John,

Time is running out to expand the nature reserve we’re helping build in what might literally be the most species-rich place on Earth!

For two years we’ve been working with local partners Khamai to buy property after property and incorporate them into the Pitalala Reserve. And with a new fast-track mining law that just came into effect in Ecuador, it’s more urgent than ever before.

We have just WEEKS to raise enough to buy what our partners call “the most critical land acquisitions” in the mining-threatened area – and for a limited time they have a huge new matching grant that will double the impact of our community’s contribution!

The plots up for grabs are in an area that could immediately be legally exploited by mining companies, and one of the owners is about to leave the country and is primed to sell – to someone.

It needs to be us. We need to buy the land before the mining companies – and then keep it safe forever.

Can you chip in now to help buy this land fast – and protect it for good?

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The Pitalala Reserve is unlike 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 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.

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?

I'll donate $3I'll donate $4 I'll donate $5I'll donate $9I'll donate another amount

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.