Tena, Ecuador, October 2026
In January 2023, Ishpingo and A Tree for You launched the fourth phase of the project in Tena, alongside the Kichwa communities of Pukachikta and Pukaurku, in the province of Napo, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Three and a half years later, as the project draws to a close, the results speak for themselves: 9,190 trees planted, 40 families involved, and a forest gradually reclaiming its place.
A remote area, a real challenge
The two communities of Pukachikta and Pukaurku, in the Misahualli area, are extremely remote. For their livelihoods, the people here depend mainly on selling cassava, bananas, and maize.In this modest agricultural region, environmental and socio-economic challenges are closely intertwined. We chose to tackle this joint challenge together with local families.
2023: launching the project phase
From the very first year, everything was put in place: creation of the beneficiary group, a reforestation plan developed, and three community nurseries established. The families trained together during traditional collective work sessions, known as mingas, learning how to make organic fertiliser, collect seeds, and care for young seedlings.
Between August and December 2023, 9,190 trees left the nurseries to be planted on 40 family farms. They were carried by hand,transported by wheelbarrow or basket, or, for the most remote plots, delivered with the help of Ishpingo‘s truck. Thirteen timber species — all threatened and increasingly rare in the region — and 18 local fruit species were thus provided new ground to grow on.
2024–2026: time for monitoring
Planting is just the first step. Over the following three years, technical teams returned each plot five times – to assess the overall condition of the trees, measure their growth, and train farmers in pruning and maintenance. A major drought in 2024 fortunately had no lasting impact, thanks to the timely application of foliar fertiliser.
Results meet the target
By the project end, the average survival rate had reached the target of 80%. On several plots, especially in Pukachikta-Moretal, it even exceeded 90%. Growth was rated good to excellent almost everywhere, notably where the trees were integrated with cash crops such as cocoa — a choice that benefits both the trees and grower families.
The first fruit harvests are expected as early as 2027, with the families particularly looking forward to gathering citrus fruits.
Success, first and foremost on a human level
Beyond the figures, this project tells the story of 40 families who welcomed the trees onto their land and cared for them year after year. Their openness to the advice provided, commitment during monitoring visits, and pride in showing the teams their plots all left a strong impression on the teams working in the field.
Thank you to everyone who made this project happen. Through your support, 7,352 trees are now growing in the Ecuadorian Amazon, nurtured by the hands of people who care for them every day.
Ishpingo and A Tree for You have been partners since 2020. Monitoring of the fourth planting phase, launched in 2023, has now come to an end. New planting phases are already underway in the region, with the aim being to continue and strengthen the human and environmental impacts of the project.
