Nature Preserve Stewardship Couple in Ecuador

Stewardship Couple 2024: Las Tangaras Reserve, Mindo, Ecuador
Life Net Nature seeks a fit, mature in character, and responsible couple with a solid history of working and living together. We especially seek couples having combined backgrounds in: 1) field ornithology (ideally some tropical experience), 2) ecotourism and hospitality services, 3) guiding or nature interpretation, 4) bio-regional living including organic gardening, solar equipment, and composting, 5) wilderness and leave-no-trace camping ethics, 6) carpentry, plumbing, and small motors, 7) small business operations and basic accounting, 😎 first aid training, 9) loads of common sense, and 10) a problem-solving and responsible attitude.

The couple lives at Reserva Las Tangaras for a 165-day contract (an Ecuadorian 90-day tourist Visa plus extension, with 2 weeks leeway at end). Reserva Las Tangaras (RLT) is a 51-hectare montane forest protected area located near the town of Mindo. It is a wilderness setting with mainly hike-in access. Endemic and endangered species are protected on the property with more than 350 bird species, spectacled bear, and white-fronted capuchin monkey. 

RLT receives bird-watchers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and tropical biology researchers and students. Entry, overnight, and guided tour fees sustain the reserve, and support the couple’s monthly stipend. New stewards overlap with out-going stewards for 3 days of training. 

Contract dates:

June 11 to November 22, 2024 

Qualifications: Both applicants must speak and write well in English. Both applicants must understand Spanish, and one must have intermediate to advanced skills in Spanish. One person must have an undergraduate degree in a topic related to the position: ecology, field biology, ecotourism, natural resources management, conservation biology, etc.). 

Duties: 

1. Collect scientific data on weather and hummingbirds (daily), Andean Cock-of-the Rock and Club-winged Manakin leks (weekly), two thrush species (opportunistically), camera trapping (optional), and species lists of mammals, birds, and herptiles (monthly), and natural history notes on birds (opportunistically). 

2. Host international and local nature-oriented guests and visitors. Keep tidy research station/guest cabin, prepare and sell meals to guests (proceeds from food and drink sales retained by stewards). 

3. Keep financial records, set realistic goals and complete management tasks including all communications, reservations via phone & online, and submitt a monthly report to Life Net Nature.

4. Maintain the water system, entrance bridge, and trails. 

5. Improve trails and signage from main road and throughout the reserve. 

6. Have your own laptop(s) and be skilled with blogging on Wordpress, social media (Facebook & Instagram), use of Word and Excel for monthly report that includes science data, accounting, updated inventories, overview of work. Send email thank you notes to guests, contribute bird lists to eBird, and more. 

Compensation: Stipend is $400/month/couple. Stewards earn additional income by offering food and beverages and guide services to guests. Food and beverage income is 100% retained by the stewards. Contract is during peak tourism season. 

To Apply:

As one PDF document send 1) a joint cover letter expressing interest and qualifications of each person, 2) a professional resume (CV) for each applicant, and 3) three references per applicant with email & phone contact info. Email application materials to Dr. Dusti Becker at dustizuni@yahoo.com.  If selected for an interview, Dr. Becker will contact you.