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A significant step towards marine conservation, the creation of the Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve. Over a decade of concerted effort orchestrated by Nature and Culture has brought together the local governments and coastal communities along Piura’s shores to work to protect a key marine sanctuary. This collaboration has led to the creation of a new protected area, announced on April 24^th, 2024, by the Peruvian government, marking a significant milestone in marine conservation. Spanning an impressive 286,059 acres (about the area of San Antonio, Texas), this reserve safeguards the intricate tapestry of Peru’s marine ecosystem.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we are now protecting one of the world’s most critical areas for preserving marine biodiversity.

A paradise of marine biodiversity

The coast of Piura, in northern Peru, is one of the most extraordinary places in the Pacific due to the uniqueness of what happens beneath its waters: the meeting of two large marine ecosystems, one dominated by the cold waters of the Peru (Humboldt) Current and the other by the warm waters of the Southern Equatorial Current. Some of the species that can be found in this exceptional ecosystem include the rare Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), the Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that travel to this area especially to give birth, the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) which is endangered, all species of Pacific marine turtles, as well as hundreds of species of fish and corals. Additionally, being a transition zone, it has a high concentration of endemic species and species new to science.

On land, this region features a desert ecosystem with tropical dry forests that are unique in the world, where gigantic wetlands of great importance for biodiversity develop, as they host some of the most important habitats for migratory birds on the coast of Peru.

The ecosystem faces significant threats from mining, industrial fishing, and marine pollution, particularly from oil spills. However, with the establishment of the newly declared protections for this vital marine sanctuary, the wildlife inhabiting this area can finally breathe a sigh of relief, as these threats are now alleviated.

A long road to conservation

Although Nature and Culture has worked primarily in the Andes and Amazon regions of Peru, for more than 10 years we worked on the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources along the Peruvian coast. It all began in 2009, when together with the Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University (UPCH) and the National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State (SERNANP), we presented the proposal for the creation of the Foca Island National Reserve. By 2014, SERNANP merged this proposal with three others: El Ñuro-Cabo Blanco, Punta Sal Reefs, and the Mancora Bank, to create what is now the Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve.

From there, and for 10 years, Nature and Culture contributed to the creation of the National Reserve through scientific research, socialization workshops, photographic exhibitions, among other activities aimed at raising awareness among the local communities. Our collaboration extended to the regional and local governmental partners, SERNANP, and the Ministry of the Environment. Together, we championed the government’s vision to establish Peru’s inaugural protected marine area within the Tropical Pacific Sea ecosystem.

Additionally, together with the Regional Directorate of Production of Piura and the artisanal fishing communities of the region, we supported an initial effort to inventory the artisanal fishing fleet, establishing spaces for dialogue and training to develop a co-management plan for sustainable artisanal fishing. In 2020, we trained 45 artisanal fishermen from Foca Island, promoting the leading role of fishermen in the administration, control, and surveillance of fishing activity in their seas.

“We have learned and understand that one of the most important challenges to reduce the gap in marine conservation in the country is to strengthen the alliance with the communities that inhabit the northern coast of Peru,” said Mónica Alzamora, Coordinator of the Coastal-Marine Program (2014-2018) at the time.

The creation of the Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve allows for the sustainable use of resources, optimizing artisanal fishing techniques and the development of environmental tourism. This conservation status guarantees the permanence of a unique ecosystem, its species, its underwater landscapes, and the environmental services it provides to the fishing and coastal communities of the Piura coast.

We are proud to have been part of this important conservation milestone for Peru’s marine ecosystem!

Our contribution to the establishment of the Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve would not have been possible without the collaborative work of SERNANP, the regional governments of Piura and Tumbes, and the Ministry of the Environment, and the financial support of Andes Amazon Fund, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, Walton Family Foundation, Re:wild and other funders.

N MEMORIAM

In memory of Mónica Alzamora (d. 2022)

We remember with deep gratitude Mónica Alzamora, who left an indelible mark on the conservation of Peru’s natural landscape. At Nature and Culture, she worked tirelessly alongside the fishing communities of the Peruvian coast to protect Mar de Grau.

Her dedication and leadership were instrumental in achieving today’s declaration of the Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve. We honor her memory and legacy, recognizing her valuable contribution to the protection of the marine ecosystem of the Peruvian coast. As she used to say, “Without blue, there is no green, and without green, there is no us!”

Rest in peace, Mónica.

The effectiveness of our collaborative efforts is remarkable, and none of this would have been possible without you, our Nature and Culture Community! Since our founding, in total we have protected 26 million acres, preventing 3.9 billion tons of CO2 emissions!

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As you read through our Impact Report, we invite you to join us in celebrating our achievements.

Here’s a look at some of the incredible work you helped support over the last year.

On February 1, 2023, two Indigenous nationalities came together with the Provincial Government of Morona Santiago, Ecuador to create the 3,057,670-acre reserve, named Tarímiat Pujutaí Nunka in Shuar, which roughly translates to “Territory of Good Living.”

With the generous support of our donors and partners, Nature and Culture has been working since 2021, to facilitate a participatory process that led to the protection of this massive connected Amazonian forest. This process involved hosting 21 community meetings, during which 893 community members shared their traditional ecological knowledge, worldviews, and visions for a sustainable future within their ancestral territory to preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.

The declaration of this area aims to improve the quality of life for local communities through sustainable development opportunities, while safeguarding its 744 million tons of above-ground carbon stores.

Tarímiat Pujutaí Nunka joins as the centerpiece of the Amazonian Platform, a collaborative alliance uniting 7 Indigenous nationalities and 3 Provincial Governments in protecting 11 million acres of continuous Amazonian rainforest. About the size of West Virginia, U.S. in total, this impressive biological corridor collectively sequesters an estimated 2.3 billion tons of above-ground carbon.

The opportunity for Nature and Culture to attend the international climate conference, COP27, in 2022, and amplify Indigenous voices in climate action was a significant milestone for the organization. In 2023, we continued to build on the momentum and champion the presence of Indigenous leaders in pivotal international forums.

In March 2023, Josefina Tunki, former President of the Shuar Arutam Nationality, journeyed to the United Nations Water Conference in New York alongside Nature and Culture, Executive Director, Matt Clark. Josefina delivered a compelling presentation on the critical issue of water resources in the Amazon. Josefina’s perspective was enriched by her deep connection to the land, stemming from her leadership in safeguarding the 3-million-acre protected area, Tarímiat Pujutaí Nunka. She is fighting to keep her ancestral territory free of mining activities that have devastated her community.

Later in the year, our esteemed partners, Governor of Morona Santiago, Tiyua Uyunkar and Pastaza Governor André Granda, took the stage at COP28, proudly representing the Amazonian Platform—a testament to the collaborative efforts between Nature and Culture, subnational governments, and local Indigenous communities. They shared the remarkable successes achieved in protecting the Ecuadorian Amazon. Together, we’re safeguarding an astonishing 11 million acres of pristine forest, forming the largest biological corridor in Ecuador.

By facilitating the participation of Indigenous leaders in global dialogues, we are supporting them in reshaping the narrative on conservation and climate action. Their invaluable insights, rooted in millennia of lived experience, are indispensable in shaping policies and solutions. As we forge ahead, Nature and Culture remains steadfast in our resolve to amplify Indigenous voices, ensuring that their rightful place at the forefront of the environmental movement is acknowledged and respected on a global scale.

In 2019, we celebrated the establishment of the Ñembi Guasu protected area, safeguarding 3 million acres in the Bolivian Gran Chaco. That same year, the world watched in horror as wildfires ravaged the country’s southern region of Santa Cruz.

Since then, Nature and Culture and one of our local implementation partners, have been working to ensure the long-term health of the Ñembi Guasu area. We’re doing this in several ways, including the creation of a management framework and sustainable finance mechanism, the development of a firefighting patrol, and post-wildfire reforestation projects. Recognizing the growing risk of fire in Bolivia’s precious dry forests, we have provided firefighting tools, conducted fire safety awareness campaigns, and devised emergency firefighting strategies to mitigate future disasters.

