Protect an Acre of Rainforest in Ecuador

The CSF is a “one-stop shop”: by giving to us, you’re aiding the survival of everything from newborn river turtles, to one million acres of rainforest territory, to two thousand Cofan individuals who are fighting to maintain their health, knowledge, language, culture, and autonomy. With your help, the Cofan will survive another 500 years as a thriving Indigenous Nation that will inspire us to imagine—and create—a world in which cultural and biological diversity are not doomed to disappear.

Zábalo residents began repopulating the Aguarico River with Amazonian river turtles, a threatened species, decades ago. With creativity, determination, and the support of people like you, the turtle populations first stabilized and then grew. Not long ago, one could travel the entire Aguarico River and not see a single river turtle. Now, if you’re in Zábalo’s territory, you’ll see hundreds if not thousands sunning themselves on beaches and logs. The turtles are perfect symbols of how an Indigenous community, committed scientists, and international donors can collaborate to return an imperiled planet to health.

We’ve been working nonstop: helping Cofan people battle illegal gold miners, protecting Cofan land rights in court, enrolling Cofan families in healthcare and eldercare programs, managing community-conservation projects, and convincing the Ecuadorian state to put park-guard positions and carbon-sequestration revenues in the hands of Cofan people. 

Some very sad news has also diverted our attention. At least two Cofan elders have died since we last wrote. In addition, a Cofan leader in the community of Dureno—Eduardo Mendua—was killed in February. His death was part of the Cofan’s long struggle to survive the horrors of oil extraction. We knew Eduardo well. We’re monitoring the situation closely and ready to help in any way we can.