OUR WORK
The incredible diversity of nature in Ecuador is disappearing rapidly. Together with you, we can save what's left, restore what we've lost, and connect it all together.
Ecuador is a Natural Gem
Ecuador is one of the ten most biodiverse countries in the world, and of those ten, it is by far the smallest. From high mountain peaks to lowland rainforests, along coastal plains, and into the deep ocean, every corner is home to an incredible diversity of life, more concentrated here than almost anywhere else on Earth. Many of those species of plants and animals are endemict - they dont exist anywhere else. Many more are yet to be described, still unknown to the outside world.
Ecuador has the sixth most Conservation Imperative sites in the world. These are places that are unprotected but harbor rare and threatened species (Dinerstein et al., 2023).
Nature is Facing a Crisis
Ecuador's biodiversity faces serious threats. On land, during the 20th century, Ecuador had the highest deforestation rate of any country in South America. Logging, mining, and clearing land for cattle pastures continue. Even national parks and indigenous reserves face these threats from illegal incursions. In the oceans, overfishing - often from foreign countries entering Ecuador's waters illegally - degrades its marine life.
-
In the Pacific Ocean, we helped establish and create a management plan for the massive La Hermandad marine reserve, connecting the Galápagos with Cocos Island in Costa Rica.
-
We've planted over 1.7 million trees using 140 native species, restoring tropical forests.
-
In just 25 years, parts of our Canandé Reserve in the Chocó have transformed from barren pastures to lush forests.
Our conservation approach combines advanced science, global collaborations, cutting-edge technology, and strong community engagement.
VISION
-
Jocotoco strongly believes that nature has an intrinsic value, that wildlife has a right to exist with us. We act on our belief by creating protected areas and by supporting the conservation efforts of communities.
-
We also believe in people. It is our incredible community of people who inspire us and who achieve conservation successes.
-
We strive to provide opportunities for personal growth for everyone who works with us, and for the next generation of conservation heroes.
-
Our work is guided by treating others honestly, transparently, and fairly. We always strive for effectiveness and excellence.
Your visit directly supports our conservation programs and provides income to local communities.
Our solution: A Scientific and Community Approach
Science and Innovation
Science is fundamental to conservation success. We collaborate with researchers from across the globe, using state-of-the-art monitoring techniques, Artificial Intelligence, and groundbreaking technology every day.
Our goal: Regional Conservation
In each priority region, we aim to protect ecosystems across entire landscapes, creating corridors of protected areas that include our own reserves, national parks and other governmental protected areas, communal and indigenous reserves, and other private reserves. This allows wildlife to move across the landscape, as they once did.
Our five regional initiatives forge powerful alliances in:
Our Reserves
We now protect and manage a network of strategically located reserves covering more than 103,784 acres (42,000 ha), while we cooperatively manage an additional 188,000 acres (76,000 ha) of private and communal reserves. Learn more here
