Strengthening Coordination for Ecuador’s Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas

From May 29th to June 1st 2025, in the towns of Cotacachi and Intag in the northern Ecuadorian Andes, various conservation stakeholders from across Ecuador participated in a workshop focused on Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas (ACUS),  a subnational conservation figure in Ecuador administered at the provincial and municipal level. The workshop, organized by Corporación BYOS through the support of the Andes Amazon Fund, was geared towards strengthening Ecuador’s ACUS network and exchanging experiences. 

Juan Alfonso Morales, councilor for the Municipality of Cotacachi, emphasized the importance of the meeting: “This significant event brings together representatives from the Central and Northern Sierras, and the Amazon region with a common goal: the protection of ecosystems. By preserving biodiversity, we also safeguard life in all its forms.”

The participants were representatives of eight ACUS projects at different stages of implementation. These include the Pueblo Kichwa de Rukullakta ACUS which covers lowland rainforest in the ecologically important Amazon-Andes transition and the Urcu Yaku Kamak ACUS which safeguards high altitude páramo wetlands, crucial for maintaining water security. The ACUS discussed in the workshop span varied terrain and each has unique ecological circumstances that make them critical areas to prioritize for conservation. 

During the event, Jaime Cevallos of Corporación BYOS, called on the participants to reflect: “Talking about the ACUS is talking about life itself, how we live it and how we care for it. This meeting space is essential to mitigate the effects of a changing climate, through collaborative action and shared responsibility.”

Through the different activities, which included in-depth conversations, practical experience sharing, and a field visit to an agroforestry site, the participants strengthened the ACUS network, learned about new communications skills for spreading awareness about their programmatic work, and shared experiences for improving the financial sustainability of their projects.

Ángel Jaramillo, representative of Nature and Culture International Ecuador and participant in the workshop highlighted the fundamental role that ACUS play in water security and territorial governance: “ACUS safeguard vital water sources for both rural and urban communities. Conservation is based on the leadership of local stakeholders. With more than 144 ACUS promoted by the municipal governments, it is time to move toward effective public policies that protect our natural and cultural heritage.” Other participants noted that, to ensure the long-term success of nature conservation alongside communities, an important first step is to combine the technical knowledge about the ACUS with active community participation and awareness. 

By successfully convening a group of experts on ACUS and experienced technical professionals, the workshop helped form a network of peers that is capable of sharing experiences and success stories to replicate across Ecuador’s different ACUS processes from pre-establishment to long-term management.