A growing concern for Indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon is the unsustainable logging of forests in the jungle. Clearcutting forests and drilling for gas has an irreversible impact on the land and the people living there. The River Wood Project was a creative solution from one of our founding artisan partners that addressed employment challenges during the pandemic while protecting the rainforest.
Meet Guillermo
Guillermo owns and operates two hotels in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle that are on the cutting edge of sustainable eco-tourism. Jamu Lodge is located in the national reserve of Cuyabeno, and Itamandi Ecolodge is found on the Arajuno River- if you’re ever in Ecuador, you need to check them out!
Guillermo partners with tribal communities to provide visitors with an authentic and educational experience of the Ecuadorian Amazon. His businesses help Indigenous people preserve their way of life by paying fair wages to work as tour guides and local experts. They bring guests on trips through the jungle, educating them on tribal cultures and traditions while raising awareness of the threats impacting the land and the people who call it home.
When one door closed, Guillermo built tables
Guillermo is gifted at spotting opportunities and developing sustainable solutions that help people. When the pandemic shut down tourism, Guillermo saw a chance to keep his staff employed by making beautiful live-edge tables using trees that were pulled from the river. These trees fell naturally and were not cut down from the rainforest.
We’re thankful for creative partner artisans
Individuals like Guillermo, who can offer sustainable employment with eco-conscious solutions, are the lifeblood of the Artisan Trading Post. We are thankful for his partnership and contribution to helping our company get off the ground. Not only was he a major motivating force in starting the Artisan Trading Post, but his shared vision for preserving the manual arts also continues to encourage us in our mission.
Social impact tables available in Port Carling
We have a limited quantity of these tables at our office in Port Carling. We have three styles: side table, coffee table, and accent table. Come by during office hours to pick one up today! Our office is located at 156 Medora Street, Unit 2, in Port Carling, Ontario. We’re open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.