Agroecology for farmers & nature health in Ecuador

Every dry season, the mountains surrounding the Cambugán Protected Forest in Ecuador face a growing threat: wildfires. What often begins as small agricultural burns can quickly spread across steep slopes, damaging forests, wildlife habitat, and the water sources that sustain local communities.

But something powerful is happening in the community of Jatumpamba.

During the first months of 2026, local residents have stepped forward to become Community Paraecologists a new generation of forest guardians working alongside Fundación Cambugán to prevent fires and protect their environment.

These community members are learning to monitor the landscape, identify fire risks, and safeguard the springs and streams that provide water to their families. Their commitment is turning concern into action.

One important step this year has been the monitoring of soil humidity and temperature sensors installed in areas previously damaged by fire. These tools allow both the community and researchers to better understand how ecosystems recover and how future fires can be prevented.

Field visits across the hillsides and water sources have reinforced an essential truth: protecting forests means protecting water, wildlife, and community livelihoods.

The dedication of these local guardians shows that lasting conservation begins with people who care deeply about their land.

But this work is just beginning. With your support, Fundación Cambugán can continue training community paraecologists, expand monitoring efforts, strengthen early fire-warning systems, and restore ecosystems damaged by fire.

Your donation helps local communities become the first line of defense against wildfires. Together, we can protect Cambugán’s forests, water, and wildlife for generations to come.

For decades, wildfires have seriously affected the buffer zone of the Cambugán Forest Protected Area, located near the community of Jatumpamba in northern Ecuador. More than 2,000 hectares of land have been burned, mostly due to pasture expansion. The result is devastating the eastern mountain has lost about 95% of its native vegetation, leading to severe water shortages for both people and animals.

Since the year 2000, Fundación Cambugán, together with the Jatumpamba community, has worked tirelessly to protect water sources and restore native forests. With sustained community engagement, we have succeeded in conserving more than 4,000 hectares of native forest, one of the best-preserved ecosystems in the San José de Minas region.

However, the growing impact of climate change with longer and drier seasons has made wildfires even more destructive, reminding us how urgent it is to strengthen prevention and restoration efforts.

Community Education: The Power of Knowledge and Unity

On September 28, Fundación Cambugán organized the workshop “The Impact of Fire and the Conservation of Water Sources”. The event brought together 35 community members, university professors and students from the University of Bonn (Germany), Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and FLACSO, along with our technical team.

Participants divided into two working groups:

• Team 1 discussed how fire affects the community and identified areas most impacted by recent wildfires, their causes, and the actions needed to prevent and manage them safely.
• Team 2 mapped local water sources, their uses, and ongoing protection efforts. This process helped families recognize the importance of their water systems and inspired new ideas for improving wastewater management and water efficiency.

The high level of participation and knowledge shared from young people to elders showed how deeply the community values its natural resources and how collective action can lead to real change.

Restoration and Research: Bringing the Cambugán Forest Back to Life

The following Sunday, community paraecologists, researchers from the University of Göttingen, and Fundación Cambugán staff visited burned areas within the Cambugán Forest buffer zone.
Together, they assessed sites for monitoring, control, and ecological recovery and carried out dendroclimatology studies analyzing tree rings to understand past climate conditions and guide future conservation strategies.

These scientific and community-based efforts are crucial to prevent new fires, restore biodiversity, and secure the long-term protection of the Cambugán Forest and its vital water sources.

Thank You for Making This Possible

The progress in the Cambugán Forest exists because of people like you. Your donations have allowed Fundación Cambugán and the Jatumpamba community to:

• Protect 4,000 hectares of forest,
• Educate and empower local families, and
• Build resilience against wildfires and climate change.

But our work is far from done. With your continued support, we can restore burned areas, expand community education, and safeguard water for future generations.

A Glimpse Into Our Work at the Cambugán Forest

Each photo tells a piece of our story from community workshops and participatory mapping to field research and forest restoration. Together with the people of Jatumpamba, Fundación Cambugán continues protecting the Cambugán Forest, restoring burned areas, and safeguarding the water that sustains life. Your support makes these moments possible. 

Your generosity keeps the Cambugán Forest alive.
Please consider making a donation today to help us continue protecting forests, conserving water, and empowering communities.

Together, we are growing hope, one tree, one drop, one action at a time.

Links:

• Field visit to Cambugan Forest buffer zone with paraecologists