Jocotoco attended International Polylepis Congress
Fundación Jocotoco was part of the 5th International Polylepis Congress held at the Catholic University of Ecuador where experts from all over the world discussed the Polylepis forest. Polylepis forests are only found in the Andes; they support unique range of endemic species. These forests are highly threatened by habitat loss.
Efraín Cepeda, our Northern Reserves Director, presented our Polylepis reforestation project in Yanacocha supported by World Land Trust since 2007. Wilson, one of our Yanacocha parkguards, highlighted how 98% of our nursery plants are alive. This success is caused by knowledge acquired through years and a long-term maintenance plan.
Santiago Arroyo, Administrator of our Yanacocha Reserve, accompanied the participants on a day-trip to our reserve. Santiago was thrilled to learn about other projects having recovered Polylepis forests from threats, such as cattle and logging. He mentioned that Jocotoco was the only foundation that presented a project monitored for more than a decade.
We also participated in this Congress with a Jocotours stand where the attendees learned more about our projects and bought our books and pins, generating over 500$.
