Course Life
Biological Survey Techniques BTEC Course in Ecuador

Expedition members will spend the majority of your time working on the various scientific research projects; collecting and collating scientific data. You will also be involved in teaching English to local students and working on light construction projects. The initial couple of weeks will be hard, as you adapt to the change in environment and learn the different skills needed to do the research. Data will start to be used after the initial period to ensure that we are getting a correct representation of species. The expedition is in a remote location and so you will participate in first aid training and team-building activities. This training information must be thoroughly understood as the environment is challenging. It must be stressed that expedition members will not have the opportunity to be alone at any time in the forest as it is a harsh environment in which you can get lost very easily. Safety is paramount, so expedition members will be thoroughly trained and prepared for any eventuality, and will be tested on your skills on a continuous basis.

The days are long and begin early as you will rise at first light to take advantage of the early wildlife activity before working throughout the day and sometimes participating in night walks. We hope to incorporate several mini-expeditions, involving for example hiking through the forest to a satellite camp location where we will camp for a night or two. Be warned that you will get very hot and sweaty during the days activities so ensure you come prepared! In assisting in these tasks, you will have the opportunity to:

• Live in beautiful ,tropical rainforest inhabited by amazing animal and plant life
• Live and work with members from various indigenous and colonist communities, learning about the diversity of the rainforest and the culture of the people who have lived there for hundreds of years
• Learn about living on a rainforest expedition and the methods used to conduct a biodiversity research programme in a lowland rainforest environment. These will include the humane trapping and releasing of small mammals, bat netting, mist netting for birds, recording bird song for identification, conducting amphibian and reptile surveys, and going on mammal walks to identify the larger mammal species of the area
• Practice Spanish in a fun and natural way by preparing food for the whole group or spotting monkeys in the forest
• Canoe down jungle waterways, camping in the forest away from base camp (satellite camps) and catching your own dinner!
• Teach school-age children in a neighbouring village
• Experience the jungle and the river under the stars, spotting caiman and night monkeys – an experience you won’t forget!
• Relax back at camp, getting your volleyball skills up to scratch and chilling out in hammocks hung from trees and shelters
• Enjoy a well deserved rest and some local entertainment on Saturday nights!