Skip to content
Andes Amazon Fund
  • Impact
    • Overview
    • Where We Work
    • Grantees
  • About
    • Team
    • Donors
    • Careers
  • News
    • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • Events
  • Donate
  • Contact
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
Andes Amazon Fund
  • Impact
    • Overview
    • Where We Work
    • Grantees
  • About
    • Team
    • Donors
    • Careers
  • News
    • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • Events
  • Donate
  • Contact
November 13, 2020

What’s the Buzz All About? 60,599 Acres of Habitat Conserved for Native Bees in Ecuador

By Andrea Díaz

On November 12th, the Puyango Municipal Conservation Area in Loja, Ecuador was expanded by 60,599 acres with AAF support. The reserve now protects 71,622 acres of precious humid forest as well as rare tropical dry forest. Puyango is one of the first reserves created in Ecuador dedicated to the protection of native stingless bees, hard-working pollinators whose presence is vital to nutritious food production. Given the dwindling population of bees worldwide due to loss of habitat, pesticides and climate change, this particular conservation effort is exemplary of how even our smallest insects play a tremendous role in the function and health of our overall ecosystems and economies.

Through the collaboration of AAF grantee Nature and Culture International, the local communities were trained in reforestation, beekeeping, and honey harvesting techniques so that honey production can increase as these pollinators are protected. According to Milton Guaicha from Meliponas “Thanks to the bees, people are becoming aware that they should no longer deforest.” The community now has 4,600 domesticated beehives, benefitting approximately 160 families.

In addition to bees, Puyango’s expanded reserve includes vital habitat for one of Southern Ecuador’s last populations of mantled howler monkey. Other significant species that find their home in the area include the endangered grey-cheeked parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera) and the vulnerable American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Additionally, the reserve’s forests safeguard critical water sources for the communities that live nearby.

This expansion of the Puyango Municipal Conservation Area was a result of collaboration between Nature and Culture International, the Municipality of Puyango, FORAGUA, and communities from the Mancomunidad of Meliponas. Support was provided by the Andes Amazon Fund as well as Belgium Cooperation and BOS+.

View map of area

Posted in Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Ecuador, News, Sustainability
Share this

MAKE AN IMPACT

Learn how we can make an impact in our world together. Donate or get involved by subscribing to our email list:

* indicates required

Latest News

  • New Conservation Area in Ecuadorian Andes Protects Vital Water Sources May 23, 2022
  • New Conservation Concession in the Cloud Forests of Peru Expands Corridor of Protected Areas April 25, 2022
  • Municipality of Cobija in northwestern Bolivia Safeguards Water Resources for 80,000 People by Establishing New Protected Area April 22, 2022
  • Municipal Conservation Area in Bolivia Expands Protection of Madidi National Park Buffer Zone March 31, 2022
  • 2021 Review and Impact Report March 24, 2022

Make an impact

Learn how we can make an impact on our world together.

Donate or Get Involved
 

Make an impact.

Learn how we can make an impact on our world together.

Donate or Get Involved
a: 1759 1/2, R St NW #200, Washington, DC 20009
e: info@andesamazonfund.org
Impact Report
  • Impact
  • Overview
  • Where We Work
  • Grantees
  • Resources
  • About
  • Team
  • Donors
  • News
  • Subscribe
  • Donate
  • Contact

© 2022 Andes Amazon Fund | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Website by Yoko Co

Scroll To Top