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Volunteers

Every year since 1971 we have welcomed and trained volunteers from all over the world who are committed to the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. Volunteers are a vital part of what makes the Charles Darwin Foundation such a special place to be.

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Volunteers

Make a lasting impact with us

Volunteers may be local, national or international, students, professionals or retirees. The more diverse our volunteering team, the more we believe we can learn from one another.

Check out our application process and open opportunities below.

OPEN POSITIONS

VolunteerSHIP in Natural History Collections

Deadline: Open throughout the year

We invite you to apply for this volunteer position with our Natural History Collections. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the study of Galápagos biodiversity and the preservation of our collections, while working alongside a team commited to the research of native and endemic species. You will gain first-hand experience with the work carried out at the Charles Darwin Foundation, contributing to the knowledge and conservation of the biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands
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VolunteerSHIP in Data Management – Galápagos Verde 2050

Deadline: Until the position is duly filled

Galápagos Verde 2050 (GV2050) is a program led by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), focused on terrestrial ecological restoration in urban, rural, and protected areas of the archipelago. GV2050 has been running since 2014 as an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional effort, marking a milestone in ecological restoration in Galápagos.
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VolunteerSHIP in Botany – Galápagos Verde 2050

Deadline: Until the position is duly filled

Galápagos Verde 2050 (GV2050) is a program led by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), focused on terrestrial ecological restoration in urban, rural, and protected areas of the archipelago. GV2050 has been running since 2014 as an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional effort, marking a milestone in ecological restoration in Galápagos.
Learn more

VolunteerSHIP in Conservation of Terrestrial Birds

Deadline: November 14, 2025

The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) have been developing a research plan on the ecology and status of Galápagos land birds and identifying factors that affect their conservation since 2014. The project works closely with national and international scientific institutions, as well as with the Philornis Project, the Mangrove Finch Project, and the Galápagos Highlands Restoration Project, all of which contribute to the management and conservation of Galápagos ecosystems.
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FAQ

1. What is the minimum age and minimum educational requirement for volunteers?

You must be 18 years or older and must have completed high school to volunteer.

2. What is the minimum time I can volunteer?

We generally recommend a minimum of 3 months.

3. How long can I volunteer for?

Ecuadorian nationals and local residents: maximum 6 months for professionals and students. If you are retired, there is no limit.

Internationals: one year, renewable.

4. Does CDF cover food, accommodation and other expenses?

The Charles Darwin Foundation covers food and accommodation expenses for national and local volunteers, depending on the budget of the project or department.

International volunteers must cover their own expenses.

5. Do I need to have health and life insurance?

Yes. We require all foreigners to have health and life insurance.

6. Can I apply to volunteer even if there is no position open at the moment?

Due to high demand, we prioritize volunteer applications that respond to an immediate open position advertised on the site. Only exceptionally do we accept people who write letters of interest.

7. How can I submit my application?

If you are interested in applying for one of the positions advertised on this page, please fill out the application form. We accept applications in English and Spanish.

If you have any questions or require more information, please reach out to our Volunteer Program office at vol@fcdarwin.org.ec or call us at +593 (0)5526-146 or +593 (0)527-013/014, extension 338.

To apply, click the button and fill out the form

Apply now

Contact us!

If you have any questions or require more information, please reach out to our Volunteer Program office at vol@fcdarwin.org.ec or call us at +593 (0)5526-146 or +593 (0)527-013/014, extension 338.