Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve

Established by Third Millennium Alliance in 2007, the Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve protects 824 acres (333 hectares) of Pacific Equatorial Forest in coastal Ecuador. 

• Located at 0° latitude and only 5 miles from the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the reserve climbs from 846 to 2,290 feet (256-698 meters) above sea level
• Contains tropical moist evergreen forest, premontane cloud forest, with transitions to both semi-deciduous forest and tropical rainforest
• Endangered species include as many as 6 species of felines and 2 species of monkey
• Protects the headwaters of the Camarones River and three tributaries
• Culminates at one of the highest peaks on the coast of Ecuador (“Cerro Sagrado” peak)
• The Jama-Coaque Reserve (pronounced "Hama Ko-Ah-Kay") takes its name from the ancient civilization that thrived in the region from 355 B.C. to 1532 A.D.

Projects

• We are currently working to expand the Jama-Coaque Reserve through strategic land acquisition of unprotected rainforest and cloud forest to the southwest (172 acres) and north (69 acres), with the opportunity to expand into unprotected forest in the neighboring valley (over 700 acres).
• The reserve is administrated from the “Bamboo House” Research Station, which serves as a center for biological investigation and sustainable systems research, where we grow our own food and manage the land according to the principles of permaculture design, with a particular focus on appropriate technology and reforestation.
• A field survey of ocelots and other endangered mammals is currently being carried out through the use of motion-triggered cameras placed along trails in the Reserve. This field survey is a pilot survey to be expanded on a regional scale throughout the Pacific Equatorial Forest.