Conservancy Signs Historic Agreement with Ecuador's Government to Make Conservation a Consideration in New Development Projects

February 9, 2006

On January 19, The Nature Conservancy signed an historic agreement with three Ecuadorian government agencies in charge of infrastructure development that will ensure that environmental considerations will now be taken into account in all future development projects.

Ecuadorian agencies have traditionally failed to address the environmental, social and economic impacts of the infrastructure projects that have been identified as a major threat to the country's biodiversity. Agencies signing the agreement include Ecuador’s Ministry of Infrastructure, National Council of Modernization (CONAM) and Provincial Council Consortium.

This agreement is part of an “early warning system” that will alert the Conservancy of upcoming infrastructure development plans and allow it to work with Ecuadorian agencies in an effort to minimize impacts on biodiversity.

Ecuador has an ambitious modernization and decentralization plan for its growing economy, including the construction of numerous infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation, health services, tourism and education in provinces across the country. The new agreement will allow federal and provincial governments to evaluate projects based upon both economic and conservation criteria.

“With this agreement, the Conservancy will be able to share its science-based knowledge to identify priority conservation areas before infrastructure projects start,” says Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Strategy Coordinator of the Conservancy’s Northern Tropical Andes Conservation Program.

“In addition, the agreement calls for the establishment of independent monitoring groups to hold the implementers of infrastructure projects accountable to their commitments.”

According to Roberto Troya, the Conservancy's Director of External Affairs for South America, “This is a unique opportunity for The Nature Conservancy to include environmental criteria in local and national development agendas of Ecuador. Proposed infrastructure projects will have environmental guidelines and sustainability standards that allow both the Ecuadorian state and the Conservancy to establish measures to protect the amazing biological diversity of this country.”

For More Information:

• Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Ecuador
  The Nature Conservancy is working with Ecuador’s leading environmental organizations to protect the country’s stunning biological diversity—from the mainland to the Galápagos Islands.
• Where We Work: Places We Protect in Ecuador
  Tropical highlands, cloud forests, coastal and marine areas, and undisturbed forests make up just aprt of the great places in Ecuador that the Nature Coservancy protects.
• How You Can Help: Donate Online to Support Our Efforts
  Your online donation helps us to protect great places in Ecuador.
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