The Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) hosted the Chongón-Colonche Mountain Range Symposium, a key event for knowledge exchange and the creation of strategic alliances to promote the conservation of this vital region. The symposium, held on February 27 and 28, 2026, brought together researchers, organizations, and communities under the coordination of the JAPU Foundation and ESPOL.
During the sessions, results were presented from five years of continuous studies, publications, and community work conducted by the JAPU Foundation, ESPOL, Technical University of Machala, and Conservation International. Cristian Barros, Executive Director of the foundation, highlighted the urgency of generating technical information, particularly regarding water resources, as the mountain range is the primary water provider for the region.
The event fostered a space for co-creation where institutions such as Fondagua and various citizen groups discussed strategies to improve the livelihoods of local communities. Julián Pérez, a research professor at ESPOL, emphasized that conservation not only protects ecosystems but also restores the services that directly benefit people.
Through this symposium, the FLS reaffirms its mission to lead transdisciplinary projects that connect academic research with sustainable land management.
