Conservation International, a field-based non-profit organization, formed the Tagua Initiative. The Initiative was designed to protect the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Conservation International has formed links between rural harvesters of the Tagua nut and manufacturers around the world. Community members have been trained in accounting and management in order to run this local business.
In less than seven years, the Initiative has sold more than 3,500 tons of raw materials and 70 million finished buttons which created over 1,800 part-time jobs in the community site. Dozens of clothing manufacturers have joined the Initiative, including such companies as The Gap, Esprit and Timberland. Working with communities to develop forest products produces economic incentives for conservation.