Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

o continue Amy’s position as a Research Fellow with the Pinchot Institute, focusing on reforestation ecology and community forest-based economic development in Esmeraldas Province in Ecuador.  Amy received a Leadership Grant last year to work with the Pinchot Institute for Conservation in the Choco forest region of Ecuador. This second year of funding will allow Amy to continue the groundwork she laid in the first year on the forestry work, as well as adding new commitments to the community aspects of the project. This second year will focus on continued work with forest seedling research, completion of forest-type mapping, and working with her local community to develop technology and funding for increased efficiencies in cacao production.