Rainforest Trust has provided nearly $225,000 to Ecuador’s Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco for their core institutional costs and protected area management. Our longest running partner, Jocotoco was founded to protect birds and the biodiversity on which they rely through the purchase of land and creation of nature reserves. The reserve staff at the majority of Jocotoco’s 13 reserves will be supported by Rainforest Trust.

Protecting and enhancing reserves requires the commitment of Rainforest Trust Guardians, Conservation Fellows and partner staff working in the field. In providing funds for institutional operations, Jocotoco’s reserves are more likely to thrive in perpetuity.

The sustainable support we awarded our partner this spring will fund over 30 local jobs, because Rainforest Trust is committed to engaging communities in conservation efforts. We recognize this is the only way ecological and institutional sustainability can be achieved.

“We are very grateful for the strong and long-term support of Rainforest Trust,” said Martin Schaefer, CEO of Fundación Jocotoco. “Without this contribution we would not have been able to protect Ecuador’s most threatened fauna and flora.”

Most recently, Rainforest Trust supported Jocotoco in the establishment of the Jocotoco Reserve on Galápagos. Success is already being reported in the new protected area, where Endangered Galápagos Petrel chicks have been documented. In addition to the nearly $225,000 in operational support to be used in the Galápagos and in Jocotoco reserves across Ecuador.

“We have worked with Jocotoco for over 20 years and know just how effective their conservation efforts in Ecuador are,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Paul Salaman. “This contribution will strengthen protection and long term sustainability of some of the most important sites for wildlife in Latin America.” 

 

Header image: The Endangered Jocotoco Antpitta, the foundation’s emblematic bird. Photo by Patty McGann.