Conservation Marketing & Social Media Volunteering in the Galapagos Islands
Care about conservation and want to raise awareness of important initiatives while volunteering in the Galapagos Islands? International Volunteer HQ’s Conservation Marketing & Social Media project is a unique opportunity for you to help promote the conservation and sustainable development activities being carried out on the ground in the Galapagos National Park. You’ll gain invaluable digital marketing and social media experience, while contributing towards worthy environmental causes that will ultimately help protect the fragile ecosystems in the Galapagos region.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Monday
- Affordable fees from $1420 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, orientation and 24/7 support
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Raise awareness of conservation in the Galapagos through marketing and social media
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Discover nature and wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth
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Stay in a local homestay or volunteer house in Puerto Villamil
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Social media is an important tool for sharing information to the world to help boost the conservation work taking place in the Galapagos as well as keeping past participants updated on the progress of work they have helped with. One objective of the project is to support, through actions on social networks, the sharing of information, promotion of protection, conservation and sustainable development activities managed and carried out by the local team and volunteers, as well as by their partners.
Additionally, our local team has partnered with the Galapagos Government Council to help strengthen small entrepreneurs and businesses locally. Some of the local organizations they work with include eco-tourism agencies, restaurants, farms, and small family businesses. In this capacity, volunteers will have the unique opportunity to support these local community members and businesses to generate content which allows their products and messages to have a greater reach within Ecuador, and further afield.
As a social media volunteer, you will be responsible for generating and creating content in images and video, as well as texts (blogs and online posts) that describe, share and add value to the presence of our projects, both locally and internationally. This project has a minimum duration requirement of 2 weeks.
Volunteer work duties may vary but generally include:
- Support the local team with the development of social medial content
- Take photos/record videos of activities
- Create informative and fun social media content using photos, videos, and appropriate captions and hashtags
- Implement, in collaboration with the local teams staff, a communication plan in social networks Due to the strict rules associated with what content can be published, you will not be able to use this content for personal use.
Please remember, you will need to bring your own gear (computer, camera, software, etc.) to use on this project. But it’s important to note, the local team will not be responsible if any damage is sustained to these items while on the project.
Why do Conservation Marketing & Social Media volunteering in the Galapagos Islands with IVHQ?
As a Conservation Marketing & Social Media volunteer in Galapagos, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Raising awareness of conservation initiatives in the Galapagos
- Practicing your Spanish and communication skills
- Gaining digital marketing and social media experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the local culture
- Discovering the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this project independently. If you are under the age of 18 IVHQ offers alternative volunteer projects in Galapagos as well as other opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
To join the Social Media project you must also have technical skills, qualifications or experience in generating and creating content in images and video, as well as texts (blogs and online posts), or related fields. The office has a laptop you may use but it does not have editing software and if this will be something you need, it’s best to bring your own equipment including laptop, design software (Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent) and/or camera equipment. It is also important that volunteers are aware that any content created is for the exclusive use of the Galapagos National Park (and partners) and cannot be shared by the volunteer on their own platforms. The Galapagos National Park is very strict on what photos/videos can be taken within the park, how the media content is used, and the use of media taken within the park for monetary gain is strictly prohibited.
All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check to IVHQ.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Academic course credit
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Location
The IVHQ Galapagos volunteer program is based in Puerto Villamil, a small port village located on the southeastern edge of Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands. This is where orientation and general administration is carried out by our local team. Volunteer placements are located within walking distance around Puerto Villamil with the exception of the Sustainable Agriculture project, which is a 30 minute bus ride outside the village to the highlands.
Arrival and orientation
The Galapagos volunteer program begins every Monday and you need to arrive on Isabela Island on your Monday chosen start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your travel into Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island. From here you can either catch a ferry boat to Isabela Island (this ferry trip is included in your program fee) or take an island hopper plane from Baltra Island to Isabela Island with EMETEBE airlines (this flight is not included in your program fee).
Most volunteers arrive in mainland Ecuador on Sunday and spend this night in either Quito or Guayaquil. On Monday they then travel from mainland to Baltra Island, and then onward to Isabela Island. When you arrive on Isabela Island you will need to walk a few minutes up from the pier to the ABG (Biosecurity Agency) office where you will be met by a member of the local team who will transfer you to your accommodation (also included in your program fee) and then have a small town tour. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and begins from your Monday arrival through the morning of your last Sunday.
