This project aims to reduce threats to the critical ecosystems of the podocarpus-yacuri connectivity corridor (ccpy) in southern ecuador by strengthening the governance mechanism of the corridor,…

This $185,138.14 Project Grant award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Latin America and Caribbean Regional Program (CFDA 15.640) aims to reduce threats to the critical ecosystems of the Podocarpus-Yacuri Connectivity Corridor (CCPY) in southern Ecuador. Key activities include: (1) establishing two technical conservation-focused working groups to support CCPY governance, (2) training local stakeholders to produce biodiversity data for decision-making, (3) training and equipping stakeholders for integrated fire management, and (4) forming at least five fire brigades in prioritized CCPY communities and an interinstitutional fire management committee. The grant was awarded to the non-profit organization Nature And Culture International, which specializes in environmental preservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable community development in Latin America.

This project aims to reduce threats to the critical ecosystems of the podocarpus-yacuri connectivity corridor (ccpy) in southern ecuador by strengthening the governance mechanism of the corridor, supporting good conservation decision-making, and strengthening local capacity for integrated fire management. Activities will include: (1) establish two technical conservation-focused working groups with work plans to support the governance of the ccpy (2) train local stakeholders to produce biodiversity data to inform decision-making (3) train and equip strategic local stakeholders for integrated fire management (4) form at least five fire brigades in prioritized communities of the ccpy and an interinstitutional fire management committee.