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The World Land Trust is currently developing a new project, saving rainforest in Ecuador. The site is in the tropical Andes, in the Amazon Basin. Working with the local Fundaçion Jocotoco, WLT is seeking to purchase remnants of rainforest in the south of Ecuador. Jocotoco is named after the Jocotoco ant- pitta, a new species of bird that was only discovered three years ago. The Fundaçion was set up with the approval of the Ecuador Environment ministry.

The Importance of the Andean rainforests

Although most of the valleys in the area have been cleared for agriculture, many of the mountainous regions still have good forest cover. By purchasing the surviving forest remnants it will also be possible to save and protect vital habitats for the many rare and interesting species that depend on them. The significance of this region was demonstrated in a recent study of the world’s biodiversity which concluded that the Andean rainforests are the most important biological ‘hotspot’ in the world. The fact that new species of bird are still being discovered gives an indication of how important and little known the area is.

The Programme

The programme of land acquisition started in 1998 with the purchase of 1,500 acres of forest, where the Jocotoco Ant-pitta had just been discovered. This included a mountain peak of 3000m, adjacent to the Podocarpus National Park. Since then land purchase has taken place in several other areas in order to create nature reserves. The long-term plan is to continue acquiring available land, particularly with a view to forming corridors where possible, and joining together existing protected areas. For £10,000 it is possible to purchase an area of significant wildlife importance, which would protect approximately 500 acres of tropical forest. [The cost will vary depending on access, and whether or not the land has been cleared – land that has had the trees removed is more expensive – although less interesting for conservation].

The Strategy

WLT is raising funds based on the fact that relatively small amounts of money will save large areas of forest from destruction and, where forests have been chopped down, will enable reafforestation programmes to commence. For major sponsors we offer the following incentives:

• Commemorate major supporters by naming a reserve Sector after them

• Place an ‘Inca stela’ in the forest with brass plate recording donation

• Arrange for photos etc for donor for publicity purposes.