Dear friends as you may have noticed, not so long ago, we have up-dated our PermaTree Logo. Some may believe this is something not worth investing time in. Obviously we think differently 🙂 Let us quickly introduce you to the new logo and the background. We are located in the northwestern region of Ecuador at the edge of the Amazon rainforest. Within the Province of Zamora-Chinchipe. From a climatic point of view we are in the so called: tropical mountain rainforest.
The new Logo
Biodiversity Hotspot
The region where we are is a rather unknown biodiversity hotspot. Actually it is the second hottest biodiversity hotspot worldwide! Topology is rugged terrain with steep slopes and deeply incised valleys covered with tropical mountain rain forest. The scar-like narrow natural landslides contribute considerably to the high biodiversity in the region. All developmental stages of the mountain rain forest are present in close vicinity. Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are the backbone of biodiversity. Further detailed information about the farm and the location here: Yantza Farm.
Fireflies
We are located 20 minutes from the second highest populated city of the province called Yantzaza. The city is near the Zamora River’s bank, on the famous Yantzaza Valley or Valley of Fireflies (Spanish: Valle de Yantzaza o Valle de las Luciérnagas). The word “Yantzaza” originates from the local indigenous language of the Shuar. The Shuar tribe was internationally known for the shrunken human heads. They call a shrunken head a tsantsa, also transliterated tzantza. They would show off their heads to scare enemies and this did actually work pretty well for a long time with the Spaniards. So the fireflies are kind of our local identity. And yes we do have fireflies during the night time.
Most fireflies are winged, which distinguishes them from other luminescent insects of the same family, commonly known as glowworms. There are still about 2,000 firefly species. The fireflies insects are endangered by human activities such as habitat loss, light pollution and pesticides.
Guayusa Leafs
Another key element of our new logo are leafs of the Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) tree, native to the Amazon Rainforest. One of three known caffeinated holly trees, the leaves of the guayusa tree are dried and brewed like a tea for their stimulative effects. It contains the following 3 main elements 1.) Caffein, 2.) Theobromine 3.( L-theanine. Of course we are growing Guayusa in polyculture with Banana (Guineo Ceda – Musa acuminata).
Bamboo Leafs
Of course one of the main key elements of the logo are connected with another awesome plant with is the fastest growing plant on the planet. Bamboo. And yes we are still in process of planting even more Guadua angustifolia, Dendrocalamus asper and varieties which will help improve our direct environment and provide for lots of base materials in near future for added value products.
Lightbulb
Now the the lightbulb. Why a lightbulb. Well have a seen a firefly before? Those insects are literally are living lightbulbs. Also the lightbulb stands for new ideas. If you look closely at the lightbulb in the logo you will notice bamboo inside. This has a connection to the very early light bulb. Back in the days, 1880, Thomas Edison discovered the utility of carbonized bamboo as a filament lasting more than 1200 hours, which became the standard for Edison incandescent light bulbs for the next ten years.
The process of finalizing the new logo – a few brainstorming sessions. 🙂