Commitment
Skilled Volunteers: Minimum 3-week stay, up to 2-3 months maximum.
Research Volunteers: 1-3 weeks (flexible for research needs).
Housing & Food
Accommodations provided (solar power, limited internet, outdoor dry toilets).
Skilled Volunteers: Basic vegetarian meals covered, including veggies, eggs, and staples sourced from town.
Research Volunteers: $10-15/day to cover vegetarian meals and accommodations, waived if contributing 5-10 hours/week to hands-on tasks.
Setting
Remote and serene—perfect for nature lovers comfortable with solitude or small groups (2-3 people max). Expect minimal amenities and a 20-minute walk + 40-minute drive to the nearest town, Mindo.
Who We Need
Skilled Volunteers: Independent, self-motivated individuals with skills in carpentry, permaculture, conservation biology, or renewable energy. Must be adaptable to off-grid living and ready for hands-on, physical work.
Research Volunteers: Biology students or researchers interested in studying the cloudforest’s biodiversity, willing to contribute research deliverables and, in some cases, some hands-on work. Note: there is no on-site team or supervision, applicants must feel confident in their ability to understake their research.
Our project is located in a critically understudied biodiversity hotspot in Ecuador’s cloud forest. Despite its ecological importance, there are major gaps in data—especially for birds, plants, and amphibians—which limits effective conservation. We urgently need researchers.biologists who can:
– Document and catalog species (e.g., baseline inventories, behavioral observations).
– Contribute to long-term monitoring (e.g., using camera traps, audio recorders, or iNaturalist).
– Produce actionable outputs (e.g., species lists, habitat assessments, or guides for future researchers).
Again, given the remote and unsupervised nature of our site, we prioritize volunteers with field experience who can design and execute their own projects safely.
We’re thrilled to invite passionate, self-reliant volunteers to join us at our project site near the laid-back, tropical town of Mindo, Ecuador. Our small NGO, officially established in August 2024, is committed to preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable living in the Choco Andino Cloudforest—one of Ecuador’s ecological treasures. Founded by Sandra and Paulina, a couple driven by a dream to build a creative village that reveres the earth, water, and all natural elements, we’ve already crowdfunded and secured 30 hectares (74 acres) of pristine cloudforest for conservation since our launch. Our next goal? Protecting at least 100 more hectares (about 250 acres) within the coming years.
Our tight-knit team of five includes one member living part-time near Mindo, while the rest of us are based 2-3 hours away near Quito, balancing outreach, fundraising, and other commitments. We visit the site every 10-14 days, and roughly once a month when we come with a small group of people for an ecoretreat.
Our Remote Retreat & Rustic Reality
Nestled in untouched wilderness, our land offers a rare chance to step away from the hustle of modern life and root yourself in nature. Be prepared—this isn’t your typical volunteer gig:
- Part-Time Presence: We don’t live on-site full-time, making this a haven for independent spirits, couples, or small groups who thrive without constant oversight and can be trusted to manage on their own.
- Local Support: Zambrano, our dependable caretaker, oversees the property when we’re away. A skilled builder and horseman living nearby (but not on-site), he’s your go-to contact for guidance—though he speaks only Spanish.
- Equine Ally: Meet Alfalfa (or Alpha), our resident horse, who pitches in by transporting people and materials across the rugged terrain.
- Basic Living: Expect rustic accommodations with minimal internet, solar-powered energy, and running water in the kitchen, showers, and a few taps. Bathrooms are outdoor dry toilets (which can get soggy in the rainy season—a fix we’re prioritizing!).
Surrounded by serene isolation, you’ll share space with incredible wildlife—think Andean spectacled bears, pumas, deer, the occasional venomous fer-de-lance (rubber boots are a must!), and a symphony of birds, amphibians, and plants unique to this biodiverse hotspot.
Who Thrives Here?
This is a calling for nature enthusiasts who are:
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Self-starters, happy working solo or in small teams (2-3 people max).
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Fired up about safeguarding biodiversity and living sustainably.
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Confident tackling tasks without hand-holding.
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Aligned with our ethos of honoring the land.
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Ready to roll up their sleeves in a wild, early-rising setting.
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At ease with basic, off-grid conditions.
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Unfazed by mosquitoes (though the cool, fresh climate keeps it pleasant).
Skilled Volunteers:
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Skilled in hands-on trades like carpentry, permaculture, trail-building, or horse care.
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Able to commit to a minimum of 3 weeks, up to 2-3 months max.
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Ready for physical, hands-on work to build our creative village.
Research Volunteers:
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Biology students or researchers studying the cloudforest’s biodiversity (e.g., birds, plants, reptiles).
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Able to commit to 1-3 weeks, with flexibility for research needs.
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Willing to produce a research deliverable (e.g., species inventory, ecological report, or educational content like a birdwatching guide).
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Ready to contribute 5-10 hours/week to hands-on tasks (e.g., tree planting, trail maintenance) to waive the $10-15/day fee for meals and accommodations.
