Connecting youth to nature

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By Grazia Rabasa

In our ongoing commitment to environmental conservation, A Rocha Peru is excited to share some of the progress of our latest initiative, the Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation project.  Central to our project is the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest and the rich cultural heritage of the Machigengan people.

Eco-club Workshop creating bird masks, August 2023

One of our project objectives is to enhance environmental awareness among the younger generation about the conservation of the forest, flora, and fauna. In 2023, the pilot created an eco-club called Katsari Forest in the primary school in Monte Carmelo.  The eco-club has provided 66 enthusiastic students a platform to actively engage in environmental conservation efforts.  Through a series of workshops, including discovering the world of birds, getting to know the tropical forests and discussions on deforestation, we are empowering these young minds to become advocates for their environment.

Bridge access to the Katsari children’s forest, August 2023

Moreover, our project extends beyond education to practical solutions like building a bridge to access the Bosques de los Niños (Children’s Forest).  This bridge not only facilitates the children’s exploration of the forest but also symbolizes our dedication to fostering a deep connection between communities and their natural surroundings.  By empowering communities, preserving cultural heritage, and safeguarding biodiversity, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable future for both people and the planet.

 

Bird Monitoring in the Amazon

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Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian jungle, Monte Carmelo stands out as a testament to the rich biodiversity of the region. Monte Carmelo, located in Cuzco, boasts a myriad of habitats – from high-altitude grasslands and cloud forests to low-lying valleys. Such ecological diversity provides a home for an astonishing variety of bird species, making the area a magnet for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike.

Blue-crowned Trogon (Trogon curucui)

The Amazon Natural & Cultural Heritage Conservation Project is working with the local community of Monte Carmelo to aid in the conservation of avian diversity and promote bird watching tourism. In an effort to understand the conservation status of the resident bird population, research was undertaken.  A considerable amount of bird species was documented, through field surveys, acoustic monitoring and citizen science guided by our field expert Hugo Marcos Loyola.

Field surveys reveal that the Military Macaw, the White-winged Trumpeter and the Razor-billed inhabit the area.  Military Macaw has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.  In addition, the White-winged Trumpeter and the Razor-billed are classified as Near Threatened.  The new birdwatching group observed the Russet-backed Oropendola, Blue-crowned Trogon, and the Common Squirrel-cuckoo, amongst others.  The biodiversity of the jungle is a treasure that we must value and protect. With initiatives like this one, we take another step towards the conservation and understanding of our natural environment.

A Volunteering Adventure with A Rocha Peru

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Chris identifying medicinal plants with Sabio (H. Marcos, June 2023)

In January, A Rocha Peru was excited to receive a new volunteer, Chris Rampersad, a Biologist from the United Kingdom. Chris stayed for three months working on several project activities for the La Libertad Dry Forest Project. He talked with locals about the effects of climate change on the dry forest and also helped the team monitor research plots installed in ACP-Cañoncillo to assess the biomass and necromass of the dry forest. One of his findings was an increase in the height of the trees, with an average growth rate of 2.56m since 2018.

In addition, Chris started his research in Tronco Prieto and ACP-Cañoncillo forests collecting data such as species richness, the abundance of each species, and the amount of felled and dry trees. Chris completed his investigation of pre-existing species in the area, conducting two interviews at the Raimondi Museum and the Trujillo Herbarium.

Afterward, Chris journeyed to our Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Pilot Project in Monte Carmelo in the Urubamba River basin. Chris has been helping the team take pictures and support the research into the community’s medicinal knowledge of plants, endangered birds, amongst other things.

 

A New Pilot Project in the Peruvian Amazon

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Bird Watching, Monte Carmelo (H.Marcos, July 2023)

The Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Pilot Project began in June this year. The pilot project works in a small community called Monte Carmelo, located in the basin of the Urubamba River in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon. A Rocha Peru partners with the Comunidad Nativa Machiguenga Monte Carmelo (Monte Carmelo Machiguenga Indigenous Community) to help conserve and restore ecosystems and endangered species and preserve the cultural traditions and ancestral knowledge in native communities. The project is currently researching birds and medicinal plant species in this area.

To preserve traditions, workshops and talks will be conducted by elders to spread knowledge to the younger generation on the uses of traditional medicinal plants, the Machiguenga language, and other ancestral customs like hunting with bow and arrow.

For the local school, the project is establishing a recreational forest park to create an opportunity to teach children and others about the environment and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems.  Stay tuned for more developments in the coming months!