The Andes run seven thousand kilometres down the spine of a continent, the longest mountain range on Earth, and they generate biodiversity the way a machine generates output. Because the range runs north to south across the tropics and climbs from sea level to nearly seven thousand metres, it stacks climate zones on top of one another and isolates populations in valley after valley. The result is speciation on a scale found almost nowhere else, and the tropical Andes are, by most measures, the single most biodiverse region on the planet.
Above the treeline lies the páramo, a strange spongy grassland of tussock and giant rosette plants that functions as a water tower for tens of millions of people. It absorbs the constant mist and releases it steadily into the rivers that supply Bogotá, Quito, and Lima. Damage the páramo and the taps run dry in cities far below.
The organizations here protect cloud forest and páramo, defend rivers and communities against mining that reaches ever higher, and work alongside Indigenous and campesino communities whose agricultural knowledge of these slopes is measured in millennia. They are guarding both an evolutionary engine and the water supply of a continent.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
65 organizations working across this landscape.
Alliance for Responsible Mining
The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) was established in 2004 in Colombia and is a leading global expert on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
Amazon Research Internacional
Safeguarding the Amazon through science and storytelling, in collaboration with Indigenous communities and international researchers.
amaZOOnico
Interested in animals and nature conservation? We are your place! Help us save the rainforest and its amazing creatures. We rehabilitate wild animals who wer...
APORTA DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE ASOCIACION CIVIL
We challenge the status quo to inspire new realities
Aquafondo Fondo de Agua de Lima
We are an articulation platform that mobilizes resources to conserve, protect and restore the watersheds of the Chillon, Rimac and Lurin rivers, and thus contribute...
Arbio Peru
Protection of the Amazon rainforest with focus on the ancient big trees
ASOCIACIÓN AMBIENTE SUR
Contribute to raise awareness and to promote citizen involvement with the local and regional environment through the implementation of environmental education and bi...
Asociación Amigos del Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
National Park Patagonia Glacier Conservacion
Asociacion Centenario de Chimbote
La Asociacion Centenario de Chimbote, es un ámbito comunitario, privado sin fines de lucro que promueve al arte, la educación y la cultura en la Provincia del Santa,...
Bosques de Agua
Regeneramos ecosistemas y protegemos el agua plantando bosques nativos en las Sierras de Córdoba, Argentina.
Casa Interamericana
The Inter-American Center for the Arts, Sustainabilty, and Action (CASA) is a sponsored organization of the Peace and Justice Center in Burlington, Vermont and manag...
CEBio (Foundation for conservation and study of biodiversity)
CEBio Foundation’s mission is to conserve the biodiversity of Northwestern Argentina. The objectives are to develop conservation and management actions for biodiver...
Centro Ecuménico De Promoción y Acción Social Norte - CEDEPAS Norte
Reconociendo al ser humano como el gestor, centro y propósito de la vida, nos proponemos: “Promover el desarrollo humano, mejorando las condiciones sociales, ambient...
Centro Neotropical de Entrenamiento en Humedales - Neotropical Center for Wetlan
Climalab
Our mission is to create impactful solutions that expand opportunities and improve the quality of life of children, youth, and women, particularly those most vulnera...
Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi - CIWY
Through this work, we aim to inspire humankind to uphold values that promote conservation and the recuperation of biodiversity.
Conservamos por Naturaleza
Conservamos por Naturaleza is an initiative of Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA) that carries the mission of supporting private and community-based conser...
Crees Foundation
Crees Foundation, was founded over a decade ago and is a non-profit Peruvian Non-Governmental Organization that works to reduce poverty and protect biodiversity in ...
Cumbres Blancas
Cumbres Blancas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of high mountain ecosystems, including páramos and glaciers, in Colombia and ...
ecOceanica
Peruvian Non-profit conducting research & conservation on endangered marine species.
