Tandayapa Cloud Forest Station

>A living lab in the Chocó-Andino Biosphere

Oso andino en el bosque nublado — Foto: Lucas Bustamante
Photo: Lucas Bustamante

A biodiversity refuge

Nestled in one of the world’s most biodiverse—and most threatened—mountain ecosystems, the Tandayapa Cloud Forest Station brings together scientists, students, local communities, and partners to generate knowledge and practical solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods..

We are located just 1.5 hours from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve.

Our Work

Four lines of action that connect scientific research with the well-being of communities and nature.

Biodiversity Research & Conservation

We monitor biodiversity and its threats in one of the planet’s most important and vulnerable hotspots, generating science that supports conservation action.

Ecosystem Restoration

We restore degraded areas in the Chocó-Andes to protect regional biodiversity, support local communities, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Education

We promote hands-on learning experiences where students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges in a unique natural setting.

Community Well-being

We support participatory processes that explore and strengthen sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

NFTree — Offset your carbono footprint

Support Us

Mittigate your Carbon Footprint and Safeguard Biodiversity

Through NFTree, individuals and organizations can directly support our work at the Tandayapa Cloud Forest Station while contributing to a more sustainable and biodiverse future. 

Donate with NFTree

Your donation supports research, restoration, and local communities.

Learn With Us

Our station offers a unique environment for research and education in a highly diverse cloud forest ecosystem. We host academic visits, field courses, workshops, and internships that foster socio-ecological research and creative, place-based learning.

Academic Visits Field Courses WorkshopsInternships
Contact us to design your experience

Wildlife

Camera Trap Project

Spectacled bears
Becky Zug / TCS
Little red brocket
Becky Zug / TCS
Black-and-chestnut eagle
Daniela Franco / TCS
Mountain coati
Becky Zug / TCS
Ocelot
Becky Zug / TCS

Location 

We are located just 1.5 hours from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve.

A privileged access to one of the richest cloud forest ecosystems on the planet.

Lat: 0.0117  |  Long: -78.6739

Our Team

Juan Manuel Guayasamín

Juan Manuel Guayasamín

jmguayasamin@usfq.edu.ec
Sofía Carvajal

Sofía Carvajal

scarvajal@usfq.edu.ec
Daniela Franco

Daniela Franco

dfranco@usfq.edu.ec

Contact Us

Do you have questions or want to collaborate? Write to us.

tandayapa@usfq.edu.ec