The End of an Era

After over 6 years of intensive research and community development work in and around the Yachana Reserve, GVI Amazon is coming to a close. We have finished our final research project (look forward to our Road Effects paper, coming soon!) and are handing over the project to our partner, The Yachana Foundation. They will continue to maintain and monitor the reserve, using it as an hands-on science education center for students -- we're very excited to see what fabulous things this next generation of scientists find! For more detail on GVI Amazon's closure, and our accomplishments over the years, please read on...
GVI Amazon Closure Statement

Monday, June 11, 2012

GVI Amazon -- what's the big deal?!


GVI Amazon has been more than a memorable experience. The Amazon faces challenges every day but thanks to places like GVI Amazon base camp, volunteers are able to contribute to valuable scientific research. The research conducted by us as volunteers acts as a catalyst ensuring conservation is at the forefront of everybody’s minds as we move into the new year. Being here has allowed me to experience first-hand, the issues that face the rainforest. It takes on a whole new significance that you do not feel when simply reading about it in a magazine or viewing the scenery through a documentary. It is more than just our contribution to research. The leaders here are knowledgeable and passionate and not afraid to have fun which makes for an inspirational and enjoyable atmosphere. The activities cater for many appetites. A personal favourite is the Night Walk. I won’t give too much away but I will say that you get to see the Amazon at its most active – adrenaline rush ensured!


Day to day life on base can be made up of anything from handling birds in the mornings, identifying butterflies, setting up mammal camera traps out in the field and teaching the local school children during the course of the day, and then surveying the amphibians and reptiles of the night. There is also time to relax, read a book and listen to music in a hammock or take a walk to the waterfall and treat yourself to an Amazonian mud mask!

Renee Flack, GVI Amazon volunteer, Jan-Feb 2012

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