The ordinance N°026/2020 on the establishment of municipal conservation and sustainable use areas ("ACMUS") in the Cantón Loja is a regulatory instrument with a focus on NBS. Its objectives are to conserve cloud forests, moors, wetlands and other fragile ecosystems in their natural state. Moreover, it aims to restore ecosystem functionality in disturbed areas that are identified as priorities regarding the provision on environmental services, in particular water, ecological connectivity and the protection of biodiversity in the canton of Loja. Through a specific list of ACMUS, the municipal council creates or acknowledges them officially. Furthermore, it lays out the conservation of specific ecosystems. Possible spaces which can be identified as ACMUS are: fragile ecosystems, flora and fauna habitats, water ways, slopes, wetlands and inundation areas, areas of degraded soil and/or vegetation in need of rehabilitation.
Administration and management of private and communal property areas, identified as ACMUS, are obligations of the respective owner. Areas owned by the municipality will be administrated by the Autonomous Decentralized Government. However, the management of ACMUS may be shared, through agreements between public or private sector institutions.