Team

Ingo Lies

The earth gives us unforgettable experiences. She deserves that we preserve her in her beauty. That is why Ingo Lies, owner of Chamäleon, initiated the creation of the Rainforest Foundation in 2010 and is on its board of directors.

Alfonso Tandazo

As owner of the Ecuadorian tour operator Surtrek, the second founder Alfonso Tandazo shares his passion for sustainable adventure travel with the world. Today, he takes care of the acquired rainforest areas on site and is the chairman of the foundation's board.

Rodolfo, our ranger in Ecuador and his team

As an experienced ranger, Rodolfo protects the foundation's rainforest. He is supported by a team of nine other native Shuars. Since our two rainforest areas are about 30 kilometers apart, we have built a large house for all the rangers to stay overnight. We also plan to use this house as an environmental education center in the future.

Know-how transfer

The Cajabamba Agricultural Project works with people living on the edge of the rainforest to test the fundamentals of organic farming, improving soil quality, and increasing crop yields. The agronomists working on the project demonstrate how self-sufficiency and local trade are possible without deforestation. We provide start-up funding consisting of salaries, plants, and other equipment.