Chi Forest Environmental Education Centre

Location: Tongorachi, Southern Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Project Start Date: January 2008
Expected Completion Date (i.e. when expected to be self-reliant): 2015

Project Concept:

Chi Forest (or Selva Chi in Spanish) is an Environmental Education Centre. Within this concept local farmers are mostly "educated" by observing our exemplar permaculture farm and copying aspects of it, while everyone can learn from the botanic garden, the forest reserve and nearby marine reserve, and everyone can learn to appreciate nature more from the outdoor recreation facilities and camps/field studies/courses in various disciplines.

Detailed Project Description:

Chi Forest is located 10 kilometres Northwest of Muisne, in the South of Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador. At approximately 0° 42'N and 80° 03'W, it is in a moist coastal equatorial climatic zone. It consists of 2 blocks of land, (named Chi Forest and Chi Jungle).

Chi Forest is divided into six sections:

1. Recreational Garden and Restaurant (1.5ha):

This section is found in the lower part between the road and Tongorachí Creek. It consists of a rise with paths, shady trees and clearings. Plants are arranged in botanical groups for ease of study, several lawns and an amphitheatre provide recreational facilities. A lily pond and a butterfly enclosure are planned for the future. The restaurant is located next to the visitor entrance by the road. The function of this area is to receive visitors, provide information and a pleasant environment to relax and swim in the creek, as well as enjoy the flowers and butterflies. It will also offer meals with a "wild food" theme, dormitory and talks for groups of up to 20 people.

2. Dry Forest of the central coast of Esmeraldas (0.5ha):

The Dry Forest section adjoins the Recreational Garden on a rise that experiences drier conditions due to being lower and nearer the beach and because of the effect of the grass paddock and road that dries and heats the onshore breeze immediately before passing over this area. In this area there is a collection of trees and other plants characteristic of dry forest, with its high percentage of deciduous trees, encountered along the coastal strip from Galera to Rocafuerte in Esmeraldas province and also incluyes some species from Manabí province. Some important species are: Cascol (Libidibia corymbosa), Capok (Ceiba trichistandra), Guayacan (Tabebuia guayacan), Saman (Samanea saman), algarrobo (Prosopis sp.) Giant Figs (Ficus spp), Ecuadorian Ebony (Ziziphus thyrsiflora), Beldaco (Pseudobombax millei).

3. Wet Forests of the South West of Esmeraldas (16ha):

Since this forest is the native vegetation of the area it occupies the greatest portion of Selva Chi. This forest covers the most southern and western parts, the central valley and the north eastern limits along Tongorachí creek. The purpose of this section is to preserve a sample of this forest type for its genetic resources, research and education. The area along Chonta Creek is also interplanted with additional timber species for use in art, crafts and construction. Typical tree species already present are: Calade (Nectandra purpurea), Tangare (Carapa guianensis), Moral Fino (Chlorophora tinctoria), Strangler Figs (Ficus spp.), Caimitillo (Chrysophyllum spp.), Cedar (Cedrela odorata), Caoba (Platymiscium pinnatum), Dormilon (Pithecellobium arboreum), Machete Bungy Bean (Inga spectabilis), Sapote (Matisia cordata), Capok (Ceiba pentandra), Nace (Ocotea sp.), Jigua (Nectandra pisi), Guadaripo (Ocotea sp.), Mambla (Erythrina poeppigiana), Tillo (Brosimum alicastrum), Pechiche (Vitex gigantea), Pambil (Iriartea deltoidea), Chapil (Oenocarpus bataua), Tagua (Phytelephas aequatorialis) and Patona (Socratea exorrhiza).

4. Wet Forests of the North East of Esmeraldas (4ha):

This forest has many of the species that exist in the Southwest of the province but since it is in an area that hardly experiences a dry season there are a number of unique species and some in common with the Choco bioregion on the coast of Colombia. These northern species have been planted in a patch in the Southeast of Selva Chi amongst the species also common in local forest to create a community similar to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve. Some examples are: Chanúl (Humiriastrum procerum), Machare (Symphonia globulifera), some Animes (Dacryodes spp), Chalviandes (Virola spp) and Jiguas (Ocotea, Nectandra and Aniba spp), Clavallín (Browea herthae), Giant Figs (Ficus spp), Mascarey (Hyeronima chocoensis), Oak (Terminalia oblonga), Marcelo (Laetia procera), Carrá (Huberodendron patinoi), Nato (Mora Oleifera) and the palms Gualte (Wettinia utilis) and Palmicha (Euterpe oleracea).

