Current Projects

Marine Turtle Conservation

Sea turtles have lived in the world’s oceans for more than 150 million years. Sadly these ancient reptiles are now globally threatened with extinction. The turtle populations are gradually declining as a result of persistent hunting, exploitation of the eggs, increasing coastal development, incidental capture in fisheries, the degradation and destruction of nesting beaches, and marine pollution.

The C.C.B.D. first established its turtle conservation efforts on playa Rincon de San Josecito, Osa Peninsula in 2004. Going into our 9th turtle season we are quite aware of the danger that faces the sea turtles and recognize that now more than ever, we need to raise awareness and increase our conservation efforts.

“Rincón de San Josecito” is a beach about a kilometer long, located in the northern part of the Osa Peninsula, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. On this beach, we have registered three species of sea turtles nesting; in decreasing order of abundance are the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbrincata). There is evidence in the local community who speak of sightings of the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), although there are no recorded sightings of this species since the inception of our project 9 years ago.

The main objectives of this conservation project are:

• The development of a nursery for the protection of the eggs collected following a management plan according to SINAC.
• Night patrols to find nesting females and collect the
• Take biometric data of nesting females, proceed to the marking, information of the nests, care and control of the nursery, hatching and exhumations of nests.
• Raise the environmental awareness of the local community, for solidarity with the project and the current status of sea turtles.

Agua Santa Well Project

Agua Santa is a highland Quechua (Kichua) speaking community near Riobamba, in Chimborazo Province, central Andean Ecuador. The Agua Santa community is located in the agricultural heartland of Ecuador which is responsible for producing a significant food supply for the entire country.

Water is scarce and is a precious commodity. In 2010 our foundation help to complete a community constructed water tank. As time passed after the completion, it became increasingly clear that the 2 day water supply that arrives every 8 days is simply not enough. To continue our dedication in ensuring the survival of Agua Santa and the future success of the Dressing the Mountains in Green (DMG) project, Agua Santa needs assistance funding the construction of a water well.

 

Guayusa Tea House

The Guayusa Tea House is proud to offer top quality, wildcrafted, solar dried Guayusa leaves direct from the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. The purchase of this tea creates a sustainable economic livelihood for small farmers, families and the communities of the Amazon rainforest. The economic alternatives that these people face are limited to unsustainable methods of the oil drilling and timber harvesting industries. These practices cause irreversible damage to these environments which are the lungs of our planet and home to the most biodiverse ecosystems anywhere found on earth.

The Guayusa Tea House has created a market driven rainforest conservation and restoration project linking conscientious people worldwide by paying above market value prices to indigenous growers who are dedicated to protecting the most bio-diverse ecosystems on our planet. Live responsibly and healthy by drinking Guayusa tea. Enjoy a cup knowing that you have made a difference.

 

Dressing The Mountains In Green

Dressing the Mountains in Green (Vistiendo las Montanas Verde): Initiated by Patricio Pilco and Juan Hipo, Patricio’s uncle and community leader, the Dressing the Mountains in Green (VMV) project strives to promote the survival of the Quechua speaking indigenous peoples of the high Andes Provinces. VMV reforests their degraded ancestral lands, and provides environmental education and cultural preservation resources for the public. Through planting native nitrogen enriching plants, Agua Santa will recuperate soil fertility in their province, improve water supply, and produce food for the community and native wildlife.

According to a report from the Earthwatch Institute, “Highland forests are crucial for local water supply, and studies have shown that water supply depends as much upon fog as on rainfall.” Despite the desert-like levels of precipitation of recent years in this region of the Andes, when the Ecuadorian mountains are covered with native humid forest species the growth captures the fog. Replanting this growth is the goal of this project.

 

Completed Projects

Agua Santa Water Tank

Thanks to the progressive thinking and devout efforts of Patricio and his Dressing the Mountains in Green (DMG) project and support from the Living Bridges Foundation, the Tian Gong International Foundation, and the Fundacion OSA. Agua Santa villagers worked together in solidarity to construct a 250 cubic meter water tank to capture their water. The tank was completed in 2010 and has been built atop Miraloma hill to store and supply water to the peoples of the Agua Santa community. Everyone in the village of Agua Santa shares this water for drinking and for their household gardens.

Unfortunately due to global warming and climate change, the water that arrives to Agua Santa community is less and less. When their two days of water arrive, the village can only hope and pray for their tank to fill up.

 

Napo Galeras National Park

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Project Summary 1994-2000

Our foundation has a rich history of community based projects throughout Ecuador. Many of these projects directly benefited the Secoya indigenous groups as well as others. Click here or on the title above to see a complete list of foundation successes throughout this time.