My research focuses on theoretical and practical approaches that aim to link sustainable rural development and conservation. The project is a collaborative effort between the University of Manchester's Faculty of Life Sciences (supervised by Richard Preziosi) and the Institute of Development Policy and Management (co-supervised by Anthony Bebbington). Field-work for this project takes place in the Napo Region of western Amazonia (Ecuador) with the help of a series of indigenous Kitchwa communities. The work is also assisted by Project Payamino a small NGO that aims to facilitate development in tribal communities.