Back to VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Amazon Location
What do we do?
The Omacha Foundation Centre in the Amazon region is located at Puerto Nariño and it counts with a laboratory where we classified and keep all the biological material for further research.
In this centre we also provide educational and informative campaigns to the communities, so we can generate a sense of belonging and care of their environment; especially for the aquatic fauna.
Since 1987, the Omacha Foundation has been making a continuous monitoring of threatened species such as river dolphins Inia goffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis, manatees Trichechus inunguis, otters Lontra longicaudis, Pteronura brasilensis, turtles Podocnemis expansa, P. unifilis, P. sextuberculata, Caymans Melanusuchus niger, Pirarucu Arapaima gigas among others, in search of their conservation.
©Fundación Omacha
Activities
Biological and ecological research program
You can participate by working on research related to population dynamics, habitat use and distribution, behavioral matters and reproduction of different flora and fauna species.
• Fresh water dolphins (Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana and Sotalia fluviatilis) you can get involved in census of the population and its social structure, behavioral evaluation, photo identification and sound recording. Establish use of habitats and abundance.
• Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), you could participate on studying ecological aspects of these species such as identification and monitoring of dens and getting data of their nutritional behavior by sampling latrines.
• Turtles (Podocnemis spp), involve yourself on gigant river turtle and nesting census, monitoring and protecting nesting beaches. Nests relocation, hatchery work and releasing newborns.
• Birds and insects, you can take part in bird’s characterization through direct observation of species and their sounds recording.
• Fauna inventories with emphasis in felines, contribute to our research projects by working on fauna samplings, setting up cameras trap, changing memory cards and reviewing captured images for fauna identification and supporting investigators on the field.
• Natural areas reforestation, be part of activities related to hatchery handling, collecting seeds and planting native species.
• Alligator and caimans (Melanosuchus niger y Caiman crocodilus), you could join this project by supporting the data gathering through night-time samplings, individuals identification, monitoring nesting areas and taking individuals measurements.
Productive projects and social support program
This program evaluates interactions between human communities, focal species and the environment. It includes preserving local traditions and ecological practices that benefit the natural environment. On the other hand this program supports sustainable projects in order to reduce negative impact on endangered species and promote economic alternatives in local communities. You can help by supporting the work with local indigenous communities such as Ticunas, Cocamas and Yaguasal on issues related with improving production of handicrafts, eco-tourism and fishing agreements.
Spreading and environmental education Program
This program runs all year long, it develops projects and campaigns as well as awareness and educational actions joined to the previous conservation and sustainable programs.
Accomodation
We offer a volunteer – staff house, our rooms are dorm style, located in Puerto Nariño, where volunteers can stay in a nice and comfortable environment. The food is basic and local (vegetarian, fall in sweeten or fats, or different diet options are available).
Back to VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
