Making a Difference - Conservation through responsible sustainable tourism

Think Birding Ecuador passionately believe that sustainable and responsible travel to some of Ecuador’s richest birding areas has a key role to play in helping conserve these areas.

Below are some of the other ways we strive to minimise the impact of our trips and where possible generate a positive contribution towards protecting the wildlife and wildernesses we visit.

Community Owned and Managed

Amazanga Expeditions is an arm of the Napo Wildlife Center, one of the most successful Indigenous sustainable living eco-tourism projects in Ecuador and winner of the prestigious Rainforest Alliance “Community Sustainable Standard-Setter” award in 2009. All of the profits earned by Amazanga Expeditions are immediately reinvested in projects such as conservation, environmental education, academic education for their children and indigenous health.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism has recently recognized their model of sustainable community development as leading the way, and they are now advising other indigenous communities in Ecuador in a bid to replicate their success and share their knowledge for the benefit of communities across the country.

Responsible and Sustainable Trips

Think Birding Ecuador’s extensive network of local partners provides you with the opportunity to support the local economy while enjoying award winning levels of service. All of our trips and activities are carried out to the highest standards of sustainability.

Anangu Kichwa Community

The Añangu Kichwa Community live in their ancestral territory between the banks for the rivers Napo and Tiputini. Since the early 70´s they have been working to preserve 21,400ha of what is now the Yasuní National Park. In 2001 the government recognized this land as the Añangu Kichwa´s rightful home.

Throughout time, the Indians have maintained their Añangu traditions; cosmology, natural medicinal practices, ancestral techniques of using and managing natural resources, healing rituals used by the shamans or yachaj, customs and cuisine. The local Kichwa is their official language which gives them a very strong sense of cultural identity and historical heritage.

In 1998 the community members of Kichwa Añangu identified tourism as a way to generate income for the community while conserving their rainforest home. They are now 100% owners of the Napo Wildlife Center. They have successfully implemented environmentally friendly practices which have been recognized as the best example of community tourism in the country and have also won important international awards, including for the high standards of service and quality

Carbon Creditation through Rainforest Concern

In a bid to reduce the impact of the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2), we recommend that all of our clients offset the impact of their travel and get carbon credited through Rainforest Concern. The programme helps prevent vulnerable rainforests from being cut and burned as well as helping absorb CO2 from the atmosphere by re-establishing rainforest where it has been destroyed. For a long haul flight Rainforest Concern recommends a donation of £20, and £5 for a short haul flight.

More Information: Click here to find out more about our tailor-made birding watching holidays in Ecuador.

Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.