Ithaca College

On Tuesday, February 20, at 7:00pm in Textor 101, learn about on-going efforts to protect Ecuador's rare cloud-forest (high-altitude rain-forest) and Ithaca College's service learning program in sustainable micro-enterprise in Ecuador.

Rodrigo Ontaneda, co-president and co-founder of Fundacion Maquipucuna, will present on his work to develop this thriving cloud-forest management reserve, educational center and ecotourism lodge in the high elevations of the Andes. Maquipucuna, located within the Choco-Andes biodiversity corridor, owns 7,500 hectares of cloud-forest and manages over twice that amount of adjacent reserve lands, helping preserve the complex ecosystems of one of the world's biodiversity "hot spots".

David Saiia, assistant professor of management in the School of Business, has worked with Fundacion Maquipucuna for the last eight years. In May 2006, Saiia led a team of 14 IC students to Ecuador for a 2-week field study experience.

Come hear Ontaneda and Saiia present about their work. Bring your friends and taste great Ecuadorian organic shade-grown coffee - grown and roasted by Maquipucuna as a sustainable enterprise.

For more information about Fundacion Maquipucuna and the 2006 Ecuador program: http://ithaca.edu/ecuadorprogram/