FOUNDATION FOR THE INTEGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LATIN AMERICA-FIDAL
Strengthen education and consolidate democracy and governance with a focus on ecological awareness and sustainable development in Ecuador and Latin America.
Fundacion Amiguitos del Oceano
We address the conservation of marine-coastal ecosystems building sustainable communities based on Ocean Literacy principles.
FUNDACIÓN ANFIBIA
Fundación Anfibia impulsa la gestión participativa del hábitat en Patagonia, conectando ciencia, comunidad y naturaleza con enfoque inclusivo y territorial.
FUNDACION CAUSA LOCAL
FUNDACION CAUSA LOCAL- DEJA TU HUELLA, BUSCA TU CAUSA
Fundación Contamos Contigo Ecuador
Conservar y proteger a las tortugas marinas y sus hábitats. Promover la cultura oceánica en las comunidades aledañas a nuestro proyecto. Motivar a la población pesqu...
Fundación Cordillera Tropical
To conserve biodiversity in the Amazon headwaters of Ecuador.
Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco
Protecting the wildlife and wild paces of Ecuador, from the Amazon, to the Andes, and across the ocean to the Galapagos.
Fundación Ecosistemas en Acción
We promote sustainability, conservation, and ecosystem restoration through environmental education, innovation, and community participation. We integrate scientific ...
Fundacion La Iguana
Fundación la Iguana is a non-profit organization created in 2012 whose main objective is to conserve and recover tropical ecosystems through: - Reforestation of ci...
Fundación Montecito
Actions and reflections to protect Andean mounts and wetlands, especially focused on improving water governance and creating private nature reserves.
Fundacion Paramo
Inspired in nature, culture and it’s coexistence.
Fundación PlastiCo. Project
PlastiCo. Project's mission is to contribute to the conservation of planet earth by fighting plastic pollution and give the world alternatives to break free from pla...
Fundación ProyectoSub
We promote the conservation of biological, ecological and cultural diversity along the Argentine coasts through scientific research, education and outreach.
Fundacion Raiz
To support work in favor of vulnerable human communities and the conservation of nature in the Americas.
FUNDACIÓN REDNI
Preventing and eradicating chronic child malnutrition in Ecuador
Green Heroes Peru SACHA MUNAY
We are an environmental education NGO based in the high Andes of Peru.
Latitud Sur
Supporting local projects to preserve the forest and its biodiversity
Merazonia Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
Driving Change Through Innovation and Dedication With a combination of dedication, passion, professionalism, and innovative methods, Merazonia has achieved remarkabl...
Mingas por el mar
Environmental education, citizen science, and marine conservation project.
Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva
We are a grassroots collective of Indigenous women from nine nations — Kichwa, Sapara, Waorani, Shiwiar, Shuar, Achuar, Andoa, Siona, and Siekopay. Together, we repr...
nuevo suelo
Protecting the coffee soils of the future.
Omora Sub-Antarctic Research Alliance (OSARA)
OSARA promotes and supports research, education and conservation in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago and southern Patagonia by: Facilitating research in the social, ...
ONE Social Investment
We build a better future by accompanying social impact projects through financial investment, the contribution of knowledge and the generation of strategic alliances...
Patagonia Eco Film Fest Asociación Civil
PEFF Association have as its objective the encouragement and promotion of knowledge and citizen awareness of social and environmental issues through the creation and...
Planeta Seaumanoid
Our mission is to educate and give children and all people motivation and empower them with information so they can be the change the oceans and our planet needs.
Portafolio Verde Foundation
Animal Bank supports the conservation of animals and their habitat, leading actions in a rigorous and transparent manner.
Sistema B Ecuador
We exist to create a equitable, inclusive and sustainable economy for people and planet.
TUNA CONSERVATION GROUP TUNACONS FOUNDATION
Tuna Conservation and responsible fishing Foundation EPO area
Uayki Global Initiative
Our mission is to connect and empower disadvantaged populations currently disconnected from the digital age by providing them with unlimited access to opportunities ...