[ [link removed] ]A spotted jaguar stands in shallow, muddy water near the entrance of a
dark cave, its golden fur contrasting with the damp, moss-covered rock.
Its intense gaze is fixed forward, framed by the lush greenery surrounding
its hidden refuge.
John,
This is mind-blowing: there’s a place in the Amazon that scientists argue
has more species per square kilometer than anywhere else on the
planet. Ferocious jaguars, emerald green boas, powerful harpy eagles, shy
tapirs, and more…all sharing the same forest home (see lots of pictures
below!!)
But John, this pinnacle of biodiversity remains under critical
threat: the government of Ecuador just passed a law to fast-track mining
concessions in the area! It's what mining company TerraEarth has been
lobbying for all this time. The only way to stop them from ripping a mine
into the heart of this paradise is to buy up as much surrounding land as
possible, **becoming the land owners ourselves** and forcing the mining
companies out of the area.
Actually, we’d help our local partner, Khamai, buy new land and
incorporate it into the neighbouring Pitalala reserve, which we already
helped them expand earlier this year. They're now targeting 25 more lots
to build out their haven for nature and scientific research, a rewilded
paradise protected forever. If we can act fast.
This sounds dramatic, but these are the stakes: can you chip in to help us
keep saving what might *literally* be the most species-rich place on
Earth?
[ [link removed] ]I'll donate
$3[ [link removed] ]I'll
donate
$4
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$9[ [link removed] ]I'll
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Expanding this protected area is urgent. Our partners say that “mines in
our area could be approved and proceed unstopped as soon as July. We can’t
just sit here with our arms crossed.” In fact, a plot of land across the
river was already grabbed by miners!
Nothing can undo what we’ve already done: Pitalala reserve is protected,
and Ekō’s logo graces a sign at the entrance as recognition for the
incredible contribution of the community.
But with the new law, mining companies will swoop in and could devastate
the surrounding area, with unknown effects for our reserve. That’s why our
partners have targeted 25 new land lots surrounding Pitalala to create a
buffer zone for this ecological wonderland.
Can you help rush payment for the land – Ekō’s contribution will be
DOUBLED by a generous donor – and fuel campaigns like this to protect
people and the planet from profit-hungry corporations, worldwide?
[ [link removed] ]I'll donate
$3[ [link removed] ]I'll
donate
$4
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This is what this incredible area should look like, pristine and untouched
– the part of the reserve that already exists:
[ [link removed] ]Aerial view of a lush green forest landscape seen from above. Wisps of
mist hang in it. A sunset with clouds in the distance.
But the surrounding land is being devastated:
[ [link removed] ]Aerial view of rainforest destruction. On the left side, trees are
flourishing. On the right side, the rainforest has been slashed down.
And it’s happening fast:
[ [link removed] ]Two satellite images side by side. On the left, an image from 2016
showing intact forest with a river course (Anzu River). On the right, an
image from 2025 with increased mining activities and damaged forest.
It’s hard to find a more obvious case for urgent conservation action. The
place that might have more species density than anywhere else on Earth vs
total devastation to mine gold.
And we have great partners to do it. Khamai works with local communities
Mulchiyacu and Zatzayacu, to promote sustainable economic alternatives to
illegal mining, like ecotourism and conservation-based employment, to
ensure there’s incentive to keep the land safe. They’ll also work to
restore land that has already been damaged, and eventually to get UNESCO
protection status for this irreplaceable piece of the planet.
John, our community has bought critically-threatened pieces
of nature before. But never in a place with *this* much natural
life…because there might not be another place on Earth to match it. Can
you chip in to buy and protect this part of the Ecuadorian Amazon – and
fuel campaigns like this to protect people and the planet from
profit-hungry corporations, worldwide?
[ [link removed] ]I'll donate
$3[ [link removed] ]I'll
donate
$4
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donate
$9[ [link removed] ]I'll
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We wanted to include a few more pictures of wildlife to share the richness
and beauty of this place.
Here’s a tapir, poking its head out:
[ [link removed] ]A tapir poking its head out of dense foliage.
A coiled Emerald Boa:
[ [link removed] ]Close-up of a coiled emerald green boa. Its head rests on its coiled
body.
A hiding Spix’s night monkey:
[ [link removed] ]Close-up of a Spix monkey poking its head out from a hole in a tree.
And a spectacular tree frog:
[ [link removed] ]Close-up of a vibrant green and orange tree frog.
Their home could be destroyed. Or we could prevent it. Join in:
[ [link removed] ]I'll donate
$3[ [link removed] ]I'll
donate
$4
[ [link removed] ]I'll donate
$5[ [link removed] ]I'll
donate
$9[ [link removed] ]I'll
donate another amount
Your donation will help power Ekō and our campaigns worldwide fighting
for people and the planet.
Thanks for all that you do,
Danny and the Ekō team
---------------------------------
More information:
[ [link removed] ]Urgent expansion of the Pitalala Reserve: Saving the Amazon rainforest
from gold mining Khamai Foundation
[ [link removed] ]New Mining Law in Ecuador Threatens Biodiversity and Indigenous
Territories Amazon Frontlines 26 February 2026
[ [link removed] ]Gold mining in the Amazon has doubled in area since 2018, AI tool
shows Mongabay 26 July 2024
Ekō is a worldwide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy.
Please help keep Ekō strong by chipping in $3. [link removed]