Helping communities adapt to climate change is crucial because, despite efforts to mitigate its causes, the impacts of climate change are already being felt globally. These impacts often disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. By supporting adaptation measures, such as building resilience, enhancing infrastructure, and implementing early warning systems, communities can better withstand the effects of climate change and minimize associated risks to livelihoods, health, and well-being.

In the last eight years, Nature and Culture has documented more than 450 species of birds in areas we protect in the northern Tropical Andes of Peru, 24 percent of the country’s recognized avian species. Our work here spans a 3,763,481-acre ecoregion of high-altitude grasslands and cloud forests.

Two new subnational areas are in the works which will join to surrounding protected areas between the departments of Huánuco and San Martín, Peru. This ecoregion provides critical habitat connectivity and food resources to birds and other wildlife in the region.

Monitoring wildlife within the areas we protect is just one way we gauge the efficacy of our work. It also allows us to prioritize new areas for conservation as species’ ranges shift in response to climate change.

In Ecuador, Water Protection Areas (WPAs) are a unique conservation measure aimed at safeguarding water resources for local populations and protecting key watersheds and their surrounding ecosystems. These areas legally shield forests and natural ecosystems from harmful activities like mining, ensuring a clean water supply and food security for local communities. From 2019 to 2022, our team in Ecuador spearheaded a comprehensive national-level hydrological study. This effort culminated in the creation of a Priority Map of Hydric Zones covering approximately 17.3 million acres. The study was instrumental in aiding the Ecuadorian government in prioritizing its watershed conservation projects, called Water Protection Areas.

Since the inception of this conservation mechanism, 32 Water Protection Areas have been established, 20 with Nature and Culture’s support. In 2023 alone, 12 areas were established, protecting 150,000 acres, and bringing positive change to the lives of 85,000 residents.

2023 Annual Impact Report

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Great news for conservation in Colombia! A new protected area, Las Siete Sabias-Esperanza de Vida, has been declared, spanning 75,115 acres of Colombian Chocó rainforest.

We are pleased to announce the creation of this area, which is considered an Integrated Management Regional District, a category of protected area that gives communities who live in the area the right to sustainable development activities.

This natural and cultural gem is collectively managed by the Afro-Colombian communities in the central rainforest of Colombia. This area is one of the rainiest regions in the Americas and the third rainiest globally. It is situated in the Chocó-Tumbes-Magdalena region known for its abundant biodiversity.

Natural Wonders of the Chocó Tropical Rainforest

In the Chocó region, the forests reach remarkable heights, with some reaching up to 125 feet. This, coupled with high humidity creates a unique forest with many layers that become diverse habitats for both animals and plants.

Cocoi poison dart frog *(Oophaga histrionica)* |
Image credits: COCOMACIA

Research carried out in the region has revealed a rich diversity of fauna and flora, including 90 plant species and 479 animal species (210 birds, 117 mammals, 44 amphibians, 75 reptiles, and 33 fish), though the actual numbers are likely higher. This area has also gained international recognition as a crucial site for bat conservation known as an Important Area for Bat Conservation (AICOM).

Common fruit bat *(Carollia perspicillata)* | **Image credits**: Felipe Villegas

Within the area, notable rivers include Pacurita, Tutunendo, Guadalupe, and Cabí. The latter is of vital importance as it supplies local water systems, benefiting approximately 108 thousand people.

View of the Tutuendo River | **Image credits**: CODECHOCÓ

A community commitment to conservation

The name for this area, ‘Siete Sabias’, was selected by the local communities and pays homage to the seven Afro-Colombian community councils within the protected area that have played a vital role in the declaration process. The second half of the name, ‘Esperanza de Vida’ or lifespan in English, symbolizes the regional progress that this protected area has contributed to.

In 2019, the communities, through the Greater Community Council (COCOMACIA), started a dialog allowing for studies in the region. Initially, the declaration proposal included 12,000 acres, but the community’s interest in organizing the territory led to an expanded proposal of more than 74,000 acres.

Community meetings | Image credits: Santiago Castillo, Humboldt Institute

“We are truly happy, not only because the area is important for the country’s biodiversity, hosting a variety of endemic species and other emblematic ones such as bats, but also because this declaration was achieved through the participation of various entities and community councils. Therefore, it represents a collective decision,” says Santiago Castillo, a researcher at the Humboldt Institute and implementing partner of NCI in Colombia.

DRMI: A protection category that allows sustainable use of natural resources

District of Integrated Management (DRMI) is a category granted to landscapes and ecosystems that maintain their natural composition and function. It is a regionally protected area that allows for the sustainable use of resources by local communities, contributing to the fight against deforestation, informal mining, soil and water pollution, as well as the management of human settlements in risk zones.

Puerto Quibdó | **Image credits:** Santiago Castillo, Humboldt Institute

The declaration of the DRMI Central Rainforest Las Siete Sabias – Esperanza de Vida was possible thanks to the coordination of Codechocó as the environmental authority, the implementation of CORPARIEN and COCOMACIA, the technical support of the Humboldt Institute, and the financial support of Nature and Culture International, Andes Amazon Fund, and Re:wild.

More information:

Kristen Heard

Director of Communications

kheard@natureandculture.org

Nature and Culture International supported a recent photographic exhibition that sheds light on the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining on the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon.

From December 21st to January 6th, a series of photographs was exhibited at the Parish Hall of the Main Church of Iquitos, Peru. These images illustrate the devastating impacts of illegal mining in the Madre de Dios region over the years. The impacts are not only environmental; they also result in a breakdown of the connection between people and the surrounding natural landscapes that are slowly disappearing.

Effects of illegal mining in Madre de Dios | Credits: Pavel Martiarena

A warning of the consequences of illegal mining

Photographer and climate activist, Pavel Martiarena, is from Puerto Maldonado, the capital city of the Madre de Dios region in southeast Peru. He traveled to Iquitos to exhibit more than 20 photographs that detail the harmful effects of illegal mining in his region. The photographic exhibition not only summarizes the fatal impacts of mercury on the natural landscape of the Amazon Rainforest but also exposes the irreparable marks mining has left on the population: domestic violence, drug trafficking, alcoholism, and human trafficking, among other crimes.

In this sense, Pavel Martiarena’s exhibition was received in Iquitos as a warning of the negative impacts of illegal mining in an Amazonian landscape. This reality could be repeated in Loreto, especially in the basins of the Chambira and Nanay rivers, both of which supply potable water for the city of Iquitos with over 400 thousand inhabitants.

The photographic exhibition featured more than 20 photographs illustrating the devastating results of illegal mining | Credits: Pavel Martiarena

Nature and Culture worked together with organizations like the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Derecho, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, and the Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation to handle the organization and logistics required for the exhibition.

The photographic exhibition was presented by the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos and the management committees of the protected areas affected by illegal mining in Loreto: the Regional Conservation Area “Alto Nanay Pintuyacu Chambira” and the National Reserve “Allpahuayo Mishana.” The exhibition opening was attended by representatives of the Vicariate, the “Allpahuayo Mishana” National Reserve, and regional and national authorities, including the Minister of the Environment, Albina Ruiz.

The Chordeleg Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area has been established in southern Ecuador, achieving a historic milestone for the region of Chordeleg. The area encompasses 16,283 acres of protected páramo and montane forest across the Azuay province.

This new protected area, located in the Eastern Cordillera Real near the towns of Principal Delegsol, Puzhío, and La Unión, is strategically positioned at the meeting point of the eastern slope of the Andes and the Amazon Rainforest. It encompasses diverse ecosystems and remarkable biodiversity, alongside the protective zones of Río Shío-Santa Bárbara and Collay. Additionally, it is part of the internationally recognized Sangay Podocarpus Connectivity Corridor, designated as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA).

Although little is known about this area in the scientific community, experts are quick to highlight its ecological uniqueness and natural richness. The Chordeleg Conservation Area is considered a biodiversity hotspot and it harbors a wide variety of flora, avifauna (bird species), mastofauna (mammal species), and herpetofauna (amphibian and reptile species) in its extensive páramos and forests.

