Watershed Management Internship, Fall 2103, Ecuador

A watershed management internship is available inEcuadorin CRACYP’s “green progress” projects in the subtropical foothills of the Andes, focusing mostly on rural communities working with organic agriculture and fair trade. 

CRACYP (which stands for Rural Reforestation and Progress Network Corporation, in Spanish) is a non profit organization working in over 200 communities on the borders of the Cotopaxi, Bolivar and Los Rios provinces inEcuador.  CRACYP’s aim is "Progreso Verde" or "Green Progress" - conservation of the environment and economic and social development of local communities.  We aim to transfer appropriate technology and sustainable alternative agricultural methods, in exchange for community participation in reforestation.  This process also increases the production alternatives and resources of the communities involved, improving their quality of life.  

Integrated watershed management has to potential to improve soil and water quality, while also benefiting local communities.

We need an intern with appropriate studies/experience to create a watershed management plan for the area. Work has been done on agroforestry, water resources, and mapping in the area, and you will integrate some of these results into a holistic plan for improving watersheds. You will likely focus on a specific watershed as a pilot project, and hold workshops in the community to determine “quick wins” for improved ecological functioning. You will assess the various goals of the communities (such as commodity crop production) and provide recommendations of how to improve soil and water quality.

We are looking an intern for fall of 2013 starting around early September running until early to mid December. This is a good opportunity for students seeking a semester abroad experience to immerse themselves in rural Ecuadorean culture. The project will involve nearly constant work with local communities and thus is a great opportunity to improve Spanish language skills.

Download an intern information pack and the watershed planning internship information sheet from:  www.progresoverde.org/internship.html or email internship.ecuador@yahoo.co.uk.  Please quote reference SDWsdMay13 when you apply.