Bellavista ("beautiful view" in Spanish) Ecological Reserve is located in the north-western cloud forest of the Andean Mountains of Ecuador. The views are spectacular and the number of species of birds even more miraculous.

    Dr. Constance Dustin “Dusty” Becker, the Principal Investigator, has been involved in the exploration and reforestation of the cloud forests of Ecuador since 1997.  It was through her patience and many discussions with not only Dusty, but all the group members, that I was able to visualize how this project actually will contribute to the pursuit of worldwide sustainability.
    In the expedition briefing, specific goals were listed, but only as the trip unfolded did the goal of the expedition became clear; how can one combine science and conservation while contributing to the pursuit of worldwide sustainability, as well as discover the implications for conservation of biodiversity. In order to find answers to such enormous issues and questions, one must break the question down into a manageable task by focusing on a central question.
 
 

    Briefly, the study enabled Dusty to document the enormous biodiversity found in the forest, distinguishing those birds that inhabit the interior regions and the exterior or the edges.  By documenting this information community awareness can and hopefully will be stimulated which in turn will encourage the local people to embrace this diversity, leaving the forests intact. Bellavista has claimed to be the “best” birding area in South America and according to Richard, founder of Bellavista , the traffic has increased immensely, providing local people with alternatives to raising cattle and cutting down the forests for pastures through ecotourism.
 

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