PIONEERING CONSERVATION IN ECUADOR
Fundación Maquipucuna is an Ecuador-based nonprofit organization, Reserve and Ecolodge situated on 14,000 acres within the Chocó-Andino bioregion, one of earth's top 5 biodiversity hotspots. It offers global inspiration that leverages collective wisdom and creativity to foster regenerative development, emphasizing holistic conservation practices, climate refugia, and valuing and nurturing ecosystem services across multiple scales.
Together with local communities and governments they have created the Chocó-Andino Biosphere Reserve which works to:
Maquipucuna has sustainability ingrained into virtually all aspects of their model. They support environmental preservation initiatives that simultaneously generate income and security for local communities; they conduct an eco-tourism program to fund their own operations and they seek collaborations and partnerships with municipal government that will protect and expand their critical work. This is the type of approach Pennywise values most and we are proud to lend our support!
Together with local communities and governments they have created the Chocó-Andino Biosphere Reserve which works to:
- Preserve local wildlife (including endangered species such as the Andean (spectacled) bear);
- Promote environmental education, sustainable economic development, and research
- Demonstrate that the preservation of natural assets yields much greater long-term economic and societal benefits than the economic activities that damage these natural assets for short-term profit.
Maquipucuna has sustainability ingrained into virtually all aspects of their model. They support environmental preservation initiatives that simultaneously generate income and security for local communities; they conduct an eco-tourism program to fund their own operations and they seek collaborations and partnerships with municipal government that will protect and expand their critical work. This is the type of approach Pennywise values most and we are proud to lend our support!
The projecT
MISSION
To champion an ethic that deeply values and safeguards Chocó Andino treasures — its biodiversity, culture, and ecosystem services. Through regenerative community development, we blend environmental and societal progress, crafting communities that are vibrant and sustainable.
OBJECTIVE
To strengthen the resilience of the two distinct but synergistic structures, a non-profit Fundación Maquipucuna, and a for-profit (WiseEarth Group), which together support the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve, Maquipucuna Reserve, and Andean Bear habitat.
FOR THE PEOPLE:
To champion an ethic that deeply values and safeguards Chocó Andino treasures — its biodiversity, culture, and ecosystem services. Through regenerative community development, we blend environmental and societal progress, crafting communities that are vibrant and sustainable.
OBJECTIVE
To strengthen the resilience of the two distinct but synergistic structures, a non-profit Fundación Maquipucuna, and a for-profit (WiseEarth Group), which together support the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve, Maquipucuna Reserve, and Andean Bear habitat.
FOR THE PEOPLE:
- Art, Spirituality, education, sustainable finances
- Securing the Área de Conservación y Uso Sustentable (ACUS) Designation for MAQUIPUCUNA – NANEGAL - CACHILLACTA: A Synergy of Conservation and Sustainable Development3. Nurturing the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards through Maquipucuna’s JUNIOR NATURALIST LIVING SCHOOL and promoting local cultural preservation
- Empowering Sustainable Finances: Ecotourism, Ecosystem Services Valuation, and the Bio-Hub Initiative
- Conservation, science, ecosystem valuation
- Expanding and Protecting the Maquipucuna Reserve: A Strategic Plan for Andean Bear Conservation and Biodiversity Preservation
- Establishing a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Initiative: Investigating Climate Change Impacts on Choco Andean Forests, Canopy Ecology, and Andean Bear Ecology
- Valuing Ecosystem Services: Harnessing NFTs and Community Carbon Banking for Sustainable Conservation
Levels of Giving:
We are proud to partner with Colombian artist, Andro Rendon, who has designed special murals of Andean Bears and Maquipucuna's biodiversity on location at the bioreserve ecolodge and at a local school. He has designed a special engraved bear token for NFTs as well as to bear tokens on Pacche wood and other gifts from the Pacche brand in return for your generous support. Pacche is the type of tree that contains lipid-rich avocado fruits, a true delicacy that attracts the bears to Maquipucuna.
We are proud to partner with Colombian artist, Andro Rendon, who has designed special murals of Andean Bears and Maquipucuna's biodiversity on location at the bioreserve ecolodge and at a local school. He has designed a special engraved bear token for NFTs as well as to bear tokens on Pacche wood and other gifts from the Pacche brand in return for your generous support. Pacche is the type of tree that contains lipid-rich avocado fruits, a true delicacy that attracts the bears to Maquipucuna.
Rebeca Justicia, PhD. & Rodrigo Ontaneda, Maquipucuna is an Ecuador-based nonprofit organization, Reserve and Ecolodge situated on 14,000 acres within the Chocó-Andino bioregion.
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Wetherbee Dorshow, PhD.
Specializing in science-based design, implementation, and management of geographic information systems for energy and conservation projects. |