Amazon Forest Conservation

🌎 Open to applicants worldwide. Participant-funded international internship. Trade the classroom for the forest and farm. Gain hands-on international experience in forest conservation and agroecology in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Based in Tena, Ecuador, this immersive internship gives students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals the opportunity to work alongside local farmers, Indigenous communities, and conservation/forest restauration practitioners on projects connecting healthy forests, sustainable/ regenerative agriculture, and community livelihoods. Rather than learning only from a classroom, you'll gain practical field experience while experiencing everyday life in an Amazonian community. Please note: This is a participant-funded international internship and experiential learning program, not a paid employment position. Beyond Travels facilitates the program and works with a close network of local partners.

What You'll Do
Depending on your placement and interests, you may:
• Support local farms and agroecological projects
• Learn about the Kichwa chakra, a traditional forest-garden system
• Participate in planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops
• Explore agroforestry and regenerative agriculture
• Support forest conservation and restoration activities
• Learn about Amazonian plants, ecosystems, and biodiversity
• Participate in community environmental initiatives
• Explore the connection between agriculture, conservation, and local livelihoods
• Work alongside farmers, Indigenous community members, and conservation practitioners What You'll Learn
• Agroecology and regenerative agriculture
• Agroforestry and sustainable food production
• Tropical forest conservation and restoration
• Amazonian ecosystems and biodiversity
• Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge
• Community-based conservation
• Sustainable development and rural livelihoods
• Cross-cultural communication and community engagement
• The relationship between food systems, forests, and community wellbeing Who This Program Is For This internship is a great fit for:
• Career changers interested in conservation and agroecology
• Recent graduates building experience for graduate school or careers in conservation
• Students studying environmental science, ecology, biology, agriculture, forestry, sustainability, or international development
• University students seeking international field experience
• Anyone interested in Indigenous knowledge, tropical ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, or community-based conservation
• Individuals in the corporate world exploring other experiences or paths Previous field experience is helpful but not required. We value curiosity, adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to learn. Spanish is beneficial but not required. Why Ecuador? The Ecuadorian Amazon is one of the world's most biodiverse regions and offers a unique setting to explore the relationship between people, forests, food systems, and traditional knowledge. You'll have the opportunity to learn directly from people working within these systems while gaining a deeper understanding of the environmental and social challenges facing tropical communities. Program Details 📍

Location:
Tena, Ecuador – Ecuadorian Amazon 🌱 Format: On-site, experiential internship 🏡 Accommodation: Local Indigenous host family 🍽️ Meals: Three meals per day 📅 Duration: 2 weeks minimum, 4+ weeks recommended 🌎 Applicants: Open to participants worldwide About Beyond Travels Beyond Travels creates immersive global learning experiences that connect people with local communities, traditional knowledge, and meaningful projects. Our programs are designed to help participants learn through experience, build practical skills, develop cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to positive local impact. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, we work alongside local farmers, Indigenous communities, organizations, and community initiatives to support sustainable livelihoods, traditional knowledge, and forest conservation.

How to Apply
Interested in gaining international experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon? Apply through LinkedIn or visit beyondtravels.org to learn more about the program, fees, and application process. When applying, be prepared to submit your CV and your preferred dates. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.