Project
Recovering High Andean Forest Bird Habitats in Mindo and Cayambe-Coca

Project Area
This project seeks to restore native high Andean forests in Mindo and Cayambe-Coca Reserve, which are located in the north-west and north-east of Pichincha, Ecuador. Both reserves are considered Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), and critically important for the provision of water as well as the presence of threatened species such as the Andean bear and the critically endangered black-breasted puffleg. Tree types native to the area include Polylepis incana and pauta, along with other andean species such as: alder, poroton, pumamaqui, laurel, pusupato, and cedar. In each location, the forest is under strong pressure due to expansion of the agricultural frontier and continuous cutting and burning of vegetation for charcoal production. However, the creation of private and community protected areas shows promise in supporting conservation of the forest and threatened ecosystems in the region. In the IBA of Mindo, extensive andean forests are protected in private reserves such as Yanacocha, Verdecocha and Alaspungo; while in Cayambe-Coca the creation of the Ponce-Palugillo Water Protection Area (the first of its kind in Ecuador), protects more than 4,000 hectares where water is captured for the benefit of more than 180,000 people.

Project Goals
Forest production is carried out in two community nurseries. The continuous training of local nurserymen is key to overall success. The project started with six women nurserymen. Currently there are 15 people involved (13 women and 2 men), who participate in all phases of the project; from the implementation of the nurseries, seedling care and planting campaigns. Project goals include:

  • In the short-term, the project seeks to recover at least 200 ha in Pichincha.
  • The medium-term objective is to replicate and scale the project in the provinces of Imbabura and Azuay (north and south of Ecuador), with the goal of producing native 600,000 seedlings in the IBA Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park (Imbabura) and IBA Bosque Protector Bosque Yanuncay-Yanasacha located in the Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve (Azuay).
  • Capacities of fifteen nurseries in the province of Pichincha will be increased.
  • At least 600 hectares identified and prioritized in the provinces of Imbabura and Azuay for scaling up the project and alliances will be established with communities and local governments for the recovery of the andean forest in two priority IBAS: Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park (Imbabura) and Yanuncay-Yanasacha Protected Forest in the Cajas Massif Biosphere Reserve.

Current Results
Native Trees Planted: 266,680
Hectares Restored: 187
Nurseries Built & Maintained: 2
Communities Involved: 4
2022-2023 Tree Planting Projection: 110,000