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?

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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 and fuel campaigns like this to protect people and the planet from profit-hungry corporations, worldwide?

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This is what this incredible area should look like, pristine and untouched – the part of the reserve that already exists:

But the surrounding land is being devastated:

And it’s happening fast:

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?

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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:

A coiled Emerald Boa:

A hiding Spix’s night monkey:

And a spectacular tree frog:

Their home could be destroyed. Or we could prevent it. Join in:

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Your donation will help power Ekō and our campaigns worldwide fighting for people and the planet.