GVI Amazon strives, through the use of trained volunteers, to record all species observed in the Yachana Reserve, a protected reserve of primary and secondary rainforest along the Napo River in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Following objectives outlined by its in-country partner, the Yachana Foundation, GVI Amazon volunteers and staff provide ongoing monitoring of biodiversity levels in the reserve; create and continually build the reserve´s species list, adding value to Yachana Foundation's ecotourism program as well as increasing Ecuador's knowledge base on upper Amazon species; and provide English, science and environmental education to Yachana students and local elementary schools. The project focuses on amphibians and reptiles, butterflies, birds and mammals, using a variety of field techniques. Volunteers are trained in these techniques, as well as basic ecological principles, details on each taxon studied, and identification skills. Results are shared with Yachana Foundation, the Ecuadorian Museum of Natural Sciences, the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment and both national and international species databases. menos ↑