Standing Virgen Forests
Starting in 1964 and for 30 years, the Ecuadorian government implemented the Ley de Reforma Agraria y Colonización (Agrarian Reform and Colonization Law) that would result in the end of the huasipungo system (a serf type system). It also opened vast areas of forests from the coast to the Amazon rainforest to agriculture and logging. One of these programs was to give 50 hectares (123.5 acres) of prime forest in the upper-Amazon (500m above sea level) on which colons would deforest half, and raise 25 grazing cows resulting in about 80% deforestation over these decades, which has only gotten worst after oil, minerals and value wood were found. The 20% remaining are either Indigenous demarcated territories, government-administered or privately-owned land. An effort to reforest these areas is underway, although nothing can replace virgin forests and their unique ecosystem. It takes at least 50 years for a reforested area to replicate a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Privately-owned forests are of particular interest because they are close to urban areas and to roads, which make them particularly attractive to logging and agricultural operations. A logger would come and deforest the area, he’d share the profits with the owner 50/50. The owner would burn the remaining vegetation and sell the land to farmers.
We are creating a fund to buy these patches of standing virgin forests, especially those with rich ecosystems and abundant medicinal plants. Based on their topography, we’ve envisioned multiple uses: a) build self-sustaining retreat and ecotourism centers; b) sustainably harvest existing medicinal trees (resin, latest) and plants; c) and some will remain undisturbed and managed by our indigenous partners or/and displaced and vulnerable population.
Our first project is 10 miles north of the city of Puyo, the capital of the Pastaza Province, Ecuador. It is 75 Ha/ 185 acres in size and has many medicinal trees and plants as well as groundwater where these photos were taken. It is the perfect environment to create a retreat, regenerative and conservation center. The first time Marc Thibault entered the forest, a hummingbird about 10cm (4 in) long greeted him. We decided to call the area the Colibri Conservation and Retreat Center.
Would you help us secure this land and other standing virgin forests?
Please, Contact Us for more information or
Starting in 1964 and for 30 years, the Ecuadorian government implemented the Ley de Reforma Agraria y Colonización (Agrarian Reform and Colonization Law) that would result in the end of the huasipungo system (a serf type system). It also opened vast areas of forests from the coast to the Amazon rainforest to agriculture and logging. One of these programs was to give 50 hectares (123.5 acres) of prime forest in the upper-Amazon (500m above sea level) on which colons would deforest half, and raise 25 grazing cows resulting in about 80% deforestation over these decades, which has only gotten worst after oil, minerals and value wood were found. The 20% remaining are either Indigenous demarcated territories, government-administered or privately-owned land. An effort to reforest these areas is underway, although nothing can replace virgin forests and their unique ecosystem. It takes at least 50 years for a reforested area to replicate a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Privately-owned forests are of particular interest because they are close to urban areas and to roads, which make them particularly attractive to logging and agricultural operations. A logger would come and deforest the area, he’d share the profits with the owner 50/50. The owner would burn the remaining vegetation and sell the land to farmers.
We are creating a fund to buy these patches of standing virgin forests, especially those with rich ecosystems and abundant medicinal plants. Based on their topography, we’ve envisioned multiple uses: a) build self-sustaining retreat and ecotourism centers; b) sustainably harvest existing medicinal trees (resin, latest) and plants; c) and some will remain undisturbed and managed by our indigenous partners or/and displaced and vulnerable population.
Our first project is 10 miles north of the city of Puyo, the capital of the Pastaza Province, Ecuador. It is 75 Ha/ 185 acres in size and has many medicinal trees and plants as well as groundwater where these photos were taken. It is the perfect environment to create a retreat, regenerative and conservation center. The first time Marc Thibault entered the forest, a hummingbird about 10cm (4 in) long greeted him. We decided to call the area the Colibri Conservation and Retreat Center.
Would you help us secure this land and other standing virgin forests?
Please, Contact Us for more information or