Chordeleg protects endemic and endangered species

The Chordeleg Conservation Area’s natural ecosystems serve as a refuge for wild species, many of which are unique to the region and are at risk of extinction.

According to the book “Chordeleg, Una Joya Natural” (Córdova et al., 2023), the first publication on the biodiversity of the area, a total of 314 species have been recorded: 213 plant species, including 3 new orchid species, 26 mammals, 68 birds, 5 amphibians, and 2 reptiles. Of these, 12.7% are endemic, meaning they are found exclusively in this region or country.

Download the book here: “Chordeleg, Una Joya Natural“

This publication also analyzes the conservation status of species, determining their risk of extinction.

The species facing the greatest threat are amphibians, mainly due to the Rainbow Trout and diseases like chytridiomycosis. For instance, the Cuenca Stubfoot Toad (Atelopus bomolochos) is categorized as Critically Endangered and believed to be extinct. Sadly, for reptiles, the limited understanding of their biology has resulted in their decline due to their perceived venomous nature.

*Pleurothallis carmensotoana.* One of the three species of orchid that were discovered in the Chordeleg Conservation Area | **photo credit:** Henry Garzón

Other vulnerable and Endangered species include the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the puma (Puma concolor), the northern pampas cat (Leopardus garleppi), the reddish mountain mouse (Thomasomys auricularis), the oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), the Andean fox (Lycalopex culpaeus), and the small red brocket deer (Mazama rufina). As for birds, three are considered Endangered, and the remaining 65 species are classified as Least Concern according to the Red List of birds in Ecuador (Freile et al., 2018). Regarding flora, two have been categorized as Endangered, six as Vulnerable, and six as Near Threatened.

Conservation of Natural and Cultural Wealth

Jewelry designed and crafted in gold is an important local art form in the Chordeleg region and has been passed down through the generations. Local artisans are world-renowned for their beautifully-crafted gold jewelry and many now incorporate natural motifs into their craft, acknowledging the unique biodiversity of the region.

“Here, you find tourist spaces, precious water sources, and the many species we coexist with. The opportunities for development and the viability of our cities increasingly depend on the protection of the natural ecosystems they are connected to,” Fabián Rodas of Nature and Culture shares.

The Municipal Decentralized Autonomous Government of Chordeleg established the Conservation and Sustainable Use Area in collaboration with Nature and Culture and the Collay Consortium, thanks to the financial support of Rainforest Trust. The ordinance approved by the Chordeleg Cantonal Council on January 9, 2024, includes the official limits of the area, incentive and penalty mechanisms, as well as financing for continuous monitoring, surveillance, and management.

Maylas | **photo credits:** Gonzalo Córdova

Utilizing this strategy, the Chordeleg region will conserve its páramo and forests and provide critical ecosystem services such as water regulation, water supply for nearby populations, climate regulation, carbon capture, and soil protection, among others, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

The local governments and communities of the Sucúa region in Ecuador have established the Sucúa Conservation and Sustainable Use Area.
This lush area, spanning 43,840 acres, is home to a unique diversity of Amazonian and Andean ecosystems.
The area protects crucial water sources for the urban and rural communities of the Sucúa region.

The Sucúa Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area, spanning 43,840 acres, has been established in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon. Due to its location, bridging the Amazon Rainforest with the eastern slope of the Andes, it contains a range of ecosystems, including lowland montane forests and cloud forests of the Andes Mountain Range.

The Sucúa Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area spans a range of ecosystems | **photo credits**: Fabián Rodas

Habitat for threatened species

The area, which serves as a “connectivity buffer zone” for the nearby Sangay National Park, contains remarkable biodiversity, including the iconic Cuniculus paca, commonly known as the lowland paca. This rodent plays a crucial role by dispersing seeds across Amazonian ecosystems encouraging forest regeneration and ensuring the preservation of the area’s biodiversity. Another critically important species in the area is the jaguar (Panthera onca). The jaguar, an essential predator in the Amazon ecosystem, regulates the populations of other species and maintains the food chain balance.

Species like the jaguar are found within the Sucúa Conservation Area

Birds such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) and the White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus) are also Sucúa natives and play crucial ecological roles in seed dispersal and vegetation regeneration within the Amazon rainforest.

Although there is currently no species monitoring in the Sucúa Conservation Area, this area harbors vulnerable species that are considered crucial for immediate protection. For example, the Humboldt’s woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) is listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction, hunting, illegal trade, and population growth. According to reports from the Nature and Culture technical team, species monitoring should be included in the future management plan for the area.

Protection of water sources

The area also safeguards crucial water sources and preserves local water supplies for the residents of Sucúa, Santa Marianita de Jesús, and Asunción.

Tutanangoza river | **photo credits**: GAD Sucúa

Protecting water sources is essential for the Indigenous communities of the area, such as the Shuar communities of Km 20, San Marcos, and Uwe. These communities contribute to the care and preservation of the conservation area daily, working diligently to mitigate the major threats to the area, including deforestation from the expansion of agricultural and livestock activities.

Upano River | **photo credits**: GAD Sucúa

Significant Progress in Conservation and Sustainable Use in Sucúa Region

This new protected area has been a work in progress since May 2022. The Municipal Government of Sucúa, with technical support from Nature and Culture and financing from Andes Amazon Fund, led the process of identifying potential areas for conservation and sustainable use within the region. This process included the involvement of key stakeholders in the territory, such as local and Indigenous communities. The team designed a technical document and ordinance, and pre-legislative consultations were conducted with the different local communities and Indigenous nationalities.

As a result, on December 14, 2023, the council unanimously decided to establish the Sucúa Conservation and Sustainable Use Area. Nature and Culture technician, Lizbeth Abarca, highlighted the importance of this area for the region and emphasized the need to implement a management plan and protect and conserve the natural resources of the area.

“When we spoke to the communities during the initial phases of the project, different people mentioned that the conservation of the area was important to them. They have all witnessed a decrease in the flow of rivers and streams that they have known their whole lives. Therefore, the protection of water sources is key for this area, as well as ensuring the quality of water reaching the homes in the Sucúa region.”
Lizbeth Abarca

In the dry forest of southern Ecuador, the annual blossoming of the Guayacanes is a spectacular event that follows the first rains of the year. This unique ecosystem endures an extended dry season, lasting from four to nine months, in contrast to the rainy seasons. Typically, as the rainy season begins, usually in January, the forest transforms into a vibrant display of captivating colors and fragrances, leaving an unforgettable impression on those fortunate enough to witness it. The bloom this year reached its peak last week on January 6th and 7th. However, irregular weather patterns have impacted the full splendor of the flowering.

Conserving the Dry Forest Together: The “Los Guayacanes” Communal Partnership

In June 2021, authorities and local populations of three rural parishes—Bolaspamba, Cazaderos, and Mangahurco—united to establish the “Los Guayacanes” Communal Partnership with the aim of conserving, preserving, and protecting the environment and biodiversity of the dry forest. In these communities, the dry forest is collectively cherished as a home deserving protection and appreciation. Since the partnership’s establishment, significant progress has been achieved in the management and administration of the region’s natural spaces.

Presently, the Guayacanes Communal Partnership is implementing a sustainable territory management model, receiving technical support from organizations such as Nature and Culture and FUNACE, with funding provided by BOS+ and Andes Amazon Fund. This approach seeks to harness local attractions like the blossoming of the Guayacanes to safeguard and conserve this valuable ecosystem.

The dry forest of the Guayacanes Communal Partnership stands as one of the best-preserved and most extensive remnants of tropical dry forest in Ecuador. Together with the Peruvian forests, it constitutes the most representative block of flora and fauna in the Tumbesian region. The

The Dry Forest is home to a Variety of Species

In this region where Guayacanes flourish, you can find other emblematic species like the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), puma (Puma concolor), howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), and various migratory and endemic birds. Furthermore, the diversity of Tumbesian flora enhances the ecosystem with color and beauty, emphasizing the significance of preserving and protecting our planet and its treasures, including the blossoming of the Guayacanes.

