Chapter 2, Part Uno: Mi corazón, Maquipucuna

In a land far far away..

            In the Mountains of the Andes,

                        The Clouds of the Rainforest

                                    And the Sun of the Equator.

There lies a place so enchanting and fresh your heart will take a deep breath and smile.

The Reserve of Maquipucuna

Fundacion Maquipucuna (Ma-kee-poo-coo-na) is a non-profit organization established in 1988, whose mission is the conservation and sustainable management of Ecuador’s biodiversity.

Approximately 50 miles northwest of Quito, the Capital of Ecuador.

The reserve is 16,000 acres of indescribable beauty and ecological value that stretch from 2,950 to 8,800 feet above sea level.

20% of Ecuador’s plant and bird diversity have been registered at the Maquipucuna Reserve.

For those of us (like myself before discovering Maqui) who have little to no idea of biodiversity and the incredible importance of Ecuador.

Here are some enlightening facts to wrap your head around:

Ecuador is a small country, but it is blessed with one of the highest biological diversified lands in the world.

As I previously described in the last entry, the main reasons for Ecuador’s biodiversity are the vastly different terrains, the tropical location on the equator, the high Andes mountain range, the two major ocean currents along its coast and the deep and wild Amazon Rainforest.

{ Maquipucuna is located in or around all of this. }  

There is an estimate of some 25,000 species of plants alone in Ecuador, Compared to 17,000 species in all of North America.

There are 1,600 birds found in Ecuador, more than half of the 3,000 species of birds in all of South America and more than double the species in Europe.

Species of 369 mammals known, most mammals per square meter worldwide.

The number of invertebrates, especially the insects are unknown but they are the most numerous of any living creatures, reaching into the hundred of thousands. 

There is an estimate of some 25,000 species of plants alone in Ecuador, Compared to 17,000 species in all of North America.

There are 1,600 birds found in Ecuador, more than half of the 3,000 species of birds in all of South America and more than double the species in Europe.

I never would claim to be an expert in any of these subjects. On the contrary, I knew little of the science of nature before coming to Ecuador. Only while living at Maquipucuna have I learned of its true value and importance, the real reasons to appreciate it.

I have this to thank for many of the Maquipucuna workers, especially the amazing Arcenio, and for all of the scientists and guests, which have awakened my curiosity to the knowledge of the living rainforest.

Many interesting field observations have allowed me to understand how so many living creatures can work so simultaneously together creating the strong and rich biodiversity of the rainforest.

When you are there….

All you hear and all you see is nature.

Every sensation comes alive, every breath is deep and fresh, every sound if vibrant and alive and every color is pure and exotic.

Perfect harmony.

Once you find a place like this, you will never leave it.

 It will capture your heart, tu corazón.

And it will intertwine your love for life with your love for nature. 

And it will stay this way for the rest of your circulations around the sun.

This is a story I want to tell. 

These are people I want you to know. 

This is a place I want you to appreciate. 

This is a life I want you to share. 

And this is the #LoveMaqui I want you to spread.

The view of Maquipucuna from my bedroom

A waterfall

Bird watching with Arcenio

Ruffus Mott Mott