5. Mixed Orchard (5ha):

The orchard is in the highest part of Chi Forest, from 40m to 120m above sea level, surrounding the residence. It is designed in accordance with the principles of Permaculture and serves as a demonstration of sustainable living. It is an example of a small farm of the future that protects the environment and the local food and water supplies. Furthermore, the orchard provides all that is consumed by the restaurant, showing that it really is sustainable. At present it has 26 native (such as Cashews, custard apples, anonas, avocados, arazá, mameys, caimitos, palmichas, chontaduros, bungy beans, papayas, pineapples, hobos, borojós, naranjillas and sapotes) and 28 exotic (eg. Coconuts, citruses, passionfruit, mangoes, bananas, plantains, macadamia nuts, mangosteens, guavas, nonis, bread fruit, black sapotes, jackfruit and mamey cartagenas) fruits and nuts and a variety of vegetables and herbs. Supplies of other raw materials for diverse uses in the restaurant, workshop and house, will come from the forest. Apiculture and the raising of freshwater shrimps, bush turkeys, guantas (native pawed mammals resembling small pigs), snakes and iguanas are options for this section in the future.

6. Residence and Workshop (0,5ha):

The owners' residence is planned to be built on a small peak at 120m asl on the eastern side of Chi Forest. Down the slope from this, near the road, there is an area for a workshop where materials from the forest can be used. The main products will be sculptures in wood and vegetable ivory (tagua) and leather and wax products.

Chi Jungle (Jungla Chi in Spanish) is divided into three sections:

1. The Upland (19ha):

This section of undulating hills between 150m and 230m asl has mostly moderate gradients. Some 15 ha of this is a farm, abandoned since 2004, most of which was under pasture. All of this section is under reforestation, in 2008 with balsa and in 2009-11 with other native species available. Apart from reforestation, the purpose of this section is for hiking and the observation of diurnal and nocturnal animal species in their natural habitat.

2. The Canyon (3ha):

The Canyon is a narrow valley 80m deep and 270m long that follows the northern boundary of the reserve. At the eastern end water enters the canyon from an 18m waterfall and empties at the western end into another canyon 30m below. It has a small swimming hole and is suitable for abseiling and ropes courses. These would be in harmony with the need to not touch the soil which is very susceptible to erosion in this steep terrain.

3. Camp Site. (0.5ha):

In the centre of the Upland there is a clearing for camping which has access to some wild food such as bananas, avocados, chilma, mameys, chontas, sapotes, calathia and yuyu ferns. It is a short distance from a clean water supply and has views along the coast. This area naturally serves to accommodate hikers who come to see the abundant wildlife that is still found in the area. There are future plans to build a rope lookout tower between palm trees.

Project Duration & Schedule:

The following time-scale for the development of various components of Chi Forest is based on low level funding and moderate volunteer workers support. It is envisaged that with adequate support some building work will be brought forward and the Art and Craft activities in particular would be able to start years sooner.

2008 - Tree planting (goal - 200 native tree species in the ground), construction of restaurant, care-taker's house and dormitory. Reception of volunteer workers. Formation of Muisne Surf Lifesaving Club.

2009 - Tree planting (goal - 350 native tree species in the ground), Construction of water tank and sustainable energy system.

2010 - Tree planting (goal - 400 native tree species in the ground), Some landscaping jobs (small bridges, ponds paths and retaining walls). Foundation of Muisne Triathlon Club. Short courses open for: Secondary: Ecosystems, Environmental Sciences (Botany/Zoology/Soil Science/field lecture/studies).

2011 - Tree planting (goal - 440 native tree species in the ground), Construction of the "Round House" - multipurpose hall and extra accommodation. Short courses open for: Adults: Nutrition, Human Relationships - professional/friendship/parent-child/partners.

2012 - Tree planting (goal - 470 native tree species in the ground),
Tertiary: Native Botany (field lecture/study). Short courses open for:
Tertiary (field studies): Sustainable Forestry, Ecology: Terrestrial and Marine Systems.
Adult: Sustainable Farm Design, Clean Energy(practical courses).

2013 - Tree planting (goal - 500 native tree species in the ground), Foundation of
Cape Adventure Club (Hiking/Kayaking/Mountain-Biking/Abseiling/ Hanggliding).
Short courses open for: Youth and Adult retreats.

2014 - Build Art and Crafts workshop. Botanical Catalogue near completion. Short courses open for: Youth outdoor camps.

2015 - Short courses open for: Local residents: Arts and crafts eg. pottery, weaving, woodcarving, candle making, wicker and cane work.

Project Needs:

Sustainable, clean energy: Chi Forest needs technical help in setting up a windmill on the hill to pump water and generate power. Apart from this help with any details (such as designing a low-water washing machine)would be appreciated, particularly starting a hand-crafts workshop and general building.

Other Information:

The area is of special conservational significance since it is on the only 30kms of Ecuadorian coast that has wet forest right to the sea-front. There is a large number of endemic species and it is adjacent to the newly forming Galera-Bunche Marine reserve.