It is clear that the region is home to remarkable biodiversity and this emphasizes the need for effective protection. Over the years, guayacan wood exploitation in the timber industry has resulted in severe consequences such as deforestation and indiscriminate logging. Currently, several species in this ecosystem are categorized as under threat, facing the imminent risk of extinction. Therefore, collaborative efforts are imperative to conserve, preserve, and sustainably utilize this valuable natural heritage.

The territory of the Los Guayacanes Communal Partnership is also part of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Forests of Peace which crosses the international border connecting northern Peru and southern Ecuador. Also, in the nearby territories of Celica, Las Lajas, Macará, Pindal, Paltas, Puyango, and Zapotillo, is the Dry Forest Biosphere Reserve declared by UNESCO in 2014.

Climate Change has affected this year’s bloom

The blossoming of the guayacanes reached its peak splendor on Saturday, the 6th, and Sunday, the 7th of 2024. However, it is important to mention that the effects of climate change, such as the El Niño phenomenon, have influenced the flowering of this marvelous event. Local communities indicate that, due to climate irregularities, there have been three blooming events of the guayacanes in 2023: February, August, and December. Therefore, the blossoming in the year 2024 has not occurred in all its splendor.

On November 9, 2023, the city of Cuenca declared the Yanuncay-Zhucay Conservation and Sustainable Use Area, spanning over 66 thousand acres. This area will safeguard the Yanuncay River, a precious natural gem that runs through the city. The area rivals the size of Cajas National Park. Positioned between the parishes of Baños, San Joaquín, Chaucha, and Tarqui, it ensures the preservation of vital ecosystems.

What are Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas?

Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas are established by local governments, communities, or private owners to preserve biodiversity and engage in sustainable activities, ensuring the continued provision of ecosystem services that enhance human well-being.

This area encompasses fragile ecosystems such as páramo and montane forest, providing various ecosystem services, including water regulation that ensures the supply of drinking water to more than 180,000 people in the city of Cuenca the third largest population in the country. Additionally, it serves as an ecosystem connectivity space between Cajas National Park and the Quimsacocha National Recreation Area.

The Yanuncay-Zhucay Conservation and Sustainable Use Area houses an impressive variety of fauna and flora, including the majestic Andean condor, the Azuay Metaltail hummingbird, endangered amphibians, deer, páramo wolves, porcupines, and many other recorded species. In addition to its ecological value, this area is an important center for tourism development, as well as a vital source of agricultural and livestock production for the city.

The protected area is used for tourism development and agricultural and livestock production | Image by: QUILICO DRONES

The Yanuncay-Zhucay Conservation and Sustainable Use Area represents an opportunity to safeguard the ecosystem services it provides, the biodiversity it harbors, and the future of Cuenca and its residents.

“We are certain and confident that with this ordinance, we will be able to coordinate activities and protect our water sources, ensuring water for many more years, for our children, for the future.”
Luiz Quinde, President of the Administrative Board of Drinking Water Project Nero

This conservation effort was possible thanks to the collaborative work of the Municipal Government of Cuenca, the Parish Governments of Baños, San Joaquín, Chaucha, and Victoria del Portete, the Administrative Board of Drinking Water of Nero, the Environmental Management Commission, ETAPA EP, FONAPA, and the University of Azuay; with technical assistance from Nature and Culture International and financial support from Andes Amazon Fund.

Yanuncay-Zhucay protects key páramos and montane forests for Cuenca’s water security | Image by: QUILICO DRONES

On September 22, 2023, Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition officially declared the Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge.
The area protects 61,673.15 acres of fragile high Andean ecosystems.
Its conservation is especially important for the local water supply, providing more than 60% of drinking water to the region.

The Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge, an invaluable natural treasure spanning 61,673.15 acres in Ecuador, has been included in the National System of Protected Areas under the category of ‘Wildlife Refuge,’ in an effort to ensure its long-term protection and conserve its rich biodiversity. Located between the provinces of Azuay and Cañar in southern Ecuador, Machángara Tomebamba is now a new core area of the Cajas Massif Biosphere, recognized by UNESCO May 29, 2013.

Machángara Tomebamba Páramos **Credits**: Fabián Rodas | Nature and Culture International

Since 1985, Machángara Tomebamba has been recognized as an “Area of Forest and Vegetation Protection” due to its vital role in providing essential services to the region. These services include supplying water for human use, irrigation, maintaining ecological balance, supporting industrial activities, and enabling hydroelectric power generation.

Over the past 25 years, various organizations have collaborated through the ‘Machángara River Basin Conservation Committee’ to implement a range of strategies to effectively manage the area and ensure the sustainable use of its natural resources. These efforts include promoting responsible agricultural practices, raising environmental awareness among the local population, conducting scientific research, monitoring the area, and fostering social responsibility. All of these endeavors are aimed at achieving the goal of harnessing the natural wealth of the area while preserving its ecological integrity.

The declaration of the Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge as part of the National System of Protected Areas reflects the strong commitment at both local and national levels to safeguard these high Andean ecosystems. Furthermore, its protection is of particular importance for Cuenca, since it supplies more than 60% of drinking water to this canton.

Machángara Tomebamba body of water **Credits**: Fabián Rodas | Nature and Culture International

Connecting to Nearby Protected Areas

The Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge improves the connection between ecosystems by linking with Cajas National Park (established in 1977), the Mazán Decentralized Autonomous Protected Area (established in 2021), and the Curiquingue – Gallocantana Decentralized Autonomous Protected Area (established in 2022). This connectivity is vital for ensuring the long-term sustainability of essential environmental services like supplying drinking water, regulating water flow, storing carbon, and supporting ecological processes.

A Biodiverse Paradise

The Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge is home to an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna, with a total of 522 identified species, including some that are endemic to the region. Of these, 5 species are critically endangered, 13 are endangered, 31 are vulnerable, and 21 are near-threatened. Additionally, 28 species are listed in Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In essence, this listing in CITES signifies that international measures and protections are in place to safeguard these 28 species and prevent their exploitation through trade, helping to protect their populations and conserve biodiversity.

Prominent species that rely on this habitat include the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), as well as several amphibian species. Preserving these species is crucial for safeguarding Ecuador’s biodiversity and their contribution to maintaining the equilibrium of local ecosystems.

An interesting fact is that in 2018, the species known as the ‘Sange Cutín’ (Pristimantis erythros) was described. This amphibian is distinguished by its bright red coloration, which is due to its poisonous skin. It exclusively inhabits the Machángara Tomebamba páramos, with a very limited distribution, which classifies it as ‘Endangered.’

Sange Cutín (*Pristimantis erythros*) Credits: Juan Carlos Sánchez

A Milestone for the Conservation of Machángara Tomebamba

Despite existing conservation efforts, the Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge faces constant threats that endanger its future. Therefore, it is imperative to provide it with a legal status that ensures its long-term protection and supports ongoing conservation efforts.

The designation as a ‘Wildlife Refuge’ marks a significant step towards the protection and conservation of this natural treasure and reinforces Ecuador’s commitment to biodiversity and the well-being of local communities.

“With this declaration, the city of Cuenca now has 5 protected areas within the National System, as part of a strategy that adds to local efforts to preserve its páramos and forests, which are crucial for its present and future.”

Fabián Rodas, Coordinator at Nature and Culture International

Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge **Credits**: Nature and Culture International

COLLABORATION FOR LONG-TERM CONSERVATION

The Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge is a precious corner of Ecuadorian biodiversity, home to unique species and a key provider of essential environmental services. Its designation as a “Wildlife Refuge” strengthens its conservation status as a legacy for future generations.

This declaration is the result of collaborative work involving the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition, the Machángara River Basin Conservation Committee, ElecAustro, ETAPA EP, the Environmental Management Commission, the Machángara Irrigation and Drainage Board, and the Socio Bosque Project. With technical support from Nature and Culture International and funding from the Andes Amazon Fund.

