Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation in Botanic Gardens

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  • The Project

    This project - known by the locals as ‘Grand Paradise’, was set up 25 years ago and is run by 30
    individuals based in a 35 acre nature reserve, 15 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. It’s goal is to
    nurture and protect the natural environment, ecosystems, flora and wildlife of Bolivia within their
    protected area. There are over 600 plant species in the park with birds and mammals living free
    within it. Park guides educate visitors about conservation, the importance of their natural world and
    teach traditional techniques, stories and histories of local environmental customs. The park
    includes collections of Palm trees, Orchids, Bonsai, plants used in traditional medicine as well as
    native birds, mammals and reptiles.

  • Why the project needs you

    The park is expansive and required a great deal of attention to maintain. While the park employs
    local staff, it relies on local and foreign volunteers to support their efforts. New techniques brought
    in by past volunteers have been implemented and the park are always looking for new ideas and
    approaches to improve their conservation efforts.

    Project Location

    Santa Cruz de la Sierra ("Holy Cross of the Hills"), in the tropical lowlands of east-central Bolivia, has
    been growing at an unprecedented pace in the past 15 years and its boom continues. Besides
    being renowned for its historical 18th-century Jesuit missions, Santa Cruz is well known for its
    cuisine, which benefits from the agricultural richness and diversity of the region. It's local culture
    and traditions are similarly distinctive - a visit to Santa Cruz during its frenetic and colourful
    Carnival season will leave a lifelong impression! Besides having all the amenities of a modern city,
    Santa Cruz is within easy reach of Bolivia's most stunning natural offerings including remote Andes
    peaks and steamy rainforests. Santa Cruz is known as almost a country unto itself, whose residents
    are very proud to call it home.

  • Project Facts

    • Duration: 2-26 weeks
    • Cost: £675 ($1181) for 2 weeks, £175 ($306) each extra week .
    • Requirements: Age 17+
    • Location: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
    • Project Activities: Park maintenance,
    feeding animals, plant research and
    improving literature
    • Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 8.30-12.00 and 14.00-18.00
    • Project Availability: Weekly start dates. Closed 1st week of February

  • What is included

    •Accommodation: Single or shared room in a home-stay
    •Food: 3 meals per day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner(except Sundays)
    •Airport pick up and drop off
    •Training: Orientation and project induction provided
    •Support: 24 hour support
    •Excursion Planning: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra)

  • What is not included

    •Flights
    •Insurance
    •Visas
    •Daily Transport to and from your project
    •Optional Spanish classes available at $7/hour
    •Lunch and Dinner on Sundays

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