Reserva Yanacocha

Even a rainy day at the Yanacocha Reserve is an amazing experience. Walking through the moss-clad temperate forest and Polylepis woodland on the side of Volcán Pichincha at about 10,000' yields a great array of high altitude Andean birds. With the great diversity of hummingbirds in the area, scientists are studying what plants they pollinate and working with local communities to turn cultivation of these plants into a sustainable income for the communities and a reforestation project for local land owners.

Andean Guan

Golden-breasted Puffleg

White-throated Screech-Owl

Shining Sunbeam

Local woman who are being trained to manage the native plant nursery BirdLife and it Ecuadoran Partner, Aves y Conservacion established in the community

Signage explaining the reforestation project of Polylepis forest, a unique, endangered Andean ecosystem

Aves y Conservacion research has resulted in a list of plant and trees that are key for hummingbird and other pollinators survival. These are the plants being grown at their nursery

Aves y Conservacion then works with the local communities to mobilize volunteers who are working to reforest more the 60 acres that surround their homes.