The tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot is the most biologically diverse region on earth with about 20,000 endemic plant and 75 endemic mammal species; of which 69 are endangered. It is also one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world due to rapid human population growth and high levels of deforestation.

The human population in La Esperanza suffers from severe poverty. Environmental problems such as localised climate changes, impoverishment of soils, landslides and growing scarcity of natural resources like wood and water are also increasingly noticeable in the area. For these reasons our reforestation project will be highly valuable for local people as well as the native flora and fauna. And indeed, the communities have requested our help in realizing reforestation and conservation work and we have secured permission from the local authorities. 

With a grant from Restore-UK we have been able to build four community-run native tree species nurseries and are working on a further two as well as other reforestation schemes. These include; enrichment planting of selectively logged forests with hardwood trees, creation of multiple use forest buffer zones, enrichment of pastures with legumes and other plants to improve lands, attract wildlife and reduce the need for clear cutting of new pastures by increasing the lifespan of existing pastures. Raising public awareness on the importance of reforestation will be done through workshops, lectures and poster presentations.

We are concentrating on native tree species which will benefit both human populations and wildlife such as; Cedro: Cedrela odorata, Guaba: Inga sp., Sangre de grado: Croton sp. Hispingo y muena:  Lauracia spp. Naranjo: Styloceras laurifolium and Sacha inchi: Plukenetia volubilis