Hi All,

I just finished my interview with Raul Nieto, about the work he is doing with the Itapoa Project to save the rain forest in Ecuador and Columbia. As in many places in the world, land grabbing has been going on there with Indonesian Palm Oil Companies cutting down the rain forests and replacing it with the African Palm Tree. The rain forest is a habitat for thousands of reptiles, amphibians, and birds who are all at risk of being endangered or extinct, and it has been the home to indigenous communities who are in danger of losing their culture, along with their land. The Itapoa Project is working to protect the animals and the rich culture of the people by teaching them how to plant  Cacao Trees and fruit trees on land that is still available, allowing them to feed their families and make a living. The Itapoa Project, in the Choco Region of Ecuador and Columbia, is purchasing cacao from the different indigenous communities for a fair price, and turning it into chocolate and other products for sale, to support their work. Music had always been such an important part of the Choco culture and community, and they were starting to lose that connection, so the Itapoa Project started a Traditional Music School, to keep the music alive.

They are open to visitors, volunteers, and interns, and they have a beautiful hostel on the property. Check them out, and if you missed our interview, you can listen to it below.