Results
Hacienda Tranquila is a small volunteer supported organization located on 121 acres of ranch land in the highlands of San Cristobal Island, GalapagosYears
Countries
Children Helped
Hectares Reforested
During our 15 years of experience, we have partnered with the local communities and a diverse group of organizations. These include various Ecuadorian government institutions such as the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Tourism, and Health. In addition, we work with the Galapagos National Park Service, the municipal government of the Galapagos, the University of San Fransisco, Quito, and various NGO’s.
We are also the only project which is working with the prestigious Galapagos Science Center. In 2010 Hacienda Tranquila won the Nat Geo Geotourism Challenge muchbetteradventures.com award. In 2012, out of a field of over four hundred volunteer projects, Hacienda Tranquila won the Outstanding Volunteer Project Award from the Global Youth Travel Awards organization. Our unique approach to socio-environmental improvement and learning continues to receive accolades internationally. Our progressive approach to improving the quality of cattle on the islands, through artificial insemination, and embryo transplants, has garnered top prizes every year at the St. Cristobal Cattle Fair since its inception in 2014. In recognition of his outstanding work, our General Manager, Geovanny Sarigu, became the first person from the Galapagos Islands to be invited to join the National Cattle Association of Ecuador.
Our multidimensional approach has produced quantifiable and concrete results.
Reforestation and carbon sequestration.
In three different areas of the island, Hacienda Tranquila staff and volunteers have planted over 6,500 trees, with the majority being at-risk endemic trees; specifically two species, Manzanillo and Matarazarno. These two species are especially efficient in capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Of the total, 5000 are Manzanillo and 1500 are Matazarno. Each Manzanillo tree captures 470 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and each Matarzarno tree captures 148 kilograms of CO2 a year, thus helping to capture thousands of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year. We are doing everything we can to help restore native and endemic forests, hoping to contribute to the natural harmony and tranquility of the island. In addition, we have created a nursery of trees, plants and vegetables for consumption by our volunteers and staff. The excess is distributed to schools and farmers of our community.
Agriculture
Our multidimensional approach has produced quantifiable and concrete results.
Children
Our first initiative, and the only one of its kind in the Galapagos, is our hippotherapy program for children. These horseback therapies and activities have had meaningful and positive impact on the quality of life of hundreds of disadvantaged and disabled children.
Community water access
Local staff and volunteers worked for over one year to bury eight kilometers of pipe along rough terrain to supply water for the community. This water is vital to personal hygiene and the agriculture of the community.
Each year, the local workers and international volunteers that comprise Hacienda Tranquila strive to accomplish better conservation work, and to contribute to improving sustainable development of this fragile environment. Over the years we have added rooms, shower facilities, and bathrooms so that we are now able to accommodate comfortably a total of twenty one volunteers.
We continue to expand our outreach, and improve our environmental accomplishments, and contribute to increased green growth. Our multidimensional approach includes restoring endemic forests, protecting vulnerable farm land from invasive species, providing the community with improved access to water, conducting therapy, expanding education, and fostering an intercultural exchange of ideas, values and love for our planet. All of this in addition to the positive and life changing experiences that our participants describe in their parting comments.
More information
contact us
E-mail: info@haciendatranquila.org
Site: https://haciendatranquila.org
WhatsApp:+593 98 940 0488