Mushullakta is one of 17 Kichwa communities in the ancestral territory of Rukullakta, which spans 100,000 acres of tropical forest adjacent to the 500,000-acre Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park. As ancestral protectors, Mushullakta is restoring 370 acres of deforested land and protecting 740 acres of primary forest, home to monkeys, harpy eagles, and jaguars. Over 40 individuals benefit socio-economically. Expansion plans aim to bring in more families and eventually extend across all 17 Rukullakta communities, impacting up to 2,000 people.

The Pintag Amaru collective, a group of Indigenous educators and leaders in the Andes, is restoring native forests and re-storying their Kichwa Kitu Kara identity. They combat the legacy of toxic agriculture and cattle ranching through reforestation and water conservation, protecting mountain-fed streams and rivers. With eight years of community education experience, they train families in sustainable agriculture, regenerative water systems, and bioconstruction. Expansion will integrate neighboring communities, especially those with significant páramo ecosystems vital for carbon sequestration and water production, benefiting thousands of residents.

In Mushullakta, middle and high school students often must leave their community to study in cities. This program allows 15 students to remain with their families while focusing on forest conservation, sustainable practices, and cultural survival. They study Kichwa, Spanish, and English, and take excursions to biodiverse and historical sites. The curriculum covers math, entrepreneurship, bioconstruction, regenerative agriculture, ancestral knowledge, and the arts. Expansion aims to share this model with other communities and eventually set a trend across the Amazon, preparing a new generation of forest protectors.

Over 40 years, Omar Tello and his family transformed 17 acres of pasture into native tropical forest, creating a botanical garden that showcases Amazonian species. The site doubles as a community education center and nursery for regional reforestation. Omar’s family collects seeds across the Amazon, stores them in a climate-controlled seed bank, and propagates them to support Indigenous restoration. They currently supply seedlings to over 10 communities. Expansion plans include scaling seed collection from thousands to millions annually and at least doubling the number of beneficiary communities.

Restorers Lexie and Luis have restored nearly 25 acres of native forest and learned to process medicinal extracts from plants, trees, and mushrooms. Their program links conservation with income generation by producing natural lotions, essential oils, and mushroom extracts. They also train Indigenous peoples in sustainable harvesting and processing. Expansion plans include extending their educational program to more communities and building a commercial network for sustainably harvested forest products.