The most effective stewards of our planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems are those who live in close proximity and rely on its resources in their day-to-day lives.
How We Do It
The Pacific Forest of Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems on the planet. To preserve it, we collaborate with local communities to protect remaining forest and restore what has been lost through sustainable land-use practices. By empowering local communities to lead conservation efforts, we ensure that these solutions are sustainable, inclusive, and reflective of diverse viewpoints.
Education
We develop educational programs to provide local residents with the tools necessary to excel in their personal and professional lives, with a focus on women and youth.
Leadership
We work hand-in-hand with local communities to develop strong leadership and governance systems to ensure sustainable management of the landscape
Economic
We address the lack of job opportunities in the region through the development of sustainable economic models.
The Challenges
Poor Education
Local schools lack the resources and personnel required to provide a quality education.
More than 40% of kids abandon their education before finishing primary school.
Poverty
A lack of job opportunities in the region has pushed nearly half of the population to depend on welfare programs.
71% of families in Camarones live on less than $150 per month.
Delinquency & Violence
Gang activity in the region is a negative influence on local youth who have few opportunities.
Gang recruitment begins in the public school system as early as primary school.
Our Programs
Education
Environmental Classes
TMA and local partners provide weekly classes and field trips for teenagers, encouraging environmental participation and awareness. The classes explore a range of subjects that highlight the profound relationship between thriving ecosystems and human well-being. Graduates of the program transition to our Youth Leadership Program to further hone their skill sets in community-based conservation activities.
School Transportation
TMA offers support to local youth whose families struggle to afford the high cost of transportation to send their kids to school. Nearly 50 kids from the community of Camarones now use the service.
Youth Recreation & Education Center
TMA, together with local families and the Camarones Women’s Group, are co-creating a state-of-the-art recreation and education center in the community of Camarones. The space, which will be used as a hub for all community-based activities, will foster creativity and skill-building in the next generation of local leaders.
Leadership
Community Forests Program
TMA is working with local communities to build a 31,000-acre conservation corridor called the Capuchin Corridor. The Community Forests Program (in Spanish, Bosques Comunitarios) integrates local communities in the conservation process and provides them with a financial incentive to actively protect large tracts of forest in their own watersheds. Funding incentives are based on conservation results; funding only continues if the forest remains intact. Communities use this funding to invest in education and socio-economic improvements for the community as a whole. Learn More
Youth Leadership Program
In parallel to the Community Forests Program, TMA is working hand-in-hand with local youth (aged 12-25) to ensure they have the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the Capuchin Corridor and become catalysts for change in their communities. At its core is the design and implementation of a participatory governance structure that allows the next generation of local leaders to collaborate on important decision-making processes within their community.
Economic
Regenerative Agroforestry Program
TMA equips farmers to restore degraded land by cultivating premium cacao and a diversity of other food-producing trees and native species. Chocolate companies purchase this cacao at premium prices. This boosts local livelihoods, increases local food security, restores biodiversity, and removes CO2 from the atmosphere. The program started in 2021 and now includes over 80 farmers across 5 communities, and growing every year. Learn More…
Cacao Processing Center
TMA built a large-scale cacao processing facility in the community of Camarones. Cacao produced by farmers in TMA’s Regenerative Agroforestry program is fermented and dried here, and then sold at premium prices to participating chocolate companies like To’ak and Mindo Chocolate. The processing facility is fully staffed and managed by local residents of Camarones. Learn More…
