Our Mission
"The day it stops raining in the cloudforest is the day we have failed Mother Earth."
Conserving and protecting the Chocó Andino cloud forest in Ecuador through spiritual healing, education, and sustainable living. We aim to connect communities with Mother Earth, promoting biodiversity and watershed protection through holistic and restorative practices.
Our Story
Since its inception, Nuestra Tierra has been dedicated to preserving and restoring the unique biodiversity of the Chocó Andino cloud forest in Ecuador. Nuestra Tierra’s innovative approach intertwines conservation with spiritual healing and a deep connection to Mother Earth, creating a holistic strategy for environmental stewardship.
Nuestra Tierra’s efforts are rooted in the wisdom and traditions of indigenous communities, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the land. We aim to reconnect people with the natural world, fostering a profound respect for biodiversity and watershed protection.
One of the cornerstones of our work is the integration of spiritual healing practices into conservation efforts. By promoting a harmonious relationship with nature, we address the underlying spiritual and socioeconomic factors contributing to deforestation.
Over the coming years, Nuestra Tierra will continue to expand its ecological and social impact. We are committed to creating a sanctuary for biodiversity, where conservation and spiritual connection with Mother Earth go hand in hand. Through our efforts, we aim to inspire a global movement that values the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving our planet’s natural heritage.
Our Team
Paulina Oviedo
Paulina, an Ecuadorian therapist, activist and visionary, is dedicated to guiding others on their healing journeys. For over 25 years, she has worked with indigenous communities learning their traditions, and her expertise as a Gestalt therapist allows her to accompany holistic and integral processes, using art as a source of spiritual discovery, personal growth, and healing. With a background in clinical psychology and as a phytotherapist, Paulina’s multifaceted approach enriches her practice.
Renowned for her organizational prowess, she excels at spearheading projects and initiatives, particularly in the realms of arts and music. As an author and a woman of profound wisdom, her prayers have touched and transformed countless hearts. A co-founder of Mujeres de Luna, an international women’s collective, she is also an artist and an investigator of ancestral songs and chants.
Paulina stands as a recognized leader in her spiritual community, championing necessary changes in a medicine world often dominated by men. Her leadership and advocacy for balance and inclusivity make her a transformative force, inspiring those around her to embrace a deeper connection to the earth and their own inner wisdom.
Amalia Oviedo
Amalia Oviedo, raised in Ecuador, is an accomplished journalist and writer specializing in economics, politics, and culture. She is also an experienced field producer and expert in cultural event coordination. Amalia scripts socio-cultural and environmental documentaries, adding depth to important stories. A practicing medicine woman for 20 years, she is also a pedagogical assistant and phytotherapist. Additionally, she co-founded the women’s collective Mujeres de Luna, which empowers women through community initiatives. Her diverse career and dedication to cultural and environmental advocacy highlight her commitment to societal impact.
Sandra Elena ten Zijthoff Pardo
Sandra is a Peruvian/Dutch resident of Ecuador as of 13 years. She has always been a conservationist at heart, an amateur herpetologist, nature photographer, ceramist and musician. Holding a M.Sc. in International Development, and with earlier degrees in Anthropology and Biology, she has worked in the nonprofit sector for most of her professional career before starting Nuestra Tierra Aldea Creativa and its conservation efforts. On her free time, she enjoys building websites for good causes, logging plants and animals in the cloudforest, learning about sustainable living solutions, bamboo construction and permaculture.
Andrea Fernández Hontou
Andrea, a member of Nuestra Tierra Aldea Creativa's Leadership Team, integrates Psychology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ancestral wisdom to promote holistic well-being. Her work connects humans with nature and preserves cultural traditions for healing and self-realization.
With experience in clinics across Ecuador, Uruguay, and England, she specializes in psychological therapies, entheogen microdoses, and ancestral ceremonies. Her extensive training includes phytotherapy, acupuncture, emotional release techniques, and various psychological therapies that blend modern science with traditional healing wisdom.
Through spiritual practices and cultural ceremonies, Andrea works to conserve ancestral traditions and build bridges between indigenous knowledge and modern society. Her mission emphasizes respect for cultural heritage, mutual learning, and environmental sustainability. The foundation she co-founded focuses on recovering traditional knowledge and protecting biodiversity.
Heather Siekkinen
Scientific Outreach Coordinator
Heather Siekkinen, a Florida native who grew up on the beach, has a passion for nature and animals, and is an animal rights activist who has volunteered for animals for nine years. As an arboretum gardener, she cared for rare plants, and as a veterinary assistant and shelter caregiver, healed animals with a loving heart and kind hands.
With a Master of Science in Library Science and a Bachelor in English and Philosophy, Heather has been a teaching librarian for 20 years, specializing in research and reading. She conducted original research on comic book and graphic novel collections and directed libraries in Sweden, the U.S., and Denmark, where she developed curriculum, raised funds, ran events, and built community.
A former book editor and a writer of op-eds on animal welfare, Heather also translates Swedish for an animal rights organization. Her recent studies include Applied Climate Strategy and normshifting, Zen meditation, and Critical Animal Studies.
Heather enjoys creating mixed-media art, gardening, and playing board games with nature and animal themes. She practices yoga and meditation and can be found with binoculars watching birds.
Our Core Values
Embracing Sustainability, Culture, Wellness and Community
Ecological Integrity
We prioritize sustainable living, using organic farming and renewable energy to coexist harmoniously with nature.
Cultural Vibrancy
We celebrate our cultural diversity through engaging in traditional crafts and music, preserving our rich heritage.
Spiritual Well-being
We support personal growth and wellness through connection with nature, meditation, and holistic health practices.
Community Collaboration
Our community is built on collaboration, offering volunteer projects and shared learning experiences in a supportive environment.