Sandra Morocho Yuxi
Associate research in FLACSO & Ecuador and Naturalist Guide

Born in the Quijos Valley, in the eastern Andes of Ecuador, Sandra Morocho is passionate about nature, birds, and mountains. She is a certified national guide and holds a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management, with a career focused on natural lodge management in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Recently completing a Master’s in Rural Development from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Ecuador and Friedrich Alexander University in Germany, Sandra deepened her knowledge of sustainable practices benefiting rural communities.
In 2021 she founded the Quijos Valley Birdwatchers Collective, advocating for sustainable alternatives to generate income and preserve forests. She also leads the Quijos Valley Reforestation Project, dedicated to conserving Ecuador’s diverse bird habitats.
In 2022, Sandra co-authored “Ecuador’s World Heritage” by UNESCO, highlighting the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve.
She has represented Ecuador at international tourism fairs such as ITB Berlin and FITUR in Madrid, and in July 2024, she will showcase her work at the Global Birdfair in Rutland, UK, promoting conservation through birdwatching tourism.