Category: People & Landscapes

Less than three decades ago, much of what is now the Buenaventura Reserve was cattle pasture. Fragments of Andean cloud forest were scattered across the landscape, limiting the movement of species between the lowlands and the highlands. Today, the landscape tells a very different story.

When we think about conservation, we rarely consider what conservation truly demands: cutting trails through nearly inaccessible terrain, trekking long distances on foot, climbing mountains, descending canyons, camping for days, and working under extreme heat, cold, rain, and wind. Behind every protected species lies physical endurance, meticulous planning, resilience, and an unwavering sense of purpose. That is the reality of Juan Chávez, who works for Jocotoco in some of the most remote and demanding places on Earth.

When you visit some places, they change the way you see the world. At Jocotours, we understand that travel is far more than reaching a destination; its a way to connect with nature, understand it, and actively contribute to its conservation. When you travel with us, you can visit Jocotocos network of reserves in Ecuador each protecting a unique landscape, and threatened ecosystems and wildlife. Within this network, biodiversity is safeguarded by the Ecuadorian local leaders that drive Jocotocos work.

The Responsible Fishing Network of Galapagos has taken an important step forward in strengthening a shared vision of sustainability, traceability, and marine conservation by bringing together artisanal fishers, conservation organizations, and strategic partners committed to the future of the archipelagos marine resources.

Every year, sea turtles, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and whales face a silent threat in the ocean: becoming entangled in abandoned fishing gear, ropes, lines, and other marine debris. In many cases, their survival depends on one critical factora rapid, safe, and well-coordinated response.

Representatives from the Galápagos National Park Directorate, Fundación Jocotoco, Conservando Galápagos, the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Island Conservation, and other technical partners participated in the workshop Co-creating a Coordinated Roadmap for the Conservation of the Pink Iguana, held on May 7 and 8 on Santa Cruz Island.

Floreana Island, Galápagos is one of the worlds first to launch a Smart Island Monitoring system, using innovative realtime technology that is transforming how island ecosystems are monitored and managed. The initiative is part of the Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project, which is led by the Galápagos National Park Directorate as the environmental authority, together with the Galápagos Biosecurity Agency. The Smart Islands Monitoring initiative is led by Island Conservation, in coordination with Fundación Jocotoco, with support from the German Development Bank (KfW) and the CoMoN Foundation through the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Reinforcing the commitment to protect the natural capital of the Galápagos Islands, Los Petreles Reserve was officially inaugurated. The reserve is one of Fundación Jocotocos 18 reserves nationwide and a key site for the conservation of the Galápagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia), one of the archipelagos most emblematic and threatened seabirds.

Jocotoco proudly announces that Dr. Paola Sangolquí, our Marine Conservation Coordinator, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Whitley Award by the U.K.-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), in recognition of her innovative work to protect the Critically Endangered Galápagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia).

The groundbreaking results of a study in western Ecuador’s Chocó rainforests, one of the most complex, biodiverse, and threatened ecosystems on Earth, show that after deforestation, nature can return on its own quickly. In Jocotoco’s Canandé Reserve and nearby areas, abandoned cacao plantations and pastures recover 90% of species diversity and animal biomass in only 30 years, one human generation, once that land is protected and allowed to recover.