Wildfires in Southern Ecuador are destroying habitat for numerous species including the rare Ecuadorian Vizcacha.

We urgently need your support to help the communities and wildlife that call this area home. In the mountainous forests between the regions of Espíndola and Quilanga, in the province of Loja, Ecuador the fires continue to spread. Local volunteers like Diana Granda, Group Coordinator of “Sembrando Vida” are working to stop the blaze. While on the frontlines she regrets, “it is consuming a lot, a lot of hectares of wildlife and flora.”

Nature and Culture works closely with the local community and has facilitated the declaration of three protected areas in the region. The Quilanga Municipal Conservation Area, the Espíndola Municipal Conservation Area, and the Catamayo Municipal Conservation Area which cover a little over 120,000 acres. It is in this region that the critically endangered vizcacha (Lagidium ahuacaense) was first described in 2016. This unique mammal is endemic to southern Ecuador and our team works together with the Techincal University of Loja and local researchers in the Ecuadorian Vizcacha Conservation Project to protect the vizcacha’s threatened habitat and help existing populations recover.

The Vizcacha is a critically endangered mammal endemic to the canton of Quilanga.

Our team in Ecuador is supplying volunteer firefighters with food and medicine, but we need your support. There is so much at stake. Additionally, these Municipal Conservation Areas secure areas of hydric importance and critical water sources for local communities.

Over 2,000 acres were reported to be affected by the wildfires as of September 21, 2023.

Welcome to Nature and Culture’s latest conservation update, a direct glimpse into our ongoing efforts across Latin America.

We’re excited to share updates on our latest initiatives and projects, including a 360 view of one of our very first protected areas, the Cazaderos Reserve, a brand new protected area in Bolivia, and amazing avian biodiversity in Peru.

Our commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of this remarkable region remains unwavering, and it is thanks to supporters like you that our projects continue to thrive. Thank you for joining us on this journey!

Real Stories. Real Impact.

The Laderas Norte Community, the NATIVA Foundation, and Nature and Culture International established the first rural municipal protected area in Bolivia’s Southeastern Tarija Province that will protect important nesting ground for the emblematic condor.

On August 24, 2023, the City Council unanimously approved the law establishing the Quebracho and Condor Nature Reserve, covering 8,144.57 acres. The reserve is particularly special because of its role in the preservation of the Andean condor (Vultur Gryphus) and the rare white Quebracho tree (Aspidosperma quebracho blanco).

A tragic background

In February 2021, a devastating incident struck the Laderas Norte community in Bolivia. Thirty-four majestic condors perished after consuming poisoned meat. This incident had a profound impact on both the local area and the entire nation.

34 Andean condors were tragically killed in 2021 leading to a communal effort to protect this magnificent bird

The condor is a symbol of South America and holds a special place as Bolivia’s national bird. Beyond its symbolic importance, this majestic bird serves as a crucial component of ecosystems. As a scavenger, it plays a vital role in preventing the spread of harmful bacteria that can pose health risks to humans. Additionally, it aids in regulating the populations of various species, contributing to the overall balance and harmony of local ecosystems.

However, its population has experienced a rapid decline, going from being listed as “Near Threatened” to “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List in December 2020.

Condor flying over newly established protected area.

The community of Laderas Norte, known for its commitment to conservation, donated 141 acres to the municipality a decade ago to protect the condor and the only white quebracho forest in the Central Valley of Tarija. It was in this very place that the lifeless condors were found, worrying the local population, and prompting them to take action.

The only white quebracho forest in the Central Valley of Tarija.

A turning point toward conservation

The community, in its eagerness to avoid future tragedies and protect its environment, requested support from the authorities and social organizations to improve their quality of life through conservation and sustainable development projects. In addition, they expressed their concern about the illegal exploitation of timber in the area, a threat to valuable species such as cedar (Cedrela lilloi), red quina (Myroxylon peruiferum), walnut (Junglas australis), tipa (Tipuana tipu), among others.

Thus began the collaboration between the community of Laderas Norte, the NATIVA Foundation, our implementing partner in Bolivia, and Nature and Culture. Despite the challenges, such as border conflicts and misinformation, the creation of the Quebracho and Condor Nature Reserve was achieved.

Reserve highlights

The reserve is notable for several key reasons: it plays a critical role in preserving the Andean condor, protecting the white quebracho tree, conserving vital ecosystems spanning from the Central Valley of Tarija to the Bolivian Tucuman Jungle, safeguarding water sources, and ensuring the safety of endangered species like the quirusilla plant (Gunnera apiculata). Furthermore, it serves as a picturesque destination, making it an excellent choice for adventure tourism.

This achievement is a testament to the commitment and determination of the Laderas Norte community. By declaring their territory a “municipal protected area in perpetuity,” they have taken a bold step toward conservation.

This milestone has been made possible thanks to more than two years of collaboration between the community of Laderas del Norte, the NATIVA Foundation, the Municipal Government of Tarija, the Ministry of Environment, the Directorate of Tourism and the Municipal Council, with the Environment and Tourism commissions, backed by the financial support of Nature and Culture International and Andes Amazon Fund.

Congratulations to the community of Laderas del Norte and all the organizations that made it possible!

The Cazaderos Nature Reserve was declared a protected area within Ecuador’s National System of Protected Areas (SNAP), on November 9, 2022. This territory, which covers 12,108.16 acres, is located at the heart of one of the best preserved and largest remnants of tropical dry forest in Ecuador which, together with the Peruvian forests, constitute the most representative block of dry forest of flora and fauna of the Tumbesian region.

The impressive flowering of the Guayacanes, an event that happens every year at the beginning of the winter season, the presence of animals such as the crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), puma (Puma concolor), howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), several species of migratory and endemic birds, as well as the colorful and diverse species of tumbesian flora, make it a priority for conservation. Currently in Cazaderos a model of sustainable management of the territory is being built, jointly with the population and local authorities that seeks to take advantage of the attractions of the Reserve and the surrounding areas.

This sustainable management model will identify areas that are threatened by land use change for agricultural activities, logging, and hunting. It is estimated that currently, only 5% of the original dry forest in Ecuador is in a good state of conservation. Catalina Quintana, a researcher at the Catholic University of Ecuador, in an interview for Mongabay magazine, explains the value of the reserve: “There is a genetic potential, a representation of plants unique to our country.”

In addition, the Reserve is considered a natural laboratory to develop permanent research. The organization BirdLife Conservation (2009), due to the presence, abundance and endemism of birds, considers this territory as an area of global importance.

This declaration strengthens and will increase collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, MAATE, in order to follow up on the construction and implementation of the management plan of the Reserve. In addition, the Dry Forest of southern Ecuador is positioned on the national map of protected areas; With this, it is expected that public and private organizations will increase their support for the conservation of these ecosystems and the local communities that inhabit them.

The management of the Cazaderos Reserve is in charge of the Nature and Culture Foundation Ecuador FUNACE, which seeks to promote a model of co-management of the area, together with the neighboring communities of the Reserve.

Species monitoring in the Cazaderos Nature Reserve

The crocodile is one of the emblematic animals of Cazaderos. Therefore, programs have been developed to strengthen research, training, and tourism around this species, one of the southernmost and continental populations of the country and at the same time very, little known.

American Crocodile (*Crocodylus acutus*)

The first studies carried out in this area reveal that there are approximately 97 individuals in the area of influence of the Reserve. “We have worked with local communities and guides to promote herpetological tourism (science that studies amphibians and reptiles). The program consisted of night outings to learn about crocodiles, amphibians and snakes in a non-invasive and friendly way,” explains Daniel Sanmartín, FUNACE technician.

A similar program is being carried out together with the Nature and Art Foundation/Washu Project to encourage research and conservation of the golden-mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata aequatorialis). The first preliminary study in the Reserve has identified 119 individuals.

Sanmartín says that, as with crocodiles, through the training of local tour guides, the opportunity to develop sustainable tourism is encouraged in order to offer visitors the possibility of responsibly becoming familiar with the sites where this species is found.

