Esteban Escalona

An Ecuadorian environmentalist who pioneered rainforest conservation in the Amazon basin

Esteban Escalona (1912-1968) was an Ecuadorian botanist and conservationist whose work laid the foundation for modern rainforest preservation. Born in the Amazonian region of Napo, he documented over 1,200 plant species while mapping unexplored areas of the Amazon basin. His 1947 expedition led to the establishment of Ecuador's first protected area, the Yasuní National Park. Escalona's research on medicinal plants preserved indigenous knowledge while promoting sustainable agriculture. He faced opposition from rubber companies but successfully lobbied for international conservation agreements. Today, the Escalona Institute continues his work in biodiversity studies. His 1955 book Amazon's Green Heart remains a seminal text in tropical ecology.