The Chocó forests of northwest Ecuador form part of one of the ten most important biodiversity hotspots globally. While the Chocó is almost as diverse as the much better-known Amazon basin, it is far more threatened by rapid deforestation. The Chocó lies between the Andes and the Pacific coast, and stretches from Panama, through Colombia, and into northwest Ecuador. It is astonishingly diverse. With more than 11,000 species of vascular plants, the Chocó is the floristic hotspot of the Americas. The Ecuadorian Chocó alone supports 900 species of birds, more than 8% of all bird species on Earth. The Chocó even surpasses the Amazon in the number of endemic and range-restricted species. The Chocó ecosystems in Ecuador also provide important benefits to the 1.2 million people living there, including clean, fresh water.

From Reserves to Regional Programs

In this incredibly biodiverse country, Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco protects over 10% of all bird species in the world thanks to its network of reserves spanning over 38,000 hectares. The organization safeguards a total of 4,244 species. Historically, Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco has established 16 reserves that have saved species and ecosystems from extinction. Its conservation model embodies a perpetual commitment to nature and local communities. With a clear vision, local engagement, long-term strategy, and focused leadership, Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco sets itself apart.

25 Years of Conservation

In 1998, Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco, an Ecuadorian non-governmental organization (NGO) was created to protect areas of critical importance for the conservation of threatened species in Ecuador. Their  mission is to support the conservation of Ecuador’s biodiversity, focusing on threatened species and ecosystems backed by scientific evidence and establishing partnerships with local stakeholders.

The Chocó forests of northwest Ecuador form part of one of the ten most important biodiversity hotspots globally. While the Chocó is almost as diverse as the much better-known Amazon basin, it is far more threatened by rapid deforestation. The Chocó lies between the Andes and the Pacific coast, and stretches from Panama, through Colombia, and into northwest Ecuador. It is astonishingly diverse. With more than 11,000 species of vascular plants, the Chocó is the floristic hotspot of the Americas. The Ecuadorian Chocó alone supports 900 species of birds, more than 8% of all bird species on Earth. The Chocó even surpasses the Amazon in the number of endemic and range-restricted species. The Chocó ecosystems in Ecuador also provide important benefits to the 1.2 million people living there, including clean, fresh water.

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