Ecuador

Ecuador is so much more than being just the gateway to the Galapagos. It is a country rich in diversity offering a range of exotic attractions worthy of a country double its size, and is steeped in history.  Wild life and tropical birds abound from the coast, to the rainforest and up to the rugged mountain terrain.  The country lays claim to numerous volcanoes and the trekking there is out of this world. The capital, Quito was one of the first Cultural Heritage Sights declared by UNESCO and can boast ownership of the largest preserved and least altered historic center in the whole of Latin America. 

Yachana & Santa Lucia

We believe the future of the rainforest is inextricably linked to the well-being of its inhabitants; only those who call the rainforest their home can ensure its survival. The Ecuadorian projects are based within Rainforest Concern’s “Choco-Andean Corridor Project” which aims to create corridors of conservation so that animals can migrate between different climate zones. On top of this, the project aims to assist the local communities by giving them the means to get involved in eco tourism as an alternative to deforestation for cattle farming.

Our teams in the past at the Yachana site have assisted in the creation marking and maintenance of 20km of trails, in the reforestation of depleted areas, and been involved in educative efforts to implement sustainable farming that will benefit both community and forest. They have also helped to develop the tourist infrastructure such as water systems, signage, example plantations and have built a traditional thatched “view point”.