Crees Expeditions
Website: www.crees-expeditions.com
Since 2004 CREES has been leading educational and adventure expeditions into the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Our work has discovered new species, contributed directly to local community livelihoods and increased the viability of the conservation of the area. Our in depth knowledge and great local contacts allow our expeditions to go off the beaten track to visit real Amazon villages and get to know its people, whilst white water rafting down river.
Our aims are:
Create an appreciation of physical and historical context:
Introduce volunteers to the very nature of the rainforest, the complexity and myriad of relationships between changing ecosystems and their inhabitants (Both human and non-human), the history of the Manu regions' development through time.
Provide the context & importance of sustainability:
Discuss and explain the role of sustainability as a concept in both Peru & volunteer home countries, in theoretical and practical examples. Ensure that volunteers understand our message of sustainability.
Teach the Basics:
Provide the volunteer the training and work with them to develop an appreciation of the skills needed to undertake CREES' work. Ensure that volunteers both understand the theory and have basic practical skills that will contribute to ongoing CREES projects in a real and valuable way.
Ensure Safety & Education:
Provide volunteers a safe and open environment, encouraging constructive criticism and open discussion. Challenge them to look after themselves and others, becoming community members and working towards a common CREES goal.
Get motivated and involved:
By the end of training the instructors should know who and what the volunteers will be best suited to do. They will need to help design and create structures that challenges volunteers to maximize their input and productivity within the rest of their stay.
Understanding the CREES way of thinking.
Instill in the volunteer a health curiosity with a profound respect for communal rules. Make them understand their role with CREES and how much WE (CREES) appreciate them.
Examples of our projects can be found below, volunteers are able to participate with each of these:
Conservation Research
Close to the Manu Learning Centre we have one of the most accessible monitoring sites for the Blue Headed Macaw in the Amazon Basin. Through daily monitoring of this mineral lick we are helping to preserve this habitat as well as collect species diversity and abundance data over time. We monitor the effects that tourists have on the species and create education and conservation resources to educate these tourists and locals about the species.
Communities & Livelihoods
Bio-Gardens
This agricultural/micro-enterprise initiative is designed to empower local communities with a sustainable source of income so they can take control of their own finances. Volunteers help with data collection and maintenance of our pilot biogarden at the MLC and will also be helping to develop biogardens in local communities.
Reforestation
We see ongoing reforestation efforts as key to achieving our long term objectives in the region. Reforestation helps prevents erosion, provides habitats for biodiversity, restores nutrient cycles to the soil and sequesters carbon - helping us towards our goal of operating as a carbon neutral organization. Together with the help of volunteers and local communities our reforestation project was able to plant 12,000 seedlings in 2008.
Education & Capacity Building
Ecology Club
Our volunteers actively engage in community capacity building in a variety of areas in order to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability. This includes teaching English to members of our Ecology Club, building and improving infrastructure of local schools and hosting computer classes for local people.
4 Day Amazon Expedition
Expeditions allow the volunteer to leave the working rhythm at the MLC and enjoy just being in the rainforest. Project work can take its toll on even the hearty volunteer, so heading down river for 4 days can transport the volunteer to another reality. Learning more about different ecosystems and people, volunteers also get to be like tourists having a unique private tour with experienced local guides showing off the rainforest' hidden gems.
The expedition involves:
- A full day's trek
- White water rafting.
- Inter cultural Exchange with local communities
- Camping out overnight
- A visit to a thermal hot spring
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply for this programme. You need to have a good working knowledge of either English or Spanish, be in good health and fit enough to participate in physical activity.
How long can I volunteer for?
You can volunteer with us for between 2 weeks and 8 months depending on when you apply.
How long do I need to book in advance?
Ideally volunteers should apply at least one month prior to their placement start date. Where possible we will try and accommodate later bookings.
What does a typical 4 week itinerary look like?
A typical four week itinerary includes the training programme - where we teach you about the rainforest, conservation safety, etc - several days contributing to our conservation, education and community projects and an adventure-filled four-day expedition into the deeper rainforest.
Summary:
* Expedition Days: 4
* Active Training Days: 9
* MLC Project Work Days: 9
* Community Project Work Days: 4
* Travel Days: 3
* Free Activity Days: 1
* Cusco Orientation Days: 1
* Total Days: 31
Current Positions Available:
Volunteer in Rainforest Conservation and Community Development Projects
Ever wanted to do something different?
Take a less traveled road and throw yourself into a meaningful adventure in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. Work alongside local communities and a team of experts in conservation and help ensure a sustainable future for the Amazon and its people
Full Details: [view]
Work Alongside Local Communities in Rainforest Conservation
Take a less traveled road and throw yourself into a meaningful adventure in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. Work alongside local communities and a team of experts in conservation and help ensure a sustainable future for the Amazon and its people
Full Details: [view]