Articles

ETAPA just graduated 350 community forest brigaders trained to defend the páramos and watersheds that supply every drop of Cuenca's tap water. After last year's fires scorched thousands of hectares, this volunteer army could be the difference between clean water and crisis.

For years, the 35 rangers protecting Parque Nacional Cajas and Cuenca's critical watersheds fought wildfires with inadequate gear. ETAPA just changed that with a $215,000 equipment delivery — helmets, fire suits, chainsaws, and portable pumps. After 11,000 hectares burned in 2024, it was overdue.

While the headlines scream about Ecuador's coastal violence, a quieter story is being missed: dozens of cantons across the Sierra recorded no homicides at all last year. Cuenca's among the safest cities in the country, and the data backs it up.

Ramón Pucha spends days alone in the jungle collecting seeds from endangered trees. His wife plants them. His son gives tours. The government calls their farm a 'living laboratory' — but won't fund it. Their story says a lot about Ecuador right now.

The Municipal Council unanimously approved an ordinance creating seed capital funds for local entrepreneurs — with a two-year grace period and zero interest. Here’s what it means if you’re thinking about launching something in Cuenca.

A trove of nearly 800 letters, photographs, notebooks, and musical scores spanning three centuries has been discovered in Cordero Crespo's former home in El Centro. Researchers are now conserving and digitizing the collection for public access.

The headline concert of Carnival 2026 features Nicky Jam and Trebol Clan on February 14 at Estadio Serrano Aguilar. Every dollar from ticket sales goes directly to purchasing and conserving paramo in Cajas National Park.

The government revoked Loma Larga's environmental license and the vice minister of mines resigned, but opposition groups say the mining concession itself hasn't been canceled. Here's where things stand.

After a tense week of declining water levels that raised concerns about a repeat of 2024's drought, rainfall has restored the Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui, and Machángara rivers to normal flow.