Robinson Chaquinga: Restoring Life in the Forest That Raised Him

One of his most cherished childhood memories is the first time he saw howler monkeys in the wild. He was ten when his teacher sparked his curiosity with stories about the monkeys, their behavior, their diet, and their lives in the forest. Eager to see them for himself, he told his father, who mentioned he occasionally spotted them on his way to work at a nearby farm. So, every Friday, Robinson joined him in hopes of catching a glimpse. After three fruitless weeks, the fourth Friday brought magic: he finally saw three adult monkeys and a baby swinging through the trees. "So, do you believe they're real now?" his father asked with a proud smile. That moment became the start of his lifelong bond with the Chocó and its incredible biodiversity.

Years later, fate opened an unexpected door. A casual conversation with a customer at the credit union where Robinson worked led him to Jocotoco. Robinson applied for a position, traded his desk for the rainforest, and became a park ranger. Since then, he's devoted himself to protecting the Chocó's unique biodiversity. Today, he's a key figure in the reserve's reforestation and species recovery efforts, including rare magnolias like dixonni and canandeana. One of his proudest accomplishments has been successfully germinating seeds of Dracontium croatii, an endangered plant growing in Canandé. "We've developed our own methodology, and the results have been excellent. The seed mortality rate is only 12%," he says proudly. In fact, Robinson developed a methodology for growing Dracontium croatii that scientists from around the world had failed to unlock. 

But Robinson's impact extends far beyond the boundaries of the reserve. He has become a respected voice in his community, someone who listens, speaks up, and encourages a new way of understanding the forest. He brings his message to local schools, inspiring young minds to care for nature. "Some kids have told me they'd love to help protect the animals and plants when they grow up," he shares, moved by their words. Thanks in part to his outreach, attitudes are changing: hunting and logging have declined in the area, though challenges remain. At Jocotoco, we're working to support sustainable livelihoods through an integrated approach, improving cacao cultivation techniques, diversifying diets with underutilized native species, and reviving ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants.

Robinson's work has become a seed of transformation. He represents hundreds of people on the frontlines of conservation: boots on the ground, hearts in the mission, working so that life can continue to thrive in vital places like the Chocó. His story is a powerful reminder to honor those who care for, restore, and defend these ecosystems, which are essential to life on Earth. As Robinson puts it, "Protecting the Chocó means making sure future generations can also be amazed by the life still beating in our forest."

You can be part of this change. With your donation, you'll help empower people like Robinson and safeguard the Chocó rainforesta globally important ecosystem. Donate today and help sow the seeds of hope for tomorrow.