Kai Reinacher

Southern Ecuador is home to an extraordinary and unique Biodiversity. The habitats that host native animal and plant species however, have become very scarce and continue to be destroyed...The Swiss association Árbol co(n)razón and the Ecuadorian Acociación Finca Sagrada have joined forces to change this development - to end the recurring wildfires and to restore the natural ecosystems. We are supported by other local NGOs and the local community. Together we can make a significant contribution to conserve this unique biological diversity, to mitigate climate change and to support the local community to live happy lives and to develop in a sustainable way. In 2021, we have initiated the Reforestation of the Sacred Mountain. In a two-year pilot project we could plant almost 19.000 trees on 5 hectares of land. A survival rate of 80% after the first dry season speaks for the success of our approach which includes the implementation of rainwater harvesting, prevention of further soil erosion and the improvement of soil fertility. After this great success, we want to continue reforesting the Sacred Mountain developing the most efficient way to restore Andean Dry Forests and Shrublands. For this, we collaborate with researchers from the biology department of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL EcossLab). In this second phase of the project, we aim to create a 500 m long Green Belt across the whole mountain protecting it long-term from wild fires approaching from west. This Green Belt can protect an area of roughly 65 ha from future wild fires. In this area, we plan to implement more rainwater harvesting structures and to assisst natural regeneration by planting Nuclei of Regeneration (basically tree islands). Alongside these efforts, the second phase of the project also includes measures to conserve the population of the Critically Endangered Ecuadorian Viscacha (Lagidium ahuacaence), a Chinchilla species we discovered on the mountain. Furthermore, we aim to support the local community beyond providing job opportunities in our project by supporting their efforts to implement eco-tourism, start organic gardening and agroforestry as well as by offering an environmental education in collaboration with the local school. In addition, we are working towards raising enough funds to be able to purchase the neighboring mountain which is actually for sale right now. Our goal is to create a Nature Reserve on more than 500 hectares spanning more than 800 m of altitudes. In a 500 ha protected area, significant populations of threatened species can thrive. Thus, it can contribute to save these animals and plants from going extinct and to attract more tourists creating job opportunities for locals. Together we can make a real difference to the people, the local climate and the uniquie species richness of southern Ecuador. Together we can transform the lives of thousands of humans, animals and plants and the landscape of a whole region. Join our Efforts to give abondoned land back to nature and to create habitats for the colorful biodiversity of the Southern Central Andes and help to rascue threatened species from going extinct.THANK YOU FROM ALL OUR HEARTS FOR YOUR DONATION ♥

Sacred Mountain Reforestation
Kai Reinacher

$274.15

Sacred Mountain ReforestationKai Reinacher

$274.15

Sacred Mountain Reforestation
Kai Reinacher