Please join our mission to save another endangered habitat of global ecological significance:
Expansion of the Jorupe Reserve in Ecuador, protecting critical habitat for endangered Tumbesian birds and other tropical wildlife.
Acquisition and establishment of the reserve began in 2004 with two properties totaling almost 1,400 acres. Major funding came from the Western Alliance for Nature, and also help from American Bird Conservancy, World Land Trust, World Parks, and a core group of individual donors. The reserve was turned over to an Ecuador foundation, Fundación Jocotoco to manage.
In April 2006, again with major funding from the Western Alliance for Nature, we completed the purchase of over another 1,500 acres. The purchase of the "Barriga Property" protects the entire western part of the Rio Jorupe watershed.
We purchase these lands and turn them over to locals to manage. As we develop ecotourism infrastructure on the reserves we provide a sustainable economic benefit to the community. The reserves also ensure a clean watershed for the community, once being polluted by habitat destructive subsistence agriculture. In fact the purchase money the property owners receive is more than they will earn in a lifetime by unproductive but environmentally damaging subsistence farming. It's a win-win scenario for every species (including man) as we conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable ecosystem management.
Our immediate goal this round is to raise $500,000 for additional purchases of adjoining critical and threatened habitats near the Peru border and the city of Macará, Ecuador. Ultimately, we want to protect all of the watershed, covering an elevation span of 300 to 2400 m. and expand this "Jorupe Biodiversity Reserve" to protect up to 7,000 acres of globally endangered dry tropical forest.
This is a Tumbesian dry tropical and montane forest, a swiftly vanishing habitat that is home to no less than 59 Tumbesian avian endemics, as well as high levels of endemism in butterflies, amphibians, and plants (especially orchids). The 59 species of birds endemic to the region, include the endangered Grey-cheeked Parakeet, whose population has been decimated by bird trappers. Notable endemic bird species found here include: the Grey-cheeked Parakeet (Endangered), the Henna-hooded and Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaners (both Vulnerable), Blackish-headed Spinetail (Vulnerable), and Gray-headed Antbird (Endangered).
In today's over-populated and developed world, finding an entire watershed of largely intact forest that still harbors a large number of endangered species in such a well settled area is unusual, and the reserve has therefore already attracted the attention of international conservationists and the hearty support of the nearby community of Macará.
Our South American partner, Fundación Jocotoco chose this site as:
- the largest contiguous tract of habitat of this type still in existence, with multiple at risk species;
- good opportunities for reforestation;
- and excellent road access to the population center of Macará, substantially enhancing its potential for ecotourism and local environmental education.
The Jorupe Reserve is the most recent in our partner, Fundación Jocotoco's network of private reserves designed to protect many of the most endangered birds that depend on rapidly disappearing habitats in the southern hemisphere. Currently the foundation owns and manages seven reserves that directly conserve over 15,000 acres of critical habitat.
You can help us reach our goal to save this rare and threatened habitat of global importance. Contact us and donate with your passion for conservation.
Please send your contribution to:
Western Alliance for Nature
P.O. Box 1041
Malibu, CA 90265
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