{"id":187982,"date":"2024-09-01T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-01T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=187982"},"modified":"2025-07-15T10:10:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T09:10:46","slug":"meet-the-conservationists-proyecto-washu-brings-together-people-primates-and-forests-in-ecuador","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/meet-the-conservationists-proyecto-washu-brings-together-people-primates-and-forests-in-ecuador\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the conservationists: Proyecto Washu brings together people, primates and forests in Ecuador"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Trained as biologists, Nathalia and Felipe soon realised that the key to successful conservation lies in engaging the local communities. They embarked on a new journey in which socio-economic and ecological aspects are equally integral to Proyecto Washu’s mission: protecting Ecuador\u2019s endangered primates. Nathalia Fuentes, co-founder and co-director of Proyecto Washu together with Felipe Alfonso-Cortes, stresses, \u2018We only want to be passengers; the projects belong to the communities.\u2019<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: Odilia Zambrano from Crist\u00f3bal Col\u00f3n smelling a cocoa fruit she produced.<\/mark><\/em> \u00a9 Francesca Angiolani<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Today, on International Primate Day, the founders of the Ecuadorian NGO have an important message to the world. \u2018Primates are a true reflection of ourselves, reminding us that we are part of nature. Primates are wonderful beings with fascinating lives. They help maintain the balance of ecosystems, and protecting them is our responsibility as humans and a necessity for the future of the planet. This is why it is crucial to work alongside communities in conservation; together, we can ensure a sustainable future for both biodiversity and human well-being.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Planting the seed for Proyecto Washu<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Nathalia grew up in Ecuador’s bustling capital, Quito, yet always felt deeply connected to nature. \u2018I was the kind of kid who was always up in trees or digging in the garden.\u2019 Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, and Nathalia grew up surrounded by all kinds of species. \u2018During my studies, I observed wild monkeys for the first time. The very moment I saw them, I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life,\u2019 shares the conservationist.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Sadly, the howler monkeys that inspired Nathalia in her life mission died because their habitat was destroyed. \u2018This deeply affected me. Nevertheless, I continued my path. In a next research project, a professor encouraged me to think long term and provided us with the knowledge we needed for a conservation project.\u2019 Through this research project, Nathalia met Felipe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Felipe grew up in Colombia\u2019s capital Bogot\u00e1. \u2018My parents showed me documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. Those images inspired me to become a biologist. Only I did not want to make films, I wanted to observe the animals,\u2019 shares Felipe. \u2018During my studies, I finally had the opportunity to be far away from the city, surrounded by wildlife, and to meet spider monkeys for the first time. It was an adventure, but after a while I wondered if studying species was enough. What more could we do?\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The young biologists decided to take the advice of their professor: to think big. They started a conservation project in Ecuador: Proyecto Washu<\/a> was born.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Story continues below photo.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Felipe and Nathalia with part of the Tesoro Escondido community. \u00a9 Proyecto Washu<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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We were blinded at first, as we did not see cocoa was an opportunity: it connected a sustainable income for the communities with conservation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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