Hanne Forest

The Utuana Forest, or Hanne Forest, was created in 1999 by means of a donation from the Bloch Family of Denmark. Maintenance is carried out by Arcoiris Ecological Foundation and Jocotoco (the current proprietors). The 40 hectares (99 acres) that make up the area are dedicated to the conservation of an isolated section of cloud forest (Sierra, 1999).

It is located in the province of Loja, county Calvas, parish Utuana, at the southern latitude geographical coordinates: 4° 20 17 - 4° 23 00 and the western longitude: 79° 43 22 \ - 79° 43 14. The entire forest exists at an altitude of between 1400 and 2650 meters (4593 and 8694 feet) with an annual average temperature of 15°C (59°F). The precipitation varies from 500 to 800 mm (20 to 24 inches) per year.

BirdLife International named the Forest of Utuana an "Important Area for the Conservation of Birds" (AICA). Several species of threatened birds as well as many endemic species have been registered in the Tumbesino region. It is the only place in Ecuador where certain species of birds from the Northern Peruvian Andes have been reported, such as Hemispingus piurae and Anairetes nigrocristatus. The area also harbors several species of plants, mammals, and amphibians in danger of extinction.

To get to Hanne Forest, take the main highway from Loja to Cariamanga until reaching the secondary road from Cariamanga to Utuana. Located 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from the entrance is a designated camping area.