Árbol co(n)razón is a non-profit association based in Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, founded in November 2017 to protect and restore tropical rainforests. The organization is a dynamic team of experienced advocates dedicated to protecting nature and managing natural resources sustainably. Through native reforestation projects, they regenerate valuable habitats for endangered species while effectively combating climate change. The organization supports nature-based reforestation, educational programs, and ecological agriculture practices that preserve tropical soil fertility and prevent further deforestation.
Project story
In southern Ecuador’s Andean Dry Forest, we restore degraded landscapes while empowering the communities who depend on them. In Tumianuma, our work has planted 25,000+ native trees and established women-led agroforestry plots that improve food security and generate income.
Yet, ecological recovery cannot endure without economic resilience. Our central challenge is the lack of sustainable revenue streams for local families, which threatens long-term stewardship. To solve this, we are launching a community-based tourism initiative.
Prize funding will directly bridge the capacity gap: training local women and youth as certified eco-guides, supporting families to safely host visitors, and completing low-impact mountain trails.
This creates a self-reinforcing cycle: healthy ecosystems attract responsible travelers, visitor spending supports local households, and economic ownership ensures the forest remains protected.
By integrating reforestation, agroecology, and ethical tourism, we prove that conservation and community prosperity must grow together. Your support will transform this vision into a replicable model of lasting resilience.
Project updates
Team
Roots & Routes
Árbol co(n)razón is a non-profit association based in Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, founded in November 2017 to protect and restore tropical rainforests. The organization is a dynamic team of experienced advocates dedicated to protecting nature and managing natural resources sustainably. Through native reforestation projects, they regenerate valuable habitats for endangered species while effectively combating climate change. The organization supports nature-based reforestation, educational programs, and ecological agriculture practices that preserve tropical soil fertility and prevent further deforestation.
Project story
In southern Ecuador’s Andean Dry Forest, we restore degraded landscapes while empowering the communities who depend on them. In Tumianuma, our work has planted 25,000+ native trees and established women-led agroforestry plots that improve food security and generate income.
Yet, ecological recovery cannot endure without economic resilience. Our central challenge is the lack of sustainable revenue streams for local families, which threatens long-term stewardship. To solve this, we are launching a community-based tourism initiative.
Prize funding will directly bridge the capacity gap: training local women and youth as certified eco-guides, supporting families to safely host visitors, and completing low-impact mountain trails.
This creates a self-reinforcing cycle: healthy ecosystems attract responsible travelers, visitor spending supports local households, and economic ownership ensures the forest remains protected.
By integrating reforestation, agroecology, and ethical tourism, we prove that conservation and community prosperity must grow together. Your support will transform this vision into a replicable model of lasting resilience.
Project updates
Team
Location
Ecuador
Round 3
Jul 1-21, 2026
Supporting community-led nature projects around the world.
Matching funds provided by