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Prepared to share their experience on social media or connect us with academic networks to raise awareness about our project.
Heads-Up!: This isn’t the spot for those craving a lively social scene, constant internet connectivity, needing constant direction, or expecting creature comforts.
Projects That Need You
We’re buzzing with initiatives that could use your talents:
1. Permaculture & Planting
- Kickstarting food gardens with tropical fruits, pruning overgrowth, and setting up irrigation or rainwater collection.
- Experimenting with small hydroponics or greenhouses to outsmart Mindo’s soggy weather for growing greens.
- Transplanting plants and cultivating bamboo strategically.
2. Building & Infrastructure
- Helping Zambrano with House #2 renovations (see photos below)
- Boosting water pressure for hot showers (a top priority!).
- Upgrading dry compost toilets and basic bathroom setups (another big one!).
- Crafting wooden or bamboo structures, like roof extensions or house renovations.
- Carving trails, steps, and ditches through thick forest.
3. Green Energy
- Tinkering with micro-hydro power (on a budget).
- Fine-tuning our solar setup with extra batteries.
4. Wildlife & Conservation – Research Volunteer Program
- Conduct biodiversity research (e.g., birdwatching, plant identification, reptile tracking) to support our conservation goals.
- Produce a deliverable, such as a species inventory for the Global Tree Assessment, an ecological report, or educational content (e.g., a birdwatching guide for ecotourism).
- If desiring to waive daily fee, contribute 5-10 hours/week to hands-on tasks like property and trail maintenance.
- Share your experience on social media or connect us with academic networks to raise awareness about our project.
- Managing wildlife cameras and sharing finds on platforms like iNaturalist.
5. General Upkeep
- Tidying dorms and shared spaces when we arrive with retreat of biology groups. Retreat groups come about 1x a month, but we are currently expanding efforts to bring research groups from universities in the US, Europe and elsewhere so in the future there may be more prep necessary for these groups’ arrival. Still to be determined, though.
Skills We Cherish
We especially value expertise in:
- Carpentry or natural building (bamboo and wood are our favorites).
- Permaculture planning and planting.
- Biology or ecology (think birdwatching, reptile tracking, or plant ID).
- Trail design and land stewardship.
- Renewable energy tinkering.
- Storytelling with words, photos, or video to share our journey.
Life Here: What to Expect
Living at Nuestra Tierra means embracing simplicity. You’ll rise with the birds, work alongside nature’s rhythms, and soak in the quiet magic of one of the planet’s most vibrant ecosystems. The tasks can be tough, but the payoff is profound—every effort helps preserve this forest and shapes our dream of a sustainable, creative village where humans and nature coexist.
If you’re pulled toward impactful work in a breathtaking setting, believe in the sanctity of the wild, and bring skills to share, we’d love to have you along for this journey!
Practical Details
We speak English and Spanish and require that applicants speak either intermediate English or intermediate Spanish to ensure clear expectations and communication.
Cost for Research Volunteers: $10-15/day to cover vegetarian meals and accommodations, waived if contributing 5-10 hours/week to hands-on tasks (e.g. trail and property maintenance). Skilled volunteers have meals covered as part of their 3-week minimum commitment.
Where You’ll Stay
- Until House #2 has been sufficiently renovated, you’ll stay in Casa Omashala: A cozy house with a dorm for 11-12, plus a big kitchen and dining area. It’s yours to use unless we’re hosting a retreat—then we’ll ask you to shift to House #2.
- House #2: Under renovation, soon to be our community hub and volunteer base. It’s got solar power and spotty internet (no internet at Casa Omashala), so you might prefer it overall. Check availability when applying!
Getting Around & Food
- Zambrano heads to town often and can arrange rides ($10 each way, at your expense).
- Weekly food runs are coordinated with him since shops aren’t nearby.
Connectivity
- Internet is scarce (we use a limited Starlink connection for essentials like WhatsApp). Digital nomads needing constant online access should not apply.
Pets
- We adore animals but prefer no pets. Dogs are okay if kept outside, quiet, and restrained to protect wildlife. We have noticed that when dogs are present, other animals avoid the area such as armadillos, guatusas and many birds.
Group Size
- We can only host between 2-3 volunteers at a time.
A Glimpse of Cultural Connection
Life here is quiet but rich. You’ll:
- Tune into the natural pulse of tropical Ecuador, free from digital noise.
- Team up with Zambrano, sharpening your Spanish (he’s part-time, so he’s not always around).
- Master local tools like the machete and learn about native fruits, wildlife, and healing plants.
It’s a solitary setup—town’s a 20-minute walk (or 7-minute ride on Alpha) plus a 40-minute drive (arrange ahead or hitchhike safely). For more bustle, Mindo’s tourist-friendly vibe awaits with food and fun.
Registration form
We can’t wait to welcome volunteers who share our passion for this wild, sacred land. Ready to dig in? Let’s make it happen!