FUNACE is working together with the Parish Government of Cazaderos, the organized Veconas communities and institutions and people interested in supporting in order to improve capacities and build infrastructure that allow promoting this area as a sustainable tourism offer. Ángela Piedad Rueda, president of the organization Guardians of the Border, believes that this new declaration will help promote all the attributes of this area.

Great news for conservation in Colombia! The Integrated Management Regional District, Cuchilla del San Juan extends its protection zone, now totaling 73,273.91 acres.

Integrated Management Regional District, (DRMI) is a category of protected area that gives communities who live in the area the right to sustainable development activities.
Cuchilla del San Juan supplies water to 33 community aqueducts, 1,919 direct users, and 68 villages with around 8,000 residents.
Approximately 92.3% of the land cover of the protected area is Andean and sub-Andean forest in a good state of conservation.

The initiative to conserve Cuchilla del San Juan began in the early 1990s. In 2000, the area was officially declared an Integrated Management Regional District (DRMI) protected area. This declaration included an expansion of 27,277.96 acres. The DRMI category of protected areas in Colombia includes an action plan and regulates the use and management of renewable natural resources and economic activities that take place within them. Cuchilla del San Juan is home to communities whose main economic activity is agriculture; mainly sugarcane, plantain, cocoa, livestock, and fish farming.

In February 2020, Nature and Culture began the process of another expansion in coordination with the Humboldt Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society, and communities that live within the protected area and its surroundings. Today 45,993.72 acres have been added to the area, totaling 73,273.91 acres of protected Andean and sub-Andean forests.

Panoramic of Cuchilla del San Juan | Photo: Humboldt Institute

A key area for conserving water and biodiversity

Located in west-central Colombia, Cuchilla del San Juan supplies potable water to 33 community aqueducts, 1,919 direct users, and 68 villages with around 8,000 inhabitants.

The most abundant river (96,091 ft3/sec) that empties into the Pacific Ocean in America is born in Cuchilla del San Juan: the San Juan River. This river is very important for the Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities of the Chocó since they live on its banks and use it for fishing and navigation.

Because it is located at the confluence of the Andean Chocó and the Tropical Andes, Cuchilla del San Juan is key to Colombia’s ecosystem connectivity and a hotspot for biodiversity. Findings from biological expeditions carried out in the expanded area recorded 1,636 species of both plants and animals; among them, the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the puma (Puma concolor) and birds of interest for ecological tourism such as the aurinegra tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys) and the Tatamá bangsia (Bangsia aureocincta).

Puma descansando en un árbol — Puma (Puma concolor) Photo: Humboldt Institute

Of the identified species, 116 are endemic. Among plants, it is estimated that there are 47 endemic species; of which, 14 are threatened, including the Magnolia jardinensis (endemic and Critically Endangered) and Magnolia urraoensis (endemic and Endangered) trees.

Of the species registered, 307 are declining in population. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN), 53 are Threatened, 8 are Critically Endangered, 13 are Endangered, and 27 are Vulnerable.

“We were blind to the wealth we have because we see it every day. We were unaware of its potential, not only for our environment but globally. It is a corridor that covers us from the south of Antioquia to Tatamá. We have a pantry rich in fauna and flora”.
– Luis Elías Grajales, Community Resident

Thanks to the expansion of the protected area of Cuchilla del San Juan, species in the area grow in status as Conservation Object Values (COV), demanding a management plan to maintain and increase the number of existing individuals and prevent their decline.

Long-term protection of the area and local challenges

The abundance of life and richness within the protected area of Cuchilla del San Juan may increase its potential for threats.

Pressures on the health of the area include negative interactions between people and wildlife, such as cats and eagles, unplanned agricultural activities, and monoculture systems. It will also be a challenge to regulate local communities’ use of natural resources in the area and for the local environmental authority to minimize negative effects on the protected area through surveillance and control strategies.

With the declaration of this expansion, the management plan of the area will be updated, identifying opportunities for local benefit that contribute to the conservation, such as activities to strengthen governance, sustainable production systems, sustainable tourism, ecological restoration, and biodiversity monitoring.

A collaborative effort

The expansion process of the DRMI Cuchilla del San Juan was made possible thanks to the active participation and commitment of the communities of the municipalities of Pueblo Rico and Mistrató, the articulated work of the Humboldt Institute, WCS, Carder, the environmental authority, Fecomar and the support of Nature and Culture International and Andes Amazon Fund.

“Social dialogue is key to being able to consolidate a protected area project. Partnering with local social and environmental organizations is strategic to build capacities around conservation and thus give it sustainability over time. The communities that inhabit this area will also benefit through support for projects to promote sustainable ecological tourism and the strengthening of their capacities.”
-Luis Santiago Castillo, Researcher at the Humboldt Institute and Nature and Culture partner

For World Rainforest Day, will you join our community of monthly donors who have pledged to protect South America’s rainforests year-round?

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Not all rainforests are alike

Rainforests are ecosystems that experience a large amount of annual rainfall. They support an incredible number of plants, animals, and other life forms. Although they occur in different parts of the planet, tropical rainforests are found on and around the equator where sunlight is consistent throughout the year.

Nature and Culture International has projects and protected areas in rainforest ecosystems in many types of rainforest in South America. Our work occurs in the lowland Amazon rainforest, cloud forests in the Andes, and the Chocó forest of coastal Colombia and northern Ecuador.

Andean Cloud Forest: Highland rainforest

The extraordinary cloud forests of the Andes are a type of mid-altitude tropical rainforest. When humid air, transpired from the billions of trees in the lowland Amazon, moves west and up the mountain slopes of the Andes, some of it condenses and falls as rain. Some remain in the form of low clouds and mist, which condenses directly onto the foliage of cloud forest trees.

Cloud forests extend from about 3,000 feet in elevation up to about 8,000 feet, so temperatures tend to be cooler than in lowland rainforests. The terrain is often on steep slopes, with more open canopy, leading to more vegetation on the forest floor.

These higher-elevation forests are characterized by waterfalls and quick-moving, shallow rivers.

Cloud forest trees are often covered in plants called epiphytes, which capture much of the moisture found in cloud forests. Clouds and mist condense on the epiphytes’ leaves and pool at the bases of epiphytes (providing habitat for insects and some types of frogs). Trees here are generally shorter than in lowland rainforest, hence the cloud forest tree canopy is lower.

Nature and Culture is currently working with local communities and authorities in our North Andes Mosaic to protect highland forest in Peru which is essential for providing water resources to over two million people who live in the region.

Amazon: Tropical rainforest east of the Andes

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest on Earth, with the highest density of plant and animal species anywhere.

This region provides essential ecological services, stabilizing the world’s rainfall patterns and storing massive amounts of carbon that mitigate climate change.

This lowland rainforest is east of the Andes mountain range and spans eight South American countries. The Amazon is impressively large, more than double the size of the next two largest rainforests combined. It is also well known for its mighty Amazon River which is made up of 1,100 tributaries, including the Marañón River which is considered the source of the Amazon in Peru.

The province of Loreto, Peru, is facing the second-highest rate of deforestation in Peru. Nature and Culture is currently partnering with Indigenous communities and local authorities through sustainable livelihood projects in our Nanay-Tigre Mosaic.

Chóco: Coastal rainforest west of the Andes

On a strip of forest in western Colombia and Northwestern Ecuador, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andean mountain range is the Chocó forest.

It is a dense and diverse tropical rainforest that blends with adjoining mangrove forests, rocky cliffs, and coastal plains.

It is one of the world’s wettest rainforests and one of the most biologically rich areas in the world. Many species here cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, such as the golden poison frog (one of the three most poisonous vertebrates in the world).

Between two to three percent of this ecosystem is left, making it one of the most threatened and lesser-known forests in the world. With Nature and Culture International’s support, the Bajo Baudó protected area was established in 2018. This is the largest regional protected area ever created in Colombia. We are currently working in our Southern Chocó Mosaic to declare two new protected areas and establish sustainable management plans.

