THE CALL TO ACTION

In Shuar language, YAKUM means “Howler Monkey”, the species with the loudest call in the animal kingdom – the call to action.

At this critical time in the history of the climate, YAKUM sets out to highlight the urgency of acting on deforestation to evade climate change, and change the way conservation works. Indigenous people in many cases do conservation better than national park systems as part of their way of life, buffering the climate – we are committed to get more recognition and support for them from the global community as well as supporting them ourselves.

Our work began when Nick came to live in Ecuador in 2017 to learn about local uses and properties of Amazonian plants, and why deforestation is occurring here. Since then YAKUM has built momentum and a dedicated community around the work. We live in the communities during projects, spend time with and listen to our partners, and all team, friends and family come and work in tree nurseries and field projects with us.

PEOPLE

THE CALL TO ACTION

In Shuar language, YAKUM means “Howler Monkey”, the species with the loudest call in the animal kingdom – the call to action.
At this critical time in the history of the climate, YAKUM sets out to highlight the urgency of acting on deforestation to evade climate change, and change the way conservation works. Indigenous people in many cases do conservation better than national park systems as part of their way of life, buffering the climate – we are committed to get more recognition and support for them from the global community as well as supporting them ourselves.
Our work began when Nick came to live in Ecuador in 2017 to learn about local uses and properties of Amazonian plants, and why deforestation is occurring here. Since then YAKUM has built momentum and a dedicated community around the work. We live in the communities during projects, spend time with and listen to our partners, and all team, friends and family come and work in tree nurseries and field projects with us.

PEOPLE

Nick Ovenden

Nick Ovenden

Core Team - Executive Director
Nick, a biologist and educator, left his job in 2017 to build the foundations of YAKUM through spending many months with indigenous communities, learning about Amazonian plants that would serve to regenerate forests and revitalise food sovereignt

    Nick Ovenden

    Mike McColm

    Mike McColm

    Core Team - Development Director
    Mike has catalysed forestry programs resulting in planting of 6 million trees. He is supporting Yakum's organizational structure,developing new partnerships,and field programs.He provides seeds and plants to projects from his own reforestation.

      Mike McColm

      Lexie Gropper

      Lexie Gropper

      Core Team - Regeneration Specialist
      Lexie is a biologist and has lived in Amazonian Ecuador for 6 years, in a 10-hectare reforested oasis called Amisacho. She is deepening YAKUM´s food forest work through soil regeneration & food processing techniques.

        Lexie Gropper

        Maximo Aguinda

        Maximo Aguinda

        Core Team - Coordinator, Technician
        Max is a Kichwa reforestation technician who has been working in reforestation all over Ecuador including Galapagos since he was 18 years old. He is building capacity within the communities we work with to deepen and expand our team.

          Maximo Aguinda

          Alex Watts

          Alex Watts

          Trustee - Treasurer
          Alex brings a wealth of experience in business and financial stewardship to the board. He has held numerous commercial leadership roles in global organisations.

            Alex Watts

            Georgie White

            Georgie White

            Trustee - Secretary
            Georgie applies her experience as Head of Partnerships at the Whitley Fund for Nature, and her passion for and studies in Ecology and Conservation, to direct YAKUM´s governance, pipeline and performance.

              Georgie White

              Hamza Aynashe

              Hamza Aynashe

              Trustee - Chair
              Hamza brings years of international business and legal experience to the YAKUM board, and applies his Masters in Corporate Law and Governance as Chair of YAKUM.

                Hamza Aynashe

                Marcia Yumbo

                Marcia Yumbo

                Trustee - Chair
                Marcia is a strong and inspiring leader in her community and supports YAKUM´s work both in Sachawaysa and further afield, promoting reforestation and working with women.

                  Marcia Yumbo

                  Lino Chongo

                  Lino Chongo

                  Community Support Kichwa Sachawaysa
                  Lino is a guayusa tea farm technician and coordinates regional commerce and production of guayusa tea in Cotundo. He´s really interested in reforestation in the whole Cotundo and organises work mingas in Sachawaysa.

                    Lino Chongo

                    Nick Ovenden

                    Nick Ovenden

                    Core Team - Executive Director
                    Nick, a biologist and educator, left his job in 2017 to build the foundations of YAKUM through spending many months with indigenous communities, learning about Amazonian plants that would serve to regenerate forests and revitalise food sovereignt

                      Nick Ovenden

                      Mike McColm

                      Mike McColm

                      Core Team - Development Director
                      Mike has catalysed forestry programs resulting in planting of 6 million trees. He is supporting Yakum's organizational structure,developing new partnerships,and field programs.He provides seeds and plants to projects from his own reforestation.

                        Mike McColm

                        Lexie Gropper

                        Lexie Gropper

                        Core Team - Regeneration Specialist
                        Lexie is a biologist and has lived in Amazonian Ecuador for 6 years, in a 10-hectare reforested oasis called Amisacho. She is deepening YAKUM´s food forest work through soil regeneration & food processing techniques.

                          Lexie Gropper

                          Maximo Aguinda

                          Maximo Aguinda

                          Core Team - Coordinator, Technician
                          Max is a Kichwa reforestation technician who has been working in reforestation all over Ecuador including Galapagos since he was 18 years old. He is building capacity within the communities we work with to deepen and expand our team.

                            Maximo Aguinda

                            Alex Watts

                            Alex Watts

                            Trustee - Treasurer
                            Alex brings a wealth of experience in business and financial stewardship to the board. He has held numerous commercial leadership roles in global organisations.

                              Alex Watts

                              Georgie White

                              Georgie White

                              Trustee - Secretary
                              Georgie applies her experience as Head of Partnerships at the Whitley Fund for Nature, and her passion for and studies in Ecology and Conservation, to direct YAKUM´s governance, pipeline and performance.

                                Georgie White

                                Hamza Aynashe

                                Hamza Aynashe

                                Trustee - Chair
                                Hamza brings years of international business and legal experience to the YAKUM board, and applies his Masters in Corporate Law and Governance as Chair of YAKUM.

                                  Hamza Aynashe

                                  Marcia Yumbo

                                  Marcia Yumbo

                                  Trustee - Chair
                                  Marcia is a strong and inspiring leader in her community and supports YAKUM´s work both in Sachawaysa and further afield, promoting reforestation and working with women.

                                    Marcia Yumbo

                                    Lino Chongo

                                    Lino Chongo

                                    Community Support Kichwa Sachawaysa
                                    Lino is a guayusa tea farm technician and coordinates regional commerce and production of guayusa tea in Cotundo. He´s really interested in reforestation in the whole Cotundo and organises work mingas in Sachawaysa.

                                      Lino Chongo