As mentioned above, this is a multi-activity project. There are many different projects and types of projects on the go at the same time, but you will also be guided and encouraged to work on your own projects as well. "When I arrived, all the volunteers were working on their own projects and they took great pride in showing me what they were doing. They all felt their efforts were benefiting the local community." (Paul White) The degree to which you'll run or assist on such projects will depend upon your abilities. Below are some examples of the types of activities that are carried out at the Centre:

Mammal studies:

• An platform observation point deep within the jungle, off the trail, enables volunteers to spend the night watching for mammals visiting a mammal claylick (or collpa).
• The huge range of mammals living around the main camp and in and off the trails makes it possible to observe directly and indirectly the actitvities of different types of monkeys, tapirs, peccaries, armadillos, pumas and more.
• If you want to focus on a particular animal, gather prints and set up an observation point the staff will be more than happy to share their local knowledge with you and help you create your own unique field guide.

Bird Studies:

• The project has one of the only clay-licks (or collpas) in South America visited by the rare and endangered Blue Headed Macaw as well as many other species of large macaws, parrots and parakeets.
• Population surveys are carried out recording what you see and hear on our daily afternoon parrot census walks in the jungle.
• Your ability to identify species is enhanced by the use of recordings played to you in training as well as in the field practice. Due to the large number of species, volunteers assist the project coordinator with observation on the parrot census and at the collpa, by watching the sky and listening for birds with the coordinator, who will test you regularly to improve your knowledge!
• The Blue Headed Macaw project links to a series of wider studies being undertaken across the neotropics into the nesting, mating and feeding habits of endanger.
• Data inputting enables us to eventually analyse our findings and compare them longitudinally and geographically with other research stations.

• Hummingbird feeding project. Construction of a ‘garden’ of different coloured hummingbird feeders (plastic bottles filled with sugary water), to try and associate species with different coloured plants.

• Weekly all-day expeditions as part of the Biomass study to collect seeds, leaves and fruits from traps set deep inside the forest, to clean and maintain the traps fortnightly, to photograph changes in the canopy structure over time and to take part in Fenology surveys. (Fenology studies involve studying the patterns of fruiting, seeding, flowering and foliage to ascertain the dynamics of samples of the rainforest)
• Sorting and recording the information collected from the traps and preparing for sending to Lima for analysis and eventual preparation of a unique and insightful report into the condition of this area of rainforest.
• Understanding the medicinal and other uses of different types of plants by different groups living locally including Harakmbut, Matsinguenga and Yine by working with staff on the trails and in the medicinal plant garden, also by testing local remedies for everything from an upset stomach to rheumatism!
• Data inputting enables us to share our findings and contribute to greater knowledge of the rainforest globally.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ACTION
The centre has a range of ongoing sustainable development projects designed to test out new ideas and technologies for the Amazonian rainforest environment. These might include testing a new type of weather monitoring station, creating a waste water management system from natural materials, assessing best methods for monitoring the river flow and its impact locally on fauna and flora or conducting workshops with local people on alternative energy sources. Volunteers can get involved at every level and become a part of the change in the reserve.

Cutting paths to form new ‘arrays’ for surveying the jungle is one example of science and development coming together. Arrays are large grids (each path is around 1 km long). They are the trails that the observers use when recording wildlife, plantlife and all forms of biodiversity, changes in climate and when conducting other specific scientific explorations. For mapping the paths and arrays volunteers go out with GPS units and use the information to draw maps of the area. Two examples of these arrays are plots currently being used by Oxford University to assess the carbon sequestration capacity of different types of Amazonian rainforest.

The Centre is keen to develop sustainable practices on the site and then, where successful, introduce these to the local population. One volunteer has set up a compost system and taught the staff to use it to make compost from the kitchen waste. This has tied in nicely with another volunteer's work to plant a garden on the site outside the accommodation buildings, (where the soil is particularly poor). Fruit and vegetables are flourishing in our onsite Biogarden which serves as a useful model locally particularly as anything brought in from the town tends to rot fairly quickly in this environment.

As you can see, there is a lot of scope here to develop new ideas and/or projects. This is a placement where you can really make a difference, particularly if you have initiative.

During the day there are activities such as swimming in the river, though you can only swim if supervised and depending on river condition, it rises and falls very rapidly! Some of the staff are trained in climbing and may be persuaded to teach you how to access the canopy (climbing trees using ropes). Some scientists use this method in their work when studying birds or trees. It is safe (when under instruction) but can be difficult.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Since 2006 the project has been working with local families and communities to change land management and improve livelihoods. Providing new models for sustainable agriculture and agro-forestry strategies that can be implemented by local people wither in their back yard or in abandoned agricultural land. Volunteers are essential in helping build infrastructure and source the bio garden materials as well as providing the monitoring and evaluation with local families.

• Collection and preparation of building material

• Construction of irrigation and roofing systems

• Seed germination, planting and monitoring

• Production control and quality assessment

Volunteer involvement in these projects is an important morale booster for local people living in often difficult conditions.

• The Ecology Club works with children from the local area who range in age from 8 to 18 years and, lead by their inspirational professor Fabien Julian, undertake environmental education activities in the local area and sometimes at the centre where it might involve walking the Interpretative Trail with its informative signs on flora, fauna and activities at each point or a discussion on climate change and how it will affect the local area.

• Many local children and adults aren't aware of the importance of the rainforest globally. Volunteers can share their perspective and take part in cultural exchanges, making teaching materials, videos and conducting lessons at local schools to show that the rest of the world sees their homeland as very important and worth protecting!

• If you can provide any English language tuition and practice for the staff at the centre who live locally, this would be very much appreciated. They are very keen and are happy to attend classes, do homework, etc. (Incidentally, there are also many opportunities for you to practice and improve your Spanish - or to start learning it from scratch!)

RESERVE BACKGROUND:
The Project takes place at a research centre in a large reserve located in the corner of Peru. It consists of various types of rainforest (The Amazon) and is rich in diversity. The importance of the Reserve was recognised in 1987 when it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It achieved this largely because of its renown as an area of abundant wildlife and high species biodiversity, many of which have not yet been documented.

The park is approximately the size of Wales (20,000 sq km). Some of the area is being opened up to limited ecotourism (and tourists pay up to US$300 per day to stay in the ecolodges!). The closest city is Cusco which is approximately 8 hours drive.

The Rainforest Centre that we work with lies within the Reserve near to a road and river. It is about 45 minutes drive from the nearest village. The design of the facility complements its surroundings using a fusion of traditional thatched techniques with modern design, while utilising the latest in natural resource management to maintain the site. As an added bonus, there is a waterfall that borders the site!

The trip from Cusco to the Centre:
You will arrive in Cusco, where you'll be met by members from the Project and taken on to the Centre. This journey is by road and takes from 9 to 10 hours. Almost the entire journey is along an unpaved road and the last few miles are very unmade indeed! For some of the way it is a typical Andean road along the side of a mountain but the road is relatively ‘quiet’ with maybe 6 -10 vehicles passing every hour.