Why we protect rainforests

Although rainforests only cover 6 percent of our planet, an estimated 80 percent of terrestrial animals, plants, and fungi species worldwide live within them. Many species have not yet even been described by science. Rainforests contain a huge amount of biodiversity, which has major implications for our health, including improving mental well-being, preventing zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans – e.g. West Nile virus, Lyme Disease, and some types of coronaviruses, among many others) from entering human populations, and providing fresh water, clean air, and vital medicines. Indigenous peoples have lived in and sustainably managed tropical rainforests for centuries, if not millennia. Many Indigenous communities are reliant upon the natural resources that the rainforest provides, particularly clean water.

By destroying rainforests, humans are exacerbating the climate crisis by releasing additional CO₂ into the atmosphere. All rainforests have a huge volume of carbon stored in the vast amount of vegetation they house. There is so much carbon stored in these ecosystems that, if released, it would not be able to be restored by the 2050 global goal of reaching net-zero emissions; this is known as “Irrecoverable Carbon”.

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and every day, it is important to support rainforest conservation and raise awareness of the threats they face.

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There are a number of ways our team works to conserve biodiverse hotspots throughout Latin America. We employ many different strategies to protect wild places, from municipal and local level government protection to national level protection, to land purchase when necessary. No matter the method, we always consider the local communities who live in these areas along with long-term ecosystem health.

Supporting local communities is key to long-term conservation

In 25+ years, Nature and Culture has never seen a protected area reversed and we believe that is because of our commitment to serving local communities. The relationships we have built with the people who live in the areas we work to protect are key to our success. Our co-management model is what sets us apart. Providing access to legal tools to establish a protected area, technical training for skills such as monitoring a protected area for threats, or investing in a new means of sustainably generating income from local resources are just a few of the ways we support the WHOLE ecosystem.

Our protected areas are living, breathing, dynamic spaces that require fostering relationships and understanding local needs. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are often the initial advocates for the protected areas we support. We simply provide them with the tools they need to safeguard their natural resources like clean water and fresh air. This approach in turn supports the health of the tiniest of species and the health of the entire planet.

Peru’s Ministry of Environment recognizes Nature and Culture and local communities

Last month Nature and Culture Project Managers, Lleydy Alvarado and Elvis Allauja attended the National Service of Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP) annual meeting. SERNANP, an agency of Peru’s National Ministry of Environment, presented the official declaration of two new Private Conservation Areas (ACP) Yasgolca-Santa Lucia, Montevideo in Amazonas, and Utco in Cajamarca. Both areas were declared in February of this year, and together they protect more than 19,000 acres of the dry forests of Marañón, Yungas, and montane forests.

SERNANP meeting in Peru where the team was recognized for their work with Utco and Montevideo Private Conservation Areas.

Our team in Peru was recognized along with the presidents of each of these two new Private Conservation Areas, with whom Nature and Culture’s technical team collaborated to create the new areas. In response to our team’s dedication to supporting the local effort, SERNANP recognized Nature and Culture for its important contribution to the declaration of both areas and for being an ally in the departments of Piura, Cajamarca, Amazonas, Huánuco, Loreto and Ucayali.

Alan Sánchez, Nature and Culture’s Environmental Legal Coordinator accepted the recognition award on behalf of the team.

Two new protected areas cover more than 19,000 acres

The Yasgolca-Santa Lucia Private Conservation Area, Montevideo protects 11,677.43 acres and is an important water source for communities in the Amazonas region of Northern Peru. Establishing this protected area was crucial for the local community because it plays a fundamental role in water regulation. This ecosystem is also a significant carbon capture and connects to other nearby protected areas. According to Lleydy Alvarado, both newly declared areas connect with other conservation areas, which creates a larger wildlife habitat. It’s not enough to simply establish areas, says Lleydy, they need to be connected so the team’s environmental services are more effective.

The Yasgolca-Santa Lucia Private Conservation Area, Montevideo protects 11,677.43 acres and is an important water source for communities in Amazonas.

The Utco Private Conservation Area protects 7,562.31 acres of dry forest. This unique ecosystem is known for being an epicenter of biodiversity. It is home to a large number of endemic birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. Together these two new areas protect over 19,000 acres and are critical to local inhabitants’ well-being.

View from within the Utco Private Conservation Area that protects 7,562 acres of dry forest. Photo courtesy of Elvis Allauja

Congratulations to our team in Peru and the communities of Utco and Montevideo for their determination to conserve their ecosystems.

Real Stories. Real Impact.

New protected areas, beekeeping for conservation, and gender equity in reforestation are a few of the stories you’ll explore in our 2023 Spring Newsletter!

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As a supporter of Nature and Culture, take a moment to review our impact in 2022!

Our 2022 Annual Impact Report is a testament to our commitment to community-based conservation. As trailblazers in this field, the well-being of local communities is as important as protecting and conserving natural resources. For us, those go hand in hand.

Our work is organized into 5 key strategy areas: wild places, climate, water, people, and species. As you read through this report, you’ll see how our team approaches our projects through these lenses, ensuring the long term overall health of the areas we protect.

Please remember that none of this would be possible without the generous support we’ve received from so many of you!

There are two new conservation areas located in Cajamarca and Amazonas, Peru which protect 19239.74 acres of dry forest, pajonal, and montane forests.
The conservation areas will protect these ecosystems, the habitat of important species, and strengthen community organization.

The Ministry of Environment of Peru recognized two areas of private conservation (ACP) this week. The ACP UTCO in Cajamarca and the ACP Yasgolca-Santa Lucia, Montevideo in Amazonas. Both natural spaces have a unique natural wealth.

The UTCO conservation area protects 7562.31 acres of the dry forest, known for being an epicenter of biodiversity, thanks to the important endemism of flora and wildlife.

9 species of endemic birds, 9 species of endemic reptiles, and an endemic amphibian can only be found in the UTCO conservation area. In addition, “it is a natural research center, where 20 species of endemic flora have been reported in critical danger, such as Parkinsonia Peruviana, Cedrela Kuelapensis, Caesalpinia Celendiniana, and Piptadenia Weberbaueri,” said Elvis Allauja, Nature and Culture International.

The Yasgolca-Santa Lucia Private Conservation Area, Montevideo protects 11677.43 acres of pajonal and montane forest. The area is an important natural source of water, providing this vital resource to communities in Amazonas. Also, it is home to 140 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, and 14 species of mammals.

The area protects threatened species, such as Polylepis Racosa and Cedrela. This area is also home to species such as Johnson’s spatulilla (Poecilotriccus luluae), spectacled bear (tremarctos ornatus), and night monkey (Aotus miconax).

Life and the forest

The officially declared areas connect with other conservation areas, allowing wildlife to have more habitable space, according to Lleydy Alvarado, of Nature and Culture International.

Montevideo’s main ecosystem services are carbon capture and water regulation, which is why Alvarado points out that it is not enough to establish areas, they need to be connected so that their environmental services are more effective.

Long-term protection

For years, it was believed that ecosystems possessed inexhaustible ecosystem goods and services, which has led to the overexploitation of forests. Due to this, the communities of Utco and Montevideo decided to return to the forest and work to achieve the official recognition of their conservation areas.

The process to establish both private conservation areas was made possible thanks to the effort and perseverance of both communities, with the technical support of Nature and Culture International and the support of Re:wild, and Andes Amazon Fund in Utco; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Montevideo.

Five new drop-dead-gorgeous tree-dwelling snake species were discovered in the jungles of Ecuador, Colombia, and Panama. Conservationists Leonardo DiCaprio, Brian Sheth, and Nature and Culture International chose the names for three of them in honor of loved ones while raising awareness about the issue of rainforest destruction at the hands of open-pit mining operations. The research was conducted by Ecuadorian biologist Alejandro Arteaga, an Explorers Club Discovery Expedition Grantee, and Panamanian biologist Abel Batista.

Sibon irmelindicaprioae, named after Leonardo DiCaprio’s mother, is the rarest of the lot. It occurs in the Chocó-Darién jungles of eastern Panama and western Colombia. Photo by Alejandro Arteaga of Khamai Foundation.

