We Belong: Performing our first community trail in the Andean Chocó
Caoba de Monte is an arts-based, territory-focused process committed to the valorisation of collective knowledge, the strengthening of human networks, and the restoration of human and non-human ecosystems — activated through a contemporary library, education across all ages, collective memory, and collaborative work. The organization honours rural, cooperative, and traditional knowledge as legitimate and irreplaceable, while developing methodological initiatives around ecosystem restoration, arts and the safeguarding of collective knowledge. It also creates spaces of leisure, enjoyment and togetherness — all with the goal of strengthening the social fabric of Recinto El Progreso. Healthy soil and thriving social bonds are not parallel goals — they are considered the same work, carried out simultaneously and by the same hands. Its work is sustained through volunteering, actions and management of various national and international funds, in pursuit of long-term cooperative autonomy.
Project story
La pertenencia Sendero 1
- We belong Trail 1
A Community's Dream Takes Root
In 2022, Caoba de Monte invited neighbors to imagine community tourism together. However, the outcome was something far more profound; resulting on a shared vision for environmental stewardship and collective belonging.
The spark came from neighbor Nancy Chela's dream—to connect two nearby properties Finca San Agustin and Rancho Don Dario and create a hiking route that will allow it's visitors an immersive experience . What began as imagination became reality through horizontal dialogue between the ecosystem, people, and their individual inspirations.
The Trail
La Pertenencia, sendero 1 (We Belong Trail 1) winds 2.5 km through natural water, forest, and hillside pasture at an 510–630m elevation, within a Key Biodiverse Area in the Andean Chocó (variety of birds; 46 identified within the area, 640 within the Choco ecosystem 70 of which are endemic to the region). Considered the physical heart of the community tourism circuit, as a result of years of shared dialogue and communications.
Six Phases of Co-Creation
Over the course of 52 weeks, neighbors, knowledge holders, teenagers, Afro-descendant women, ecologists, musicians, and the input of non human beings will be considered to co-create a new imaginary of belonging through open, hands-on workshops::)
Ecological characterisation — establishing biodiversity baselines understanding amphibians and birds as bioindicators
Natural cosmetics — creating four products from trail-sourced ingredients
Trail design — following guidelines, collective planning, construction, and nature-based water systems
Ecological restoration — planting endemic and agroforestry species
Ceramic signage — forest-inspired visual markers with 0 footprint impact.
Boom del Bosque — a community inspired celebration weaving all elements and stages together from the planning the actual opening of the trail.
This is not just about planting trees anymore—it's about recovering memory, identity, and natural balance while activating meaningful, dignified and regenerative work opportunities, rooted in local knowledge and resources.
Project updates
Team
We Belong: Performing our first community trail in the Andean Chocó
Caoba de Monte is an arts-based, territory-focused process committed to the valorisation of collective knowledge, the strengthening of human networks, and the restoration of human and non-human ecosystems — activated through a contemporary library, education across all ages, collective memory, and collaborative work. The organization honours rural, cooperative, and traditional knowledge as legitimate and irreplaceable, while developing methodological initiatives around ecosystem restoration, arts and the safeguarding of collective knowledge. It also creates spaces of leisure, enjoyment and togetherness — all with the goal of strengthening the social fabric of Recinto El Progreso. Healthy soil and thriving social bonds are not parallel goals — they are considered the same work, carried out simultaneously and by the same hands. Its work is sustained through volunteering, actions and management of various national and international funds, in pursuit of long-term cooperative autonomy.
Project story
La pertenencia Sendero 1
- We belong Trail 1
A Community's Dream Takes Root
In 2022, Caoba de Monte invited neighbors to imagine community tourism together. However, the outcome was something far more profound; resulting on a shared vision for environmental stewardship and collective belonging.
The spark came from neighbor Nancy Chela's dream—to connect two nearby properties Finca San Agustin and Rancho Don Dario and create a hiking route that will allow it's visitors an immersive experience . What began as imagination became reality through horizontal dialogue between the ecosystem, people, and their individual inspirations.
The Trail
La Pertenencia, sendero 1 (We Belong Trail 1) winds 2.5 km through natural water, forest, and hillside pasture at an 510–630m elevation, within a Key Biodiverse Area in the Andean Chocó (variety of birds; 46 identified within the area, 640 within the Choco ecosystem 70 of which are endemic to the region). Considered the physical heart of the community tourism circuit, as a result of years of shared dialogue and communications.
Six Phases of Co-Creation
Over the course of 52 weeks, neighbors, knowledge holders, teenagers, Afro-descendant women, ecologists, musicians, and the input of non human beings will be considered to co-create a new imaginary of belonging through open, hands-on workshops::)
Ecological characterisation — establishing biodiversity baselines understanding amphibians and birds as bioindicators
Natural cosmetics — creating four products from trail-sourced ingredients
Trail design — following guidelines, collective planning, construction, and nature-based water systems
Ecological restoration — planting endemic and agroforestry species
Ceramic signage — forest-inspired visual markers with 0 footprint impact.
Boom del Bosque — a community inspired celebration weaving all elements and stages together from the planning the actual opening of the trail.
This is not just about planting trees anymore—it's about recovering memory, identity, and natural balance while activating meaningful, dignified and regenerative work opportunities, rooted in local knowledge and resources.
Project updates
Team
Location
Ecuador