Mariposa is a not-for-profit company founded in 2005, by Sharon Pruyne. Mariposa works with ecotourism communities in Ecuador and soon throughout the world.

What is Ecotourism?

Ecotourism has attracted increasing attention in recent years, not only as an alternative to mass tourism, but as a means of economic development and environmental conservation. Proponents and some scholars believe that it can potentially focus the benefits of tourism on the local population and environment, while minimizing negative impacts. A growing number of researchers agree that local control is key to avoiding many problems resulting from ecotourism development. By scaling down production processes and returning power to local units of governance, ecotourism may reduce economic leakages, minimize negative impacts and concentrate the benefits locally. Ecotourism's rapid growth has attracted the attention of many people and communities in low-income countries. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, a growing number of indigenous Quichua communities are turning to ecotourism as an alternative to expanded commercial agriculture, protecting their heritage and their rain forest.

How do we at Mariposa intend to support Ecotourism?

Mariposa's dedicated staff of volunteers has joined their skills and hearts together to design and implement projects based upon individual eco communities' needs. Each community is visited, the staff sits with the leaders, and, together we create projects that will benefit the entire community in an earth-honoring way.

Mariposa will also assist financially by supplying funding for supplies, designs and education.