JERRY:

Planet Earth has a few places with just an extra abundance of life. This is one of those.

And it’s on the precipice of disappearing.

JERRY:

We were in this unbelievably lush, rich cloud forest and from the very top (…) we could see in the far distance cattle pasture in every single direction… 

JERRY:

Our approach is, okay, let’s find a way to flip that on its head. Let’s find a way to make forest restoration and forest protection pay better than the alternative.

Conceptually, it makes a lot of sense, but how do you make that work in practice?

Title card:

In 2007, Third Millenium Alliance has protected more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) in the Jama Coaque Reserve.

Title card:

But, according to a 2021 survey, only 51,000 hectares (126,000 acres) of the original forest is left, scattered in small fragments across the region.

That is a mere 2.23% . This makes it one of the world’s most endangered rainforests.

JERRY:

Fortunately, cacao is a fruit that can grow in the understory of other taller trees.

And so how can we make that work? As a forest restoration tool?

CARLA:

Cacao is a great solution for us.

JERRY:

Our model was to provide farmers with all the tree seedlings they need, all the equipment they need to restore their deforested land with a combination of cacao trees and native timber trees, tall fruit trees, banana plantation. Essentially cultivate a productive forest on their land to replace marginally productive cattle pasture, marginally productive corn cultivation, and create a model in which people are earning more money by restoring the forest.

DANY:

These are cacao plants that we are going to deliver to farmers in the reforestation project.

WULVIO:

We decided to work in the cacao

because before we had nothing else to do. They gave us that opportunity. Now that we work on the farm, we have the support of everyone who helps us.

Title card:

TMA guarantees that cacao from their program is purchased at a fair price, often three times the standard market price.

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The regenerative cacao program is part of TMA’s long-term plan to create the Capuchin Corridor, a 43 km (27 mi) corridor of forest half the size of New York City, home to the critically endangered Ecuadorian white-fronted capuchin.

Title card:

Achieving this vision will require agroforestry, reforestation, and community support.

JERRY:

We are focusing our energy in this region because we feel that if we can maintain this ecosystem, help it regenerate into a more robust, resilient version of its former self. And if we can do this in a way that benefits the people who work and live in this area in a way that people are actually part of that process of restoration, that is a success story. It can inspire other projects in other parts of the world, can serve as a model. And that’s what we’re trying to do here in this part of Ecuador.

CARLA:

We are trying to have a good relationship with the community, so we are working mainly with the kids, the little kids because they are like the seeds.

Title card:

Dany regularly visits the farms to ensure they have what they need and follow the program’s rules.

DANY:

I don’t think it’s my job, it’s my school, it’s my place where I am educating myself …

I will keep on learning because every day there are new things to learn.

CARLA:

For our team, Dany is the one that makes everything happen. He can do magic.

DANY:

I hope all the reserve farmers are selling full cacao. Farmers carrying two or three drawers of cocoa. To see children who are now in the art class program working in the reserve.

That would be an incredible dream to see.