Great Wilderness is a California-based, international, non-profit conservation organization. Our mission is to support protection of tropical biodiversity where preservation and conservation of natural ecosystems are critical to sustaining life on earth. 

We address the needs of people and all inhabitants of tropical ecosystems through our work in economic sustainability, education, healthcare, social justice and scientific research. We envision a global community dedicated to the protection and maintenance of the earth's life support systems.

Founded in 2006, Great Wilderness is a California-based grassroots effort of scientists, educators, engineers, communicators and conservationists working globally through a network of local partners to advance an ecosystem-based wilderness ethic. The name is derived from "jatun sacha", which in the language of the Incas means "Great Wilderness", the organization has a focus on the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of tropical  countries.

With nonprofit partners and resources in Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru, the organization acts as a US-based extension for local groups with efforts directed towards raising public awareness on wilderness conservation issues, creating community owned-market based solutions to conservation, economic development, health and education. The Great Wilderness team uses a unique combination of field expeditions, workshops, research, e-based social networking and media communications as primary tools for conservation advocacy.
 
With a mission is to maintain the natural systems necessary to support life on Earth, Great Wilderness believes that the key to sustaining the web of life is the protection of critical, intact wilderness areas.

Click here to read more about our two recently funded specific projects in Esmeraldes Province.