Conservation of the Amazon rainforest in the Narupa Reserve

Positive impact generated

W Racing Team Impact Generated

W Racing Team’s contribution accounts for 58.85% of the projects total positive impact.

Context

The Narupa Reserve, located in the Napo bioregion, is part of the Amazon-Andes program by Fundación Jocotoco, dedicated to the environmental protection of the tropical forest and to combating deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

The Amazon rainforest, on the eastern slopes of the tropical Andes, is considered one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, as evidenced by the highest number of bird species recorded globally. However, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is accelerating, making it essential to create a network of protected areas to protect the tropical forest. Narupa is part of this conservation program by Fundación Jocotoco, connecting Antisana National Park with Sumaco National Park and creating a continuous protected zone of nearly 300,000 hectares.

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Stakeholders and local partners

Who are the key stakeholders?

The work of Fundación Jocotoco is based on building a strong network of stakeholders to create benefits for neighboring reserves, organizations, and local communities. Although there are no Indigenous populations within the territory of Narupa, nearby are the Kijos-Kichwa people, who manage communal forests - community-owned forest lands within the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. These communal forests are essential for the survival, cultural preservation, and territorial rights of local communities. They are managed to protect the environment, promote traditional practices, and provide sustainable alternatives to harmful industries.

Project Developer:

Objectives and approach

The goal of the project is to expand the Narupa Reserve, in order to connect it with other forest conservation areas and build a wider network of protected zones.

The Narupa Reserve aims to combat deforestation in the Amazon rainforest by protecting the tropical rainforest and its rich biodiversity. The main goal is to expand the original reserve by acquiring strategic areas that improve connectivity between Narupa, Sumaco-Napo-Galeras National Park, and the Antisana Ecological Reserve. This green corridor is essential for safeguarding critical habitats in the Amazon rainforest, preventing deforestation driven by agricultural expansion and unsustainable use of natural resources. The reserve is home to threatened species such as the military macaw and the black-and-chestnut eagle, as well as a variety of amphibians and mammals, including pumas and tapirs.

In addition to the strategy of expanding reserves, the approach adopted by Fundación Jocotoco combines scientific, social, and management aspects of conservation. Their work focuses on scientific research supported by tools such as AI, camera traps, and advanced audio systems, which make it possible to monitor biodiversity, collect data, and track deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. At the same time, Fundación Jocotoco collaborates with local communities and other organizations to strengthen resource management knowledge and integrate diverse approaches.