F.A.Q's

What type of organization is Fundación Maquipucuna?

It is a non-profit organization legally established in Ecuador since 1988.  It is a national organization that is dedicated to conserve Ecuador’s biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources.  Fundación Maquipucuna's mission is to contribute to biodiversity conservation through an ecosystem-based approach that integrates education, scientific research, nature reserve management, climate change mitigation, and community-based economic development.

What are some of Fundación Maquipucuna’s conservation programs?

Maquipucuna initiated the Choco Andean Corridor project that encompasses an area of 3,000,000 hectares in northwestern Ecuador. The Choco Andean Corridor is a matrix of land uses with conservation and sustainable human economic activities.  From 1989 to 2004 Maquipucuna pioneered integrated conservation and sustainable development work in the bufferzone of the Podocarpus National Park in Southeast Ecuador.

What is Maquipucuna’s view on sustainable development?

We sustain environmental values while integrating business, civil society, and government to design economically viable solutions for the people of this region.  Our main role is to facilitate and enable economic development in this marginalized region by incorporating it into the global development process.  We do this by building human capital (i.e. training, environmental education, etc.), establishing social capital (i.e. networks, community-based conservation and development, etc.), recognizing and utilizing natural capital (i.e. ecotourism, “bird-friendly" shade-grown organic coffee and cacao, native bamboo, etc.) and providing financial capital (i.e. investments, infrastructure, etc.).

What opportunities are being provided to the local communities of the Maquipucuna Reserve?

Maquipucuna’s philosophy is that people are part of the environment, and helping local communities meet their social and economic needs is integral for successful conservation. We are promoting alternative land uses and income-generating alternatives such as agroforestry, ecotourism, plant propagation, and small agri-business in general, that allow local people to make a living without destroying the rainforest.  Some examples of these agroforestry systems include shade-grown coffee and sustainable cacao plantations.

What is the Maquipucuna Reserve?

The Maquipucuna Reserve is the gateway to the Chocó-Andean Corridor, one of Ecuador’s top three biodiversity hotspots.  Established in 1988, it became Ecuador’s first protected area established by a non-profit organization.

What kind of diversity can be found at the Maquipucuna Reserve?

The reserve has 14,000 acres of breathtaking cloud forests from 2,950 to 8800 feet above sea level.  Ten percent of Ecuador’s plant diversity and over 20% of Ecuador’s bird diversity have been registered at the Maquipucuna Reserve.  Dr. Grady L. Webster described Maquipucuna Reserve as the “Crown Jewel of the Andes” due to its unique biological richness.

Are there facilities for visiting researchers?

The northern part of the reserve offers world class ecotourism facilities; the Maquipucuna Ecolodge and Research Station.  The Ecolodge is situated on a beautiful river and has housing for 38 people.  The Research Station is situated near the Ecolodge and has housing for 20 people.  It also includes an adjoining laboratory.  Meals are served to all visitors and are based on local recipes. Library resources are available at Maquipucuna Foundation’s office in Quito.

What kind of research is conducted at the Maquipucuna Reserve?

All species of plants, birds, mammals, and butterflies have been identified.  Research has been conducted on cloud forest ecology and conservation.  Basic natural history research and research on applied topics relating to improving management of resources around the Reserve has been conducted.  Researchers are always encouraged to come to Maquipucuna Reserve for their work.

What is the goal of Our Shared Forests?

Our Shared Forests is a Migratory Bird Partnership between Georgia and the Chocó-Andean Corridor that aims to create awareness of the 10 migratory bird species of both regions.  It is designed to be socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable.  Overall, this project is a bi-national partnership designed to bring light to the importance of conserving existing habitats and reestablishing fragmented habitats of neotropical migrant birds.  Habitats of these birds are becoming fragmented and scarce as trees are cut down for timber, development, and agriculture.

What do Maqui-Carbon credits protect?

The Maqui-Carbon credits protect the 2.5 million acres of the Chocó-Andean corridor.  The Chocó-Andean corridor is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet and contains more than 10% of the world’s threatened bird species.

Who founded Maqui-Carbon credits?

Fundación Maquipucuna was the originator of Maqui-Carbon credits.  It has been working since 1988 with local communities to halt the rapid deforestation in the region.

Is it difficult to protect the forests?

Protecting the forests presents many difficult challenges.  In addition to owning the land, it is necessary to invest resources in order to prevent squatting.  Much of the forest that is not owned by Maqui-Carbon credits grows on land owned by small, very poor communities.  Logging and oil palm companies are rapidly buying much of this land because many times the small, poor communities have no other choice but to sell it.  They don’t want to see the forest destroyed but they usually lack basic needs; food, shelter, and healthcare.  Therefore, desperation pushes people to make decisions with short term benefits.

How are Maqui-Carbon credits helping protect forests?

In spite of the difficulties that many Choco-Andean communities face, many are working with Fundación Maquipucuna and have recently set aside thousands of hectares of remaining forest as conservation areas.  Leaving land unexploited when you are poor is a tremendous sacrifice that can only bring benefits if the protected rainforest provides a steady income to support basic needs of families.  Maqui-Carbon credits help to provide that income.  Maqui-Carbon credits help create sustainable economic development initiatives that compensate for foregone income of clearing forests.  They also contribute to the protection of conservation areas through patrolling and education.

What is the Slow Production Method?

The Slow Production Method is built on three core values; Transparency, Simplicity, and Consciousness.  The Tasteful and Transparent Choco Andes Coffee is being featured as the first Slow Coffee brand that complies with all of the slow-production criteria.  It is roasted by 1000 Faces, the roaster company based in Athens, GA that was founded as an arm of Maquipucuna’s work in the U.S.