Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve
In early 2004, the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation (CFTC) presided over
the establishment of the Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve (Bosque
Seco Lalo Loor), located along the coast of Ecuador in the province of Manabí.
The new reserve, Ceiba's second in Ecuador, protects some of the last remaining tropical
dry forest found in the country, a habitat type that has been so severely deforested
in the past that only some 2% of the original extent remains. This reserve marks
the beginning our our broader effort to establish a forest corridor to connect remaining
habitat patches in the region. We encourage you to support our efforts in the dry
forest by visiting the reserve, volunteering
your time and energy, or making a donation to Ceiba.
El Pahuma Orchid Reserve
The Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation is working with local landowners
to coordinate the establishment of the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve
in Ecuador, protecting over 1500 acres of superb cloud forest from logging.
Home to the endangered Spectacled Bear, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan
and over 200 species of stunning orchids, the El Pahuma reserve is conserving habitat
and contributing to the development of a critical forest corridor linking two larger
reserves. Ecotourism and sustainable orchid production will help make El Pahuma
economically self-sufficient, while ensuring that the forest will remain a safe haven
for its plant and animal residents.
Recently, our work at El Pahuma has focused on the design and installation of a
Visitor Information Centro and Orchid Botanical Garden, the commencement of an orchid
propagation program, the completion of a 25-year conservation
easement, and three biological inventory projects: and avian
inventory conducted by volunteers, an orchid inventory
conducted by a Ceiba intern, and a botanical inventory
conducted by a team from the National Herbarium of Ecuador. In 2001, we began
construction of the reserve's Information Center, which will provide the public with
lodging, a restaurant, and informative displays about orchid biology and conservation.
The Center was completed in the winter of 2002, and we are happy to announce that
the grand opening of the reserve on January 18 and
19, 2003.
Visit the El Pahuma section for more information.
Tropical Ecology Field Courses
Ceiba offers the four-week tropical ecology course Andes
To Amazon, which visits Ecuador's Pacific dry forest, Andean cloud forest, and
Amazonian rainforest in eastern Ecuador. There, students enjoy a superb opportunity
to visit and study one of the finest examples of tropical rainforest left on the planet.
Coursework stresses basic ecology, tropical habitats, independent field projects,
and current local conservation issues. Students also receive hands-on training in
techniques for biological field research. Our previous course was a great success,
and our diverse group of students enjoyed themselves thoroughly, see the Course
Report for more exciting details. This year, we have expanded the course
to include more in-depth study of the unique and severely threatened dry forests of
the Pacific lowlands.
In 2007 we inaugurated the Tropical Conservation Experience
- Galapagos, Andes & Amazon, an entire semester in Ecuador! This program,
a collaboration between the Ceiba Foundation, Ecuador's Universidad San Francisco
de Quito and the University of Wisconsin provides instruction and hands-on training
in terrestrial and marine ecology, and conservation science. Students live with host
families and get credit for Spanish study as part of a 16-credit semester. The semester
concludes with a one-month internship for a local conservation organization. More
information is available here.
Beginning in 2000, Ceiba has offered several scholarships
for course participants. This year two Ecuadorian students were awarded full scholarships,
specifically intended to make the course accessible to local students. Scholarships
are awarded through a separate application process, information for which is available
online.
Volunteer and Intern Program
Over the past several years, Ceiba has made available a number of volunteer and
intern positions to assist us in our conservation projects. We have enjoyed the participation
of a number of students and graduates, whose efforts have been both productive and
diverse: mapping the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve trail system, surveying the reserves
orchids and birds, developing an in-vitro orchid propagation program, designing layout
of a guide to El Pahuma's orchids, and improvement of the botanical garden at the
reserve. Descriptions of the work carried out by our previous volunteers, interns
and researchers can be found here.
Tropical Forestry Research
Ceiba is planning future research to study tropical tree plantations and their
use by native wildlife in Costa Rica. Our study will compare forestry programs
which use native tree species to plantations composed of introduced tree species such
as teak, and particularly focus on the role that tree plantations can play as biological
corridors between isolated forest fragments. The native tree plantations we
will study, on the property of EARTH (College
of Tropical Agriculture), connect a number of forest fragments on the college property
and form a buffer around a large forest reserve. Already, monkeys and other forest
wildlife are being seen moving through several of the buffer plantations. Ceiba
staff conducted preliminary surveys of the area in 1997, and we plan to return for
in-depth surveys in the upcoming years. Currently, we are preparing grant proposals
to acquire funding for field seasons beginning by 2003.
Shade Trees In Pastures
Pastures in the tropics are frequently unproductive, and pose major barriers to
animals that shy away from open spaces. Research conducted by Ceiba in Panama
and Costa Rica indicated that retaining shade trees in pastures and farms may improve
soil quality, provide better habitat for birds and facilitate bird movement between
forest fragments. The findings of this research were presented at the 1997 AFO/ABA
Joint Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Wildlife Monitoring Program
Ceiba authored a wildlife monitoring program for the Tiputini Biodiversity Station
in Amazonian Ecuador to track the effects of visitors and researchers on local wildlife.
Although ecotourism may help protect these forests, visitors can have negative impacts
that must be managed to ensure the future of the station's wildlife populations.
To receive a copy of the wildlife monitoring program, which may be adapted for use
at any other conservation site, please contact Ceiba.
Read Our Annual Newsletter
To read more about the foundations current priorities and past achievements, please
feel free to browse through these issues of our annual newsletter, Kapok:
Kapok 2006
Kapok 2005
Kapok 2004
Further Inquiries
For detailed descriptions of any of our projects, please contact
Ceiba directly.