On June 4th, Jocotoco, led by US Director Jajean Rose, and our new global partner, TUMI, hosted an event in New York City to spotlight the urgent need to protect Ecuadors most threatened biodiversity.
In the Chocó, life flourishes in the most breathtaking way. Rain is nearly constant, and towering trees along with multicolored orchids give shape to a forest teeming with jaguars, pumas, jaguarundis, monkeys, and the remarkable glass frogs, so translucent, you can see right through to their insides. With these words, Robinson Chaquinga, once our youngest ever park ranger and now head of the nursery at the Canandé Reserve in the rainforests of the Chocó, welcomes us into the place he calls home. Born in the small community of Puerto Nuevo, just a few kilometers from the reserve, Robinson sees the Chocó not just as his birthplace, but as a vital part of who he is a deep, living connection rooted in his heart.
Beneath the ocean's surface lies a vibrant world that we rarely get to experience: coral reefs. These intricate living structures, slowly built over time by tiny corals, are not only breathtaking, they are essential to marine life. Coral reefs are home to a quarter of all known marine species. From small mollusks and crustaceans to colorful fish, lobsters, sea turtles, and sharks, countless creatures depend on these habitats for survival. Reefs also act as natural barriers, protecting coastlines from erosion caused by waves and storms.
Our planet is at a tipping point. Forests are being cut, species are disappearing, and the natural systems that sustain us are under threat. But it's not too late. Nature can heal itself, if we give it the chance. At Jocotoco, we are protecting some of the most biodiverse places on Earth. By taking action, you restore the Earth's balance, safeguard life, and shape a future where both people and nature thrive.
