Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Ecuador

Santa Lucia is a Conservation and Tourism Cooperative that implements Sustainable Productive Alternatives for the Conservation of Our Forests for Future Generations and Respects the Values of Community Members. With its unique location in the cloud forest, Santa Lucía has always been a hotspot for scientists and students. The lodge is located at around 1.950m, but the reserve stretches from 1.300m to 2.500m and while 80% of it is covered with pristine montane rainforest the existing trails allow for access to forest in all elevations. Santa Lucía is the perfect place to study not only the primary forest but also successional vegetation (pastures, reforested areas, and naturally-grown secondary forest). We have hosted and run dozens of projects over the last 15 years. Long-time relations with universities and researchers from all over the world enabled us to learn about the (wild)life in our reserve. We have also gained profound experience in hosting scientists and student groups.