The Chocó is one of the most vulnerable and biodiverse ecosystems in Ecuador, with less than 2% of the original vegetation remaining and the fastest deforestation rate in the country. Rainforest Trust and partner Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco seek $3,658,740 to expand Canandé Reserve by 8,547 acres.

Previous strategic purchases secured the most important properties, preventing industrial logging in the area. The partner is also working towards establishing a buffer zone to the governmental Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve. A logging company has offered to sell its properties to Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco, which will secure the lowland forest patch for conservation. Expanding our current work in the Chocó would strengthen the security of the reserve and Rainforest Trust’s history of investment in this area. By blocking development in the buffer area, our partner can ensure that this part of the Reserve remains remote and shielded from development efforts. In addition to the land purchase, the partner is seeking to register Canandé Reserve in the National System of Protected Areas.

The Ecuadorean Chocó still lacks effective governance, with forests being cleared rapidly despite low economic yield in timber products.

Large-scale logging companies are able to exploit weak governance. Road development projects promote colonization of the area with immigrants who have limited knowledge of agroeconomies. They typically over-exploit the areas in which they settle, leading to diminishing revenues over time. Once the soil is depleted, colonization and forest clearance spreads to other areas of intact forest.

Rainforest Trust and local partner Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco seek $3,658,740 to support Canandé Reserve’s 8,547-acre expansion and management.

The strategic purchase of 30 critical properties will close a significant gap in the conservation landscape that will prevent industrial logging in the area and establish a buffer zone adjacent to the governmental Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve.