Yachana Reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Yachana Foundation is protecting nature with support from the Uon.Earth community.

1,000 m²
protected
2026
member since
10,000,000 m²
total area size

Yachana Reserve

Long-term rainforest protection through ownership, community
engagement, education, and research.

The Yachana Foundation believes that a bright future depends on the ability to preserve and care for our world and especially, the Amazon Rainforest. They contribute to the conservation of the world’s largest rainforest, and help care for the unique biodiversity that is found here.

The Yachana Reserve consists of primary and secondary lowland rainforest. It functions as a “Bosque Protector” (Protected Forest) and is part of an ecological corridor to nearby national parks.

Bio Region

Central Amazonian Forests (NT19)

Threats

Threats include deforestation, land clearing, hunting, and biodiversity loss.

Method

The reserve serves as both a biological station and a destination for sustainable geotourism through the Yachana Lodge. Profits from the lodge support local social projects, including a technical high school that provides vocational training for indigenous youth in fields like sustainable agriculture and ecotourism.

Key Species

The reserve consists largely of primary lowland rainforest, home to exotic wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, ocelots, and hundreds of bird species.

Community

Yachana is a community-driven conservation and education initiative. The foundation supports the local Kichwa and Mestizo populations through vocational training in fields like sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and forest management. A central part of the community project is the award-winning Yachana eco-lodge that provides the primary funding for the foundation’s social and educational programs.

Fun Fact

'Yachana' translates to 'a place for learning' in the indigenous Kichwa language.