Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco is an Ecuadorian non-governmental organization (NGO), created in 1998 with the objective of protecting areas of critical importance for the conservation of endemic and threatened species in Ecuador that are not yet adequately protected. We have traditionally focused our conservation efforts in the conservation of threatened bird species.

Jocotoco achieves this goal by acquiring and managing land as strict biological reserves. To date, the foundation has established a network of 16 reserves, which together protect >23,500 ha. The reserves are home to more than 900 species of birds, >200 species of amphibians and reptiles, and protect large and rare mammals like the Spectacled Bear, Mountain and Chocó Tapir, Puma and Jaguar.

To mitigate climate change and prevent biodiversity loss, Fundación Jocotoco has implemented successful restoration programs since 2006. So far, Jocotoco has reforested >1,600,000 trees of 130 different native species, within their reserve network, at various sites in Ecuador. Jocotoco has a strong reforestation team, trained with 12 years of experience in different threatened ecosystems. Through the initiative “Oxígeno para el Futuro” (or Oxigen for the Future in English)  Jocotoco alongside Ecuambiente have set the ambitious goal to plant 1,000,000 native trees within the reserves, until 2023.

Additionally, we aim to create ecological corridors trough strategic reserve expansions. By connecting our reserves to other protected areas, mainly governmental reserves, we will create areas large enough to maintain populations of species with very large home ranges.

Finally, our conservation work is further reinforced and extends beyond our reserve boundaries through scientific research, community outreach, eco-tourism lodges, and environmental education.