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October – December 2010

Events/visits
On October 3rd Pedro participated in an event organized by the Network of Forests in Private Hands (Red de Bosques Privados) in Miraflores, Pichincha. The goal of this association is to protect their forests on a long-term basis, exchanging experiences concerning their sustainable use in an effort to get more people interested in this kind of management. Around 20 participants of the Pichincha subgroup came together and spent the day discussing various topics with respect to the goal.
 
A second invitation followed on December 11th, this time in Yunguilla, Pichincha. Pedro, Edith, Manuela and three volunteers from „Weltwärts“ participated. Besides exchanging the latest news, work was done in planting native trees around the village of Yunguilla.

 

Our new neighbour Diego Cardenas asked us to help him to design a sustainable management plan for his farm, which measures 100 ha. Nearly 80 ha are native forest. During the months of November and December we had several meetings and excursions to his property. Apart from recommending reduced but improved management of the diary activity (milk cows), we suggested reforestation of very steep pastures, using some of the more accessible ones for a shaded coffee plantation. The part of the forest adjacent to the road should get a trail system and would be available for research for student groups from the Central University of Quito. Diego accepted our ideas and started to put them into practice.

On November 29th, 20 students from the Military University of Quito (ESPE) attended a one-day workshop in Mindo Lindo. Pedro showed them all relevant working steps regarding reforestation. The students then eagerly began replanting our property with tree ferns, Cedros, Mayos, and other native species.

Following an invitation from the Environmental Attorneys Board „Ecolex“, on December 15 Pedro and I participated in a Forum of „Social-environmental conflicts“ in Quito. Unfortunately (and not just recently under our actual government with President Rafael Correa) there is a large gap of non-acceptance between the environmental policy of the government and the commitment towards sustainable management of natural ressources defended by Ecuadorian NGO’s. The different speakers weren´t very optimistic with respect to improving this very stressful situation. Unfortunately Pedro and I returned home in a rather frustated mood.

New additions at the Environmental Training Centre
Pedro and Lisandro have been very busy, recently completing 90% of the large front balconies.   The new concrete poles that have been installed will support the roof over the entrance steps. Furthermore, Pedro prepared the concrete platform at the back of the centre on which the recently purchased emergency water tank of 2500 l is now standing. A plumber from Otavalo installed the connections. In order to make it work efficiently we had to buy a powerful pump and located it inside the gentlemen’s rest room. Primarily during the rainy season we are faced with a problem that the direct water connection does not function (the filter for the main distribution tank located some 15 km away gets blocked). With the new emergency tank it will be easier to overcome this problem.

 

Guided Tours
Besides the usual nature tours on our property for the ever increasing number of our lodging guests in Mindo Lindo, I had the opportunity to guide a group of 14 people from the Heidelberg region for 11 days. This tour was organized by „Sommerfernreisen“. For the first time I had the opportunity to serve as their tour leader for 4 days at the Napo Wildlife Centre inside the Yasuni National Park at the beginning of November. We were overwhelmed by the impressive biodiversity! Among others, we observed 9 different species of monkeys including the smallest in the world, the Pygmy Marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea) with a maximum weight of 150 g.   Also seen was the Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus), which weighs up to 12 kg.

The ornithological highlight for me was the close encounter with a pair of Lunulated Antbirds (Gymnopithys lunulatus), a species only rarely observed in Ecuador. „Working“ is really not the correct term regarding the attendance of this group. It was a real pleasure – so much so that I plan to visit some of them in 2012 in Heidelberg.

Some interesting news on birds and wildlife
We started to compile a list of all the reptiles found in Mindo Lindo. So far with just 6 species identified, it’s presently a very short list, be we’re hopeful it will grow in number with the help of our friend and reptile specialist, James Christensen. In the link „Mindo Lindo“ you can find the list.
Our bird list grew in number as well: I added 2 new species at the end of 2010 for Mindo Lindo: the Bananaquit and the White-lined Tanager, usually ocurring more in the lowlands. With their addition, you can now observe 215 bird species at our reserve!
Another highlight: our former pet, the Choco Toucan named Lorenzo came back again on October 2nd. This time he was accompanied by an attractive female toucan (or should „Lorenza“ have presented us an attractive male?). We were really happy for Lorenzo. Well, you never know... perhaps one day he will visit us along with his offspring!
On November 4th Edith discovered two nests of the same species, the Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus). One contained 1 egg, the other 2. The first nest was successfull. The two young hatched after 13 days of incubation and left the nest after 15 days on December 1st. The other nest was robbed when the young were 4 days old.

As we have done in years past, we participated in the Christmas Bird Count, this time on December 18. The event is organized by the Audubon Society/USA. Last year our team in Mindo won the World Championship in several categories. For more information, please look at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count. Here in Mindo Lindo, my team and I counted nearly 100 species within 14 hours in 4 ha.!

Volunteers in Mindo Lindo
After Julia had left us to head to Piet, we welcomed Simone Maxand from my home village Bonn-Holzlar. Among other things, Simone accomplished her own project of building a Stepp-bed near our house for pot-herbs and medicinal plants. She had to construct walls made of bamboo, create paths and provide compost. I finally had the easy task of planting many different herbs. Furthermore, she assisted Pedro and Lisandro with their carpentry work. After one month – at the beginning of November – Simone finished her volunteer work and started her South America Tour. Thank you very much – Simone – for your dynamic help!
 
Julia returned and helped for a couple of days. Barbara and Sarah from the „Weltwärts-Programm“ also helped us on several afternoons, including gardening or helping with the endless task of painting signs for the trails in the forest.

 

Integral Project from Puntos Verdes in the village community of San Sebastian de Pachijal
Pedro, Simone, Barbara and Sarah worked nearly every week for the past 3 months in San Sebastian. Occasionally Johanna and Theresa helped as well. Clearly the main effort was done by the first group. Together with the village locals they worked together with waste management and started with the family vegetable gardens. Once the rainy season started in mid-December they had to temporarily abandon the work. When the rains slow, we will continue with the sowing and planting.

New: Training project in cooperation with the German School in Quito
Pedro and I had an idea to develop a school youth hostal, located near Lake San Pablo in the Imbabura Province, as an environmental centre for the students. In close cooperation with the President of the parent organization, Benno Bührich, and the Director of the primary school, Stephan Matthies, we designed the following concept: in the next year we will construct a green house (20 x 30 m) and replace the existing eucalyptus forest with native trees. This will be accomplished with the help of the students. A trail with information signs will provide directions through the forest. Visits to this kind of „Green Classroom“ will be obligatory for the classes. Presently the rector’s office has agreed to the plan and the financial director needs to start making his calculations.

 

Pedro‘s dream: a small Japanese Garden
In December Pedro fulfilled a very personal dream: with help from Edith and Manuela he created a wonderful little Japanese Stone Garden that invites one to peaceful contemplation.

 

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