On Tuesday, orientation is hosted by our local team in Galapagos and runs for half a day, after which you will be taken to your placement. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Galapagos – Introduction to Galapagos, Galapagos Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Travel Opportunities in Galapagos, Introduction to your Project and Placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific placement and the current needs of your project. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation and walk to project (except for Sustainable Agriculture volunteers). |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 PM | Finish up at the placement and head home to clean up and relax. |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at one of the participating restaurants in town. |
| 2.00 PM | Volunteers have the afternoon free to explore the island, do some local snorkeling or take a surf lesson. Alternatively, if previously discussed with local placement staff, return to the placement to volunteer an afternoon shift. |
| 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Dinner with your homestay family or at one of the restaurants in town. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Isabela Island and other Galapagos islands such as the nearby Santa Cruz.
There is a dive site with great diving from Isabela, hike active Volcano Sierra Negra, snorkel site Tuneles and see the lava tunnels, visit islet Tintoreras, snorkel local dive spot Concha de Perla with turtles, seals, rays, etc., kayak the bay, rent a bike and visit the ‘Wall of Tears’ along the stunning coastal route passing lagoons, mangroves, and giant tortoises in the wild.
Accommodation and WiFi
Most volunteers will be accommodated in a homestay with a local family, but there is also the option of a small volunteer house. Volunteers can expect to share a twin room with one other volunteer or have their own private room; each bedroom has its own bathroom. In the volunteer house there is a cleaner that comes a couple of times every week, but volunteers need to be responsible for keeping the shared house and communal spaces clean and tidy.
Once registered if volunteers would like to be accommodated in the volunteer house please let your Program Manager know as this is subject to availability.
Isabela Island is very remote and it is important that volunteers are aware that internet reception is very spotty. There is WiFi in the office and in a few restaurants/cafes in town. Visitors cannot purchase a SIM card in Galapagos, only residents. Volunteers can purchase a SIM card on the mainland before traveling to the island, or use an international phone plan that covers them abroad. The Internet is too poor to expect to watch Netflix or have video calls while on the island.
Meals
The meals provided vary depending on the accommodation type you are placed in. Volunteers in a homestay are provided with three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Breakfast and dinner are provided at the homestay and volunteers can expect fresh fruit, fried eggs, bread and cooked green plantains. Lunch is provided at local associated restaurants and volunteers will have a variety of menu items to choose from. Lunch and dinner meals will include protein (meat, fish), rice and some veggies (varied depending on the season) and meals often start with a soup and include a natural drink.
For those who choose to stay in the volunteer house, breakfast is not included so volunteers are responsible for providing their own breakfast and can do this using the fully equipped kitchen. Both lunch and dinner is provided at local associated restaurants and volunteers will have a variety of menu items to choose from. Lunch and dinner meals will include protein (meat, fish), rice and some veggies (varied depending on the season) and meals often start with a soup and include a natural drink.
There is filtered water available in the local teams office, volunteer house and in homestays and volunteers are requested to bring a reusable water bottle with them.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please make a note on your application so arrangements can be made. However, it is important that volunteers should not expect to eat as they normally do at home.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,420 Equivalent to $101/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,940 Equivalent to $92/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,460 Equivalent to $88/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,980 Equivalent to $85/day |
| 6 weeks | $3,500 Equivalent to $83/day |
| 8 weeks | $4,540 Equivalent to $81/day |
| 10 weeks | $5,580 Equivalent to $80/day |
| 12 weeks | $6,620 Equivalent to $79/day |
Check what's required to visit the Galapagos Islands
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Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal |
| Population | 2,500 on Isabela Island and 33,042 across the Galapagos Islands |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Time zone | UTC-06:00 |
Weather and climate: Galapagos can be divided into three Climatic regions. The Pannonian Plains in the north have a continental climate of cold winters and hot summers, the mountainous Dinara Region in Central Galapagos has an alpine climate and the Adriatic coast, where our volunteer program is based, enjoys a Mediterranean climate of cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
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