Eco-Ecuador Dry Tropical Forest Revegetation Project

The Dry Tropical Vegetation of Bahia De Caraquez coastal bioregion is both specific and barely extant. The Project began as an effort to stabilize hillsides (which had recently become mudslides) by replanting a combination of indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses. Working with local people as well as international volunteers, the various project managers have each left their mark on the Eco-Ecuador Project. This page is a compilation of who they are and were and a links to their Reports.

Planet Drum Ecuador Report – Winter 2021

By Kat Castillo | January 1, 2021

I spent much of this year getting to know Planet Drum’s previous work here a little bit better. Talking with Judy in San Francisco weekly, digging through years of documents to pull out different information has been tedious yet insightful—oftentimes stumbling upon funny moments that one would only understand after living here for some time. I got to know old friends of Planet Drum like […]

Bahía during Covid

By Kat Castillo | August 29, 2020

We hope this letter finds you all healthy and safe! 2020 has been packed full of almost unfathomably challenging events to say the least. In Ecuador we are doing our best to move forward with regional self-reliance and sustainability projects while protecting ourselves from Covid-19.  In Bahia for 2 months there was a curfew except for from 5am – 2pm.  Now, we can stay out […]

Planet Drum Ecuador Report – Summer 2020

By Kat Castillo | August 1, 2020

Text and Photos By Kat CastilloWe hope this letter finds you all healthy and safe! 2020 has been packed full of almost unfathomably challenging events to say the least. In Ecuador we are doing our best to move forward with regional self-reliance and sustainability projects while protecting ourselves from Covid-19. In Bahia for 2months there was a curfew except from 5am-2pm. Now, we can stay […]

Kat introduces herself and reports on the first three months

By Kat Castillo | December 31, 2019

Arriving in Ecuador Eager to be in Latin America again, I jumped at the opportunity to use my degree and pursue science here with my brilliant hydrologist friend, Emily Santos. She was able to open the door to research here for me. I first arrived in Bahia in 2018 burnt out and ready for change from the University of Colorado with only a backpack full […]

New Planet Drum Ecuador Projects Manager

By Clay Plager-Unger | November 11, 2019

After more than 12 years of working as the Projects Manager for Planet Drum Foundation’s ecological projects in Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador, I am moving on to a new phase of my life. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Planet Drum during all of these years and it has been an incredible experience, but it’s time for me to find something new. I especially would like […]

Bioregional Classes with the Catholic University

By Clay Plager-Unger | October 23, 2019

Since late September the Eco-Ecuador Project has been collaborating with the Catholic University on a new course at their campus at Kilometro Ocho, where the Planet Drum greenhouse is located. The course introduces university students to bioregional concepts and principles and includes a hands-on component at the greenhouse with dry tropical revegetation practices. There are about twenty students in the class and it meets Wednesdays […]