With the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), we have been working with the communities of Agua Blanca in Machalilla National Park, and Ayangue and Libertador Bolívar and Olón which are in the Pelado Marine Reserve. Our goal is to strengthen local resilience and economies by improving the quality and presentation of artisanal goods associated with tourism in the area. These communities depend heavily on tourism for their livelihoods and the pandemic severely impacted the local economy. The shutdown increased food insecurity by reducing locals’ ability to sell products and host tourists. In collaboration with GIZ and the Ministry of the Environment, the Ceiba Foundation is working to diversify incomes and incentivize the safe re-opening of the area to sustainable tourism. We have hosted four workshops on biosecurity protocols and distributed Covid-19 kits and signage. We have also hosted workshops in cooking, client services, bamboo construction techniques and through this last workshop have begun construction of an artisanal center in Agua Blanca.

 

2020 was a difficult year for all, especially for a small non-profit that relies on income from study abroad programming! You came through with your generous gifts this year, and for that we are so grateful. Thank you! Because of you, we have been able to keep our conservation projects running and making a difference. We recently delivered 350 tree seedlings to landowners to help with reforestation and restoration. Our community workshops have continued both virtually and in-person with social distancing and other protocols to keep local communities and the Ceiba staff safe. Your continued support has kept us going throughout the pandemic and we are thrilled about the opportunities in the coming year!

The Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve is open and receiving interns, volunteers, and visitors. Thanks to the dedication and resilience of Ceiba staff, and the reserve manager, we have been able to safely host a small number of interns and volunteers who keep our projects on the coast going. We have multiple protocols in place including mask requirements, one-way trails, and limiting the number of visitors. The reserve is fortunately full of open space so it is easy to stay outdoors and distanced!

Our volunteers and interns have been hard at work, supporting some of the local tree nurseries. They filled over a thousand bags, for future seedlings that will be used for reforestation purposes in the area. They also participated in a dog sterilization campaign in Puerto Cabuyal, a campaign concerned over dog attacks on nesting turtles.  The sterilization campaign also limits the overpopulation of street dogs, which can represent a danger to community members and are a source of canine diseases.

Join us in welcoming María José Rendón as Ceiba’s new Coordinator of Education and Conservation Programs in Ecuador!  “Majo” takes over from Kelly Van Gils, who has returned to Holland after 3 years building our environmental outreach efforts.  We thank Kelly for all of her hard work and wish her all the best!  

 

Majo has a degree in conservation, has worked on shark conservation projects in Galapagos, and in 2020 served as teaching assistant for Ceiba’s Tropical Conservation Semester.  She will lead Ceiba’s internship, volunteer, and education programs out of the Lalo Loor Reserve in coastal Ecuador. Bienvenida Majo!

Conserving threatened ecosystems is more important now than ever. The continent of South America accounts for over half of the world's percentage of deforestation. From undiscovered medical uses, to helping prevent climate disaster, saving forests can help us combat current and future problems. Ceiba is working with landowners and local governments in Ecuador to make sustainable land management a reality. With your support, we will provide communities the resources they need to pursue a more sustainable future. Please join others who have made Ceiba a top-rated nonprofit, and make your gift today.