Ecuador ama la vida! Join us in ECUADOR!
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The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is sponsoring an amazing trip to Ecuador from August 8-22, 2027! Experience “The Land of Four Worlds” as you explore the country that loves life from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. The cost for the fifteen-day trip is just $4,450 per person (not including airfare), and a portion of your trip is tax-deductible. 

The first informational meeting was held on October 22, 2025. You can view the recording below. Watch this space for future meetings!

A non-refundable trip deposit will be required to reserve your spots. Registration for the trip will open on November 17 on brlcva.org. For more information, call Emily Bender at (540) 985-0000 ext. 2 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Trip Leaders
Renee Godard
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Renee Godard, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies will be co-leading this trip.  Renee has been at Hollins University for thirty years and has led student trips to Ecuador every January for the last four years.  If you are interested in learning more about those trips, visit the Hollins in Ecuador website.
Alex Bentley
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Alex Bentley is a biologist from Salem, Virginia, specializing in herpetology and ecology. Six and a half years ago, Alex moved to Ecuador and took on the role of research coordinator at the Sumak Kawsay In Situ Foundation. In 2020, Alex and his wife, Dione Fiallos, founded their own research, education, and conservation organization, Waska Amazonía. Alex is a research associate at Ecuadorian National Institute of Biodiversity, the director of the CELS Research Network and collaborates with a number of national and international universities, collectives, institutes, and foundations. In recent years, Alex has published several field guides, a new snake and Vanilla species, and various other articles. His vision and mission in life are to innovate in comprehensive projects connecting research, education, sustainable practices, and conservation.
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Recording of 10/22 informational meeting.