Acción Andina’s Collective Journey to Restore and Protect the Andes By Stephanie Arellano, GFG Conservation Program Officer Since its inception, Acción Andina has achieved many milestones in restoring and conserving high-Andean ecosystems, becoming a regional initiative that inspires society through local leaders, organizations, and committed donors. What began as a shared dream has evolved into […]
Acción Andina
Why Forest Protection Matters
Only about 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) of high-Andean Polylepis forests remain — just 2–5% of their historical range. These ancient, slow-growing, and water-storing forests are both majestic and fragile. Protecting them has always been a top priority for our restoration initiative, Acción Andina. Thanks to new funding, we’ve been able to expand this work, […]
Financing the Future of the Andes: Creative, Realistic, and Rooted in Place
At Global Forest Generation, we’ve known from the beginning that restoring one million hectares of high-Andean native forests and safeguarding water for millions of people would require more than passion and partnerships. It would take a financial strategy as ambitious and grounded as the work itself. This may be one of the hardest parts of […]
Grit and Gumption: Bringing Back Ecuador’s Forests
Global Forest Generation’s Communications Director, Abby Metzger, reflects on community-led conservation and what it really takes to bring back nature. The piece was originally published in Traverse magazine. Read an excerpt here: I’m not going to make it to the top. Ninety minutes into the hike, we’ve just passed the old-growth clearing with 45 minutes […]
Dreaming the Future Together: Acción Andina Conservation Directors Gather in Lima
Recently, Lima became the heart of Andean conservation as directors from Acción Andina partners across South America gathered for a pivotal three-day summit. Hosted by ECOAN and Global Forest Generation, this international meeting offered a powerful space for reflection, strategy, and co-creation. Together, participants discussed the first five years of Acción Andina to understand achievements, […]
New Video: Inside Ecuador’s High-Altitude Forests
Ecuador’s majestic Chimborazo glacier is shrinking, threatening local water supplies. To combat this, Acción Andina—alongside conservation leaders and communities—is restoring high-altitude forests that capture moisture, regulate water cycles, and protect fragile ecosystems. Blending modern science with ancestral knowledge, this initiative ensures restoration is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. Follow Acción Andina President and […]
Our Ongoing Collaboration with The Earthshot Prize
In November 2023, our flagship initiative, Acción Andina, won The Earthshot Prize in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. It was a pinnacle moment for everyone involved in Acción Andina, and a milestone in our ongoing partnership with The Earthshot Prize (TEP) community. Since then, TEP has become more than a global award. It continues […]
New Study: What makes a forest restoration project truly successful?
A new study, co-authored by Acción Andina President Constantino “Tino” Aucca Chutas, dives deep into the social, economic, and governance factors that determine the success of high Andean forest restoration efforts. Key Insights from the Study: 💧Water security drives restoration – Local communities overwhelmingly restore forests to protect and improve water sources, reinforcing the Andean […]
Five Lessons In Building a Continent-wide Restoration Movement
Just over five years ago, Acción Andina began as an ambitious idea—a vision to restore the native forests of the Andes and protect vital ecosystems by empowering local communities. Today, we proudly work in six countries. Thanks to the international recognition we’ve received, we’ve been able to make tangible progress toward restoring the Andes. The […]
An Urgent Call To Act In The Andes
Imagine this: One wakes up in Ecuador’s highlands or capital, hoping for a hot shower, but there’s no electricity — worse, there’s no water. Why? Because of an environmental, water, and energy crisis. Though there are dams to generate electricity (some poorly built), five months of drought have left them at a third of their […]