments overseas that empower their local communities through experiential learning and practical development. One such partnership is with our rainforest reforestation & environmental center in the Manu Bio-Reserve in the middle of the Peruvian rainforest. History of Program Our non-profit partner has been working with conservation research and sustainable development for over a decade in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Globally recognized as the most biodiverse places on earth and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Manu Biosphere Reserve is home to part of the last original forest in Peru. Manu is also home to local communities who are trying to develop sustainable livelihoods that both protect the environment but provide economic and social development for them and their families. With a rise in deforestation and unsustainable exploitation of the natural resources, the Manu faces challenges to its survival, not just today but for future generations. Its fragile ecosystems are to an amazing array of fauna and flora as well as indigenous people who are struggling to live sustainably and in harmony.
Topic of Project Based at an active research center, interns support the development of species field guides and peer-reviewed articles published in scientific journals. The biodiversity levels found at the project location, due to its unique location at an altitude which sees a crossover of species and variety of forest types, is unusual. The regenerating forest found at the Manu Learning Centre is home to species such as puma and jaguar, a huge bird list and species of amphibians new to science have been recorded. Interns have unique access to both the conservation research and the sustainable community development projects providing a deeper understanding of the wider context of conservation and sustainability issues in real time.
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Intern Responsibilities Collect and monitor species and habitats found at the Manu Learning Centre Study endangered species such as the Blue Headed Macaw and the Jaguar Explore how humans impact on biodiversity and crucial conservation issues Track mammals via camera traps and forest transects (we recorded 7 individual Jaguars last year alone!) Hike daily to find and identify species nesting and feeding sites Monitor and register trail biodiversity (jaguars, tapirs, deer, birds and monkeys) Process and upload data that is used by international conservation projects to determine wider conservation strategies Contribute to data that helps ensure these species remain protected and inform government decisions Example Weekly Itinerary Projects normally run 5 days per week, with one or two days free per week for relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings. Project hours are from 7am – 6pm daily, with a break in the middle of the day although this varies for some projects when required by seasonal conditions or project activities. Also keep in mind that Peruvian culture often has a slower pace of life with a siesta in the middle of the day
5.30 am 7 am 7.30 am 12.30 1-3 pm 3-5 pm 5 pm 6.30 pm 7.15 pm 10.30 pm
A typical day during the projects: Visit the clay lick, and monitor the Blue-headed macaws A hearty breakfast is served Trek into the forest and set up butterfly traps Lunch at MLC Rest Work in the MLC bio-garden Spanglish lessons whilst helping with dinner in kitchen Dinner is served! Night transect for amphibians Return to the center with amphibian bounty. Shower, hot chocolate then bed! (Note there would be no early start the following day due to the late night)
*Please note the sample itinerary is an example only and is subject to change.
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What is it like in Peru? There are two distinct seasons in Manu; rainy between December and April and dry, between May to November. Some 1,200 millimeters/67 inches of rain fall during the wet season, during which there is typically heavy rain in the afternoons, lasting an hour or so. Daytime temperatures are high throughout the year, but are more extreme during the wet season. During the dry season temperatures can reach 40°C/104ºF and may drop as low as -1.5°C/29ºF at night. Cold fronts may occur for two days to a week during the dry season months, especially from May to July; temperatures during these fronts may be close to freezing at night. Accommodations Interns are housed in the Manu Learning Centre (MLC), a lodge that has been verified by the Rainforest Alliance for high standards of sustainability. Nestled in the splendor of the Amazon, the MLC provides comfortable, airy accommodation, research facilities and ample space for project needs. The center has solar powered internet (which is sporadic and backed up by a generator), environmentally sound septic system and gravity fed water pumps in order to keep within the center’s aims to minimize its impact on the environment and reduce its carbon footprint. Each accommodation pod has two beds within it, and every volunteer receives their own fresh bedding and linens (including mosquito nets), which are changed once a week. Rooms are constructed in an open plan style with a splendid view of the forest creating a feeling of total immersion in the surrounding nature, whilst large curtains separate off private areas to provide additional comfort.
Meals Tasty, wholesome, healthy meals and packed lunches are provided three times a day. Often interns are regularly surprised by the creativity of our chefs who turn simple ingredients into delicious meals; the food is always extremely highly praised by interns, with many claiming never to have eaten as well! Most dietary requirements can be catered for, as long as we are notified in advance. Internet & Electricity Please be aware that there is limited electricity at the MLC. We have our own generator but this is only switched on at certain scheduled times to ensure that we minimize our impact on the environment. Due
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to the limited electricity we don’t have electric lights and therefore interns will need to use their head torches at night. Interns have access to electricity for charging electronics at the following times: Monday 7.30-9.30pm Wednesday 7.30-9.30pm Friday 7.30-9.30pm Sunday 7.30-9.30pm Internet access at the MLC is to be considered a luxury. Being based in such a remote location means that access can be sporadic and most times is not reliable. If you do get the chance in your busy schedule to write home via the internet it is a chargeable service, $5USD per hour if using solar power. Laptops can be damaged due to the high humidity so if you do decide to take yours, you may want to take a large zip lock bag to store it in and keep moisture out. Your Expectations You should be prepared to live in a remote area of the rainforest where access to outside resources is more limited than your normal day-to-day life. While internet service is available at the learning center, the connectivity can be limited or unavailable during your stay. This may lead to difficulty connecting with friends or family at home regularly via internet, and you should plan on bringing books or other non-electronic devices to occupy your time after your daily volunteer duties. You should be prepared to live and work as a member of a team, including sharing accommodation and helping with domestic chores. Although flexibility and a positive attitude are essential, you don’t need any prior skills or experience, as you’ll get all the training you’ll need on-site. You should be prepared to interact with people from all walks of life. Be open and respectful of different habits and lifestyles. You might have some trouble at first with the language depending on how well you speak Spanish. While communication barriers are difficult to deal with sometimes, try your best to just go with it and use your hands if you need to!
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Logistical Information Start Dates: This program is offered throughout the year in the Spring, Summer and Fall terms. We offer multiple start dates for your flexibility and we can coordinate with your schedule once you are accepted onto the program. -
All arrivals are on Monday. All stays are for 6 weeks.
Please note: Due to the small nature of this program, start dates do fill up very early. If you are interested, we recommend starting the enrollment process 12 weeks or more before you desired start date, especially if your schedule is not flexible. 2016 Program Fee Unlike some of the other internship programs, Greenheart Travel offers an all-inclusive program fee which includes all of your in-country expenses. You will pay this fee upfront directly to Greenheart Travel via credit card. Program Cost: $5,450
What is included in the program fee? Round trip airfare from TPA to CUZ
Accommodations for 6 weeks in the Manu
3 meals per day
Pre-departure cultural orientation
Pick up at CUZ Airport
Drop off at CUZ Airport
On-site training & education
24 hour emergency support
Certificate of completion at end of program
Emergency Medical Insurance
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