Conservation Facts

GUAJALITO RESERVE

Neblina Forest has been a leader in environmental habitat protection, and this has been a guiding principle since the beginning of the company. In 1998 we purchased 100 hectares of primary forest bordering the Guajalito Reserve on the old road between Quito and Santo Domingo de los Colorados. This forest reserve is home of many species of birds, a Cock of the Rock lek, and on the feeders we can enjoy sightings of the Hoary Puffleg. This property is located at 2000meters (6000 ft) to 4300meters (10,200ft). Tyras and other uncommon fauna thrive here. Oil company activity and transport passes near the property, but the area remains pristine as it has few (or no?) visitors now.

We need to support this area with visitors. It is a fact that the visit of birders and nature lovers has made a big difference in the conservation of other similar habitats because it changes the way the local people see their own forest and homes. It gives them a sense of pride to know that others appreciate their forests and this will provoke them to start to protect such places. Please check the work that the NGO, Fundacion Salvatierra, has undertaken there at the link below. Birdlife International has identified this area as an IBA as well. Also, have a look at our efforts there at the Neblina Forest link below as well..

CONSERVATION & MAQUIPUCUNA

We at Neblina Forest are promoting ecotourism as a strong tool for Conservation. We have been doing so the last 20 years in our professional career

We think that when we respect birds and their habitat, as well as nature in general, we not only preserve our land for our kids and grandkids but by doing so, we impact on the local people's economy.

Our guides, drivers, hotel owners, service providers and the rest of the people who are involved in servicing our clients are local actors involved in an effort to save our forests not only in Ecuador but in South America as a whole.

The task is huge, but we believe that if we unite efforts, it is possible. WE have seen it done. Our clients do not need to donate money, Just their presence in our South American countries as visitors has changed the way locals see nature as a source of income, hence, preventing its destruction.
Tourists provide jobs to many and help conservation by showing interest in our forests.

We like to support efforts of those who have invested more than money in salvaging the lives of birds and mammals such as the Spectacle Bear also known as Bear of the Andes as it is the only bear in South America. The Foundation I am talking about is MAQUIPUCUNA

People like Maquipucuna need to be encouraged in their endeavor of working for mother nature and the only way to do this is by visiting their lodge, enjoy their accommodations, and bird their trails.

Maquipucuna is a respectable organization working with local communities and saving areas of forest on the Western slope of the Cordillera de los Andes in Ecuador.

We would like to invite you to visit their web page and learn about them. They are serious , they love Ecuador and We like working with them . I hope in the long term we can reinforce our business relationship with them for a mutually beneficial future.

Neblina Forest started as an small company with the mision of organizing birding itineraries for birwatchers while providing the best quality associated services.

Neblina Forest is an ECUADORIAN company established in 1994 to promote Ecuador's avifauna and its wilderness, and by extension South America's, throughout a variety of bird watching tours. We are the only nature tourism company in our country able to offer a fully Ecuadorian / South American staff of birding and nature guides.

Since 1993 we have created an standard procedure, but it has been improving in time thanks to feedback provided by friends and clients.

We have been blessed as a company since during one of our trips on November, 1997, while birding with Robert Ridgely,John Moore , Lelis Navarrete, a Neblina Forest guide and Mercedes Rivadeneira, our General Manager, discovered a new species for science: the The Jocotoco Antpitta.

After this spectacular and blessed discovery, Lelis Navarrete and Xavier Muñoz played an important part on the creation of a new organization dedicated to purchasing land as a conservation tool in order to protect endangered species and their habitats.

Fundación Jocotoco was stablished in 1998. Xavier played an special rol the first years of the Foundation.

All this was possible thanks to the initial economical input and support of Mr. Nigel Simpson, a great human beign and bird lover. He was the one who donate money for the first land purchases.

Our friend, John Moore, most certainly, has been one of the most important donors in order to continue these aquisitions. Jocotoco Foundation is not your typical organization and i s in fact a functional and practical organization with an extraordinary potential.

We, at Neblina Forest, are pleased to be part of this movement, but most important, have been part of a revolutionary model of conservation.

For more information please visit (http://www.jocotoco.org/)

Thanks to the support of Naturetrek, a very concerned british company, Neblina Forest, was able to purchase land in Chiriboga.

This area is a nice cloudforest located on the western slope of the Andes, only two hours west of Quito .

Here, a reserve of 1,200 hectares exists thanks to the efforts of private individuals such as Vlastimil Zack, Mercedes Rivadeneira, Aves&Conservación (previously known as CECIA) , and many others who's concern is to preserve this last patch of pristine cloudforest which homes a Cock-of-the-Rock lek.

We see, still, the need to buy 199 more hectares which surround the already existent property. The cost for these is only US$60,000. This will close the circle of property protected for birds such as Cock-of-the-Rock, Hoary Puffleg ,Olivaceous Piha, Scaled Fruiteater, White-Faced Nunbird among others.

Our hope here is to develope ecotourism facilities as a nice alternative to the local economy and to provide an income for the preservation of this important forest.

At the moment, Neblina Forest has signed a conservation agreement with señor Alex Salazar, the owner of a nice forest in the area of Pedro Vicente Maldonado. This area is considered the last remnant of Choco forest closer to Quito.

The mentioned above land is only two hours west from Quito on the Pacific slope.

Choco forest has been cut since1994 in order to plant heart of palm.

Somehow we feel we should take responsibility and action in this area as it is protecting bird species such as : Black-Tipped Cotinga, Double -Banded Graytail, Choco Toucan, Scarlet-Breasted Dacnis, Scarlet and-White- Tanager, Rose-Faced Parrot, Crimson -Bellied Woodpecker .

Here a property of 50 hectares is going to be protected so bird lovers may enjoy all the birds of Choco area and the help also local people understand conservation and act on it preserving their home land.

The possibility of working with reforestation and ecotourism with the local population is one of the reasons for Neblina Forest to ask our friends, clients, and bird lovers in general to come and be part of these efforts. Every single dollar you pay Neblina Forest as part of your trip fee, remains here in Ecuador. It is invested in Ecuadorians and in our drive to protect what we consider our legacy to our grandchildren who are only starting to enjoy the quickly dissapearing avifauna.

Local owners of land are granting us rights to their forests and farms to work with a sustainable conservation and ecotouristic program. Land is being bought in order to preserve. Locals are learning about birds, habitats, preservation and service.

It must be emphasized that our work in conservation should never be used as a hook to sell a trip with us. You have been buying trips from Neblina Forest for 14 years and is service what draws you to our trips. But we want you to know we use your money to preserve land and habitats as well as to support the ecuadorian economy.