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The 3,000 hectares Bilsa Biological Station is located in north western coastal Ecuador. The reserve is located in one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots, and is a rare area of pristine forest in the region. Bilsa is the most remote of the reserves; the last leg of the journey from Quito to Bilsa requires a 12 kilometre donkey ride. It is also the reserve where you will encounter the most wildlife; more than 15 troops of Howler Monkeys inhabit the reserve, while there are also many different bird and plant species.

The reserve conserves a critical remnant of Ecuador's coastal premontane wet forest, of which less than one percent remains. Located in the Mache Mountains in the north western coastal province of Esmeraldas, this remnant forest has a unique composition of flora and fauna, internationally renowned for both its diversity and rarity. The region's rugged topography (300 to 800 meters) and the coastal climate create a dense fog which shrouds all of Bilsa's steeper ridges. Recent studies within the Bilsa Biological Station have shown that with the additional moisture received from abundant fog drip, the area receives more than 3000mm of precipitation a year. Characteristically, the region undergoes a long, warm rainy season from January to August, with a cooler, drier season usually taking place from September to December. Conditions at the reserve in the wet season can be rigorous between January and June. Plant community composition and structure changes greatly with successive altitude zones from valley floors to hilltops.

Rare animals found at the reserve include the jaguar, several small cat species, the Long Wattled Umbrella Bird, the Giant Anteater and abundant populations of the threatened Mantled Howler Monkey. Through an in-depth botanical inventory being conducted by Ecuador's National Herbarium, over 2000 different plant species have been documented. Thirty of these species are completely new to science. The Long Wattled Umbrella Bird is rare or completely absent from the majority of its range where forest has been cut, but is extremely abundant in the Bilsa Biological Reserve.

For almost four years scientists have been conducting research at Bilsa. Up until now they have been focused on birds: the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, the Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and the Pale-mandibled Aracari. In the past two years they have been mist netting smaller birds in three different kinds of habitats and will be continuing this study for several years to come. In the future they are looking to expand their research to amphibians, reptiles, insects and bats. The scientists spend about 17-20 days a month at the reserve and during that period it is possible for volunteers to assist and learn from them.

Accommodation

There are bunk beds in every room, but during quiet times of the year you will probably have your own room. There are two larger rooms suitable for couples. There is a generator that runs sometimes, enabling people to charge cameras etc, but there is no electricity in the rooms. According to previous volunteers, the toilet is a sophisticated hole in the ground with very pleasant views.

Volunteer Activities

Mondays and Thursdays are personal project days. Tuesdays and Fridays are reforestation and maintenance days. Wednesdays and Saturdays are hiking days.

Free Time

During your spare time at Bilsa, you can sleep in the "casa de hammacas", or play table tennis. There is a timy hamlet of houses twenty minutes away, where you can go to the local bar or play football with the locals.

Number of Volunteers

The Bilsa reserve can hold up to 15 volunteers at any one time.

Spanish Requirements

The Ecuadorians at Bilsa (approximately 8 people) speak almost no English so it is good to have a basic knowledge of Spanish. However, they are all extremely patient and want to help you learn, so don't worry if you don't think you know enough.

To apply for this program, click here.

To return to the reserves page, click here.