24 de Mayo Conservation Area Protects Rivers in Ecuador’s Daule River basin

On July 26th, 2024, the “24 de Mayo” Municipal Conservation Area (Area de Conservacion y Uso Sustentable) was established spanning 37,019 acres (14,981 hectares) of important water sources and biodiverse tropical forests in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. The establishment of the Conservation Area is the result of a collaboration between local governments, local communities, and conservation organizations. The 24 de Mayo Municipal Conservation Area hosts a complex of rivers and streams that provide clean water and vitality to the province of Manabí.

The conservation area is located in the 24 de Mayo municipality of the province of Manabí and within the Daule River basin, one of Ecuador’s most productive river basins. The establishment of the conservation area ensures the preservation of environmental services essential for the livelihoods of communities that depend on the river basin. The Conservation Area plays an important role in water retention and erosion control, essential for the water security of the Daule River basin and the conservation of endemic species.

24 de Mayo covers a territory located in a transition zone between the Tumbesina and Chocó regions. This area is home to 373 documented species of plants and animals, many of them threatened. Species present in the conservation area include the jaguarandi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus sp.), nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), Ecuadorian trogon (Trogon mesurus), red-masked parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys), and the endemic catfish Ancistrus clementinae.

Through active collaboration of the Municipal and Provincial Governments alongside local communities, a shared vision was established of responsible natural resource management for the 24 de Mayo Municipal Conservation Area. Participatory conversations during the establishment process brought together perspectives from local communities, local policies, and development plans. 

“We worked together with the Municipal Government of 24 de Mayo for several months through workshops, training and presentations to share alongside local communities the importance of the 24 de Mayo Municipal Conservation Area and its role in the conservation of water sources and forests,” said Fabián Viteri, Coastal Marine Coordinator of The Nature Conservancy Ecuador.

Acknowledgements: 

The establishment of the 24 de Mayo Municipal Conservation Area was accomplished by the Municipal Government of 24 de Mayo, local communities, and FONDAGUA. Technical support was provided by The Nature Conservancy – Ecuador with the financial support of the Andes Amazon Fund.