Center for Conservation of Amazonian Flora
The Center for Conservation of Amazonian Flora began 3 decades ago with one man’s dream and a little patch of land. In 1980, an Ecuadoran accountant named Omar Tello bought 15 acres (6 hectares) of pasture, and began to restore it to tropical rainforest. He had no formal schooling in horticulture or biology, but that little patch is now a thriving botanical garden. It has over 1200 native plant species, including 200 orchid species, like Cattleyas, Masdevallias, and Vanillas. Check out an incredible slideshow of some of these orchids. The garden also has become a vital home for Amazon birds, insects, and animals. Known by its Spanish acronym CERFA (Centro de Rescate de la Flora Amazónica,) it’s attracting support from volunteers and international conservation groups.
Tello is working with these groups to expand his little patch by the foothills of the Andes. CERFA is trying to buy a 62 acre (25 hectare) parcel next door, before a growing nearby town swallows it up. With the additional land, the garden would be big enough for larger animals like monkeys, sloths, and anteaters to move in. You can help by supporting the garden directly, or by donating to EcoMinga or other CERFA friends. Dollars, Pounds, and Euros go far in Ecuador, so even a small contribution can make a big difference to save Amazonian flora.
Explore posts in the same categories: Botanical Gardens, Conservation
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April 13th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Thank you..really informative!!
April 27th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
What an inspiring story! Its good to hear some good news … Thanks for the good writing.
May 3rd, 2011 at 11:14 am
Hooray for Omar Tello! Imagine if everybody did that. The world would be a greener and happier place, I think.
June 9th, 2011 at 3:55 am
Very compelling. Thanks for bringing this to public attention. It reminds me of that great Margaret Meade quote “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
June 25th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
I always like to have a read about such things. I have added yours to my bookmarks. Excellent work.