Maquipucuna began in 1985 with the founders
and current directors Rodrigo Ontaneda and Rebeca Justicia. As young people
they decided that something needs to be done in order to protect the Ecuadorian
rainforest. With fundraising and university support from the US, they started
with a 2400 hectare (6000 acre) parcel of land, and named the conservation
foundation Maquipucuna, which means “tender hand”. From that point on,
continued financial support and scientific research caused the reserve, and
Maquipucuna’s vision, to grow. In 1989 the reserve received Protected Forest
status from the