The mountainous areas of the upper-Amazon rainforest and the Chocó-Darién jungles are world-renowned for the wealth of new species discovered in this region. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they also house some of the largest gold and copper deposits in the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the proliferation of illegal open-pit gold and copper mining operations in the jungles of Ecuador, Colombia, and Panama has particularly affected a group of five new species of tree-dwelling snakes: the snail-eaters.

Illegal gold mining operation along the shores of the Nangaritza River, southeastern Ecuador, habitat of at least five species of snail-eating snakes, including the newly described Welborn’s Snail-eating Snake (Dipsas welborni) named by Nature and Culture International. Photo by Alejandro Arteaga.

In a period of four months, miners took control of a 70-hectare area along the Jatunyacu River, destroying important riparian rainforest habitat and polluting one of the most important tributaries of the Amazon River. Photo by Ivan Castaneira.

Neotropical snail-eating snakes (genera Sibon and Dipsas), have a unique lifestyle that makes them particularly prone to the effects of gold and copper mining. First, they are arboreal, so they cannot survive in areas devoid of vegetation, such as in open-pit mines. Second, they feed exclusively on slugs and snails, a soft-bodied type of prey that occurs mostly along streams and rivers and is presumably declining because of the pollution of water bodies.

Sibon marleyae, named after conservationist Brian Sheth’s daughter was discovered in the most humid and pristine Chocó rainforests of Ecuador and Colombia. Photo by Jose Vieira.

“When I first explored the rainforests of Nangaritza River in 2014, I remember thinking the place was an undiscovered and unspoiled paradise,” says Alejandro Arteaga, author of the research study on these snakes, which was published in the journal ZooKeys. “In fact, the place is called Nuevo Paraíso in Spanish, but it is a paradise no more. Hundreds of illegal gold miners using backhoe loaders have now taken possession of the river margins, which are now destroyed and turned into rubble.”

The presence of a conservation area may not be enough to keep the snail-eating snakes safe. In southeastern Ecuador, illegal miners are closing in on Maycu Reserve, ignoring landowner rights and even making violent threats to anyone opposed to the extraction of gold. Even rangers and their families are tempted to quit their jobs to work in illegal mining, as it is much more lucrative. A local park ranger reports that by extracting gold from the Nangaritza River, local people can earn what would otherwise be a year’s salary in just a few weeks. “Sure, it is illegal and out of control, but the authorities are too afraid to intervene,” says the park ranger. “Miners are just too violent and unpredictable.”

Dipsas welborni is named after David Welborn, former member of the board of foundation Nature and Culture International. This NGO manages Maycu Reserve, a private conservation area where this snake and many other new species inhabit. Photo by Alejandro Arteaga.

Ecuadorian biologist Amanda Queza during the discovery of the new species Dipsas welborni in Maycu Reserve, southeastern Ecuador. Photo by Alejandro Arteaga.

In Panama, large-scale copper mining is affecting the habitat of two of the new species: Sibon irmelindicaprioae and S. canopy. Unlike the illegal gold miners in Ecuador and Colombia, the extraction in this case is legal and at the hands of a single corporation: Minera Panamá S.A., a subsidiary of the Canadian-based mining and metals company First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Although the forest destruction at the Panamanian mines is larger in extent and can easily be seen from space, its borders are clearly defined and the company is under the purview of local environmental authorities.

Illegal mining activity in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon doubled between 2021 and 2022. Photo by Jorge Anhalzer.

“Both legal and illegal open-pit mines are uninhabitable for the snail-eating snakes,” says Arteaga, “but the legal mines may be the lesser of two evils. At the very least they respect the limit of nearby protected areas, answer to a higher authority, and are presumably unlikely to enact violence on park rangers, researchers, and conservationists.”

Sibon canopy is named in honor of the Canopy Family system of reserves, particularly its Canopy Lodge in Valle de Antón, Coclé province, Panama. Photo by Alejandro Arteaga.

Sibon canopy, one of the newly described species, appears to have fairly stable populations inside protected areas of Panama, although elsewhere nearly 40% of its habitat has been destroyed. At Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos, where it is found, there has been a reduction in the number of park rangers (already very few for such a large protected area). This makes it easier for loggers and poachers to reach previously unspoiled habitats that are essential for the survival of the snakes.

In the Ecuadorian Amazon, gold miners hide in the jungle during military controls and resume activities days later. Photo by Jorge Anhalzer.

An Ecuadorian miner shows the gold she has collected and that she will use to pay for any family emergency. Photo by Ivan Castaneira.

Lack of employment and the high price of gold aggravate the situation. No legal activity can compete against the “gold bonanza.” More and more often, farmers, park rangers, and indigenous people are turning to illegal activities to provide for their families, particularly during crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, when NGO funding was at its lowest.

Sibon ayerbeorum, a species previously known only from Colombia, was now also found in Ecuador. Photo by Jose Vieira.

“These new species of snake are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of new species discoveries in this region, but if illegal mining continues at this rate, there may not be an opportunity to make any future discoveries,” concludes Alejandro Arteaga.

Fortunately, three NGOs in Ecuador and Panama (NCI, Khamai, and Adopta Bosque) have already made it their mission to save the snake’s habitat from the emerging gold mining frenzy. Supporting these organizations is vital, because their quest for immediate land protection is the only way to save the snakes from extinction.

Support NCI: https://www.natureandculture.org/donate

Support Fundación Adopta Bosque: https://adoptabosque.org

Support Khamai Foundation: https://www.khamai.bio/save_amazon_rainforest_from_gold_mining.html

A biodiverse marine paradise in Peru is now protected!

A paradise of marine biodiversity

A long road to conservation

We are proud to have been part of this important conservation milestone for Peru’s marine ecosystem!

The effectiveness of our collaborative efforts is remarkable, and none of this would have been possible without you, our Nature and Culture Community! Since our founding, in total we have protected 26 million acres, preventing 3.9 billion tons of CO2 emissions!

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As you read through our Impact Report, we invite you to join us in celebrating our achievements.

2023 Annual Impact Report

Great news for conservation in Colombia! A new protected area, Las Siete Sabias-Esperanza de Vida, has been declared, spanning 75,115 acres of Colombian Chocó rainforest.

Natural Wonders of the Chocó Tropical Rainforest

A community commitment to conservation

DRMI: A protection category that allows sustainable use of natural resources

A warning of the consequences of illegal mining

Chordeleg protects endemic and endangered species

Conservation of Natural and Cultural Wealth

Habitat for threatened species

Protection of water sources

Significant Progress in Conservation and Sustainable Use in Sucúa Region

Conserving the Dry Forest Together: The “Los Guayacanes” Communal Partnership

The Dry Forest is home to a Variety of Species

Climate Change has affected this year’s bloom

What are Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas?

Connecting to Nearby Protected Areas

A Biodiverse Paradise

A Milestone for the Conservation of Machángara Tomebamba

COLLABORATION FOR LONG-TERM CONSERVATION

Wildfires in Southern Ecuador are destroying habitat for numerous species including the rare Ecuadorian Vizcacha.

Over 2,000 acres were reported to be affected by the wildfires as of September 21, 2023.

Welcome to Nature and Culture’s latest conservation update, a direct glimpse into our ongoing efforts across Latin America.

Real Stories. Real Impact.

The Laderas Norte Community, the NATIVA Foundation, and Nature and Culture International established the first rural municipal protected area in Bolivia’s Southeastern Tarija Province that will protect important nesting ground for the emblematic condor.

A tragic background

A turning point toward conservation

Reserve highlights

Species monitoring in the Cazaderos Nature Reserve

Great news for conservation in Colombia! The Integrated Management Regional District, Cuchilla del San Juan extends its protection zone, now totaling 73,273.91 acres.

A key area for conserving water and biodiversity

Located in west-central Colombia, Cuchilla del San Juan supplies potable water to 33 community aqueducts, 1,919 direct users, and 68 villages with around 8,000 inhabitants.

Long-term protection of the area and local challenges

The abundance of life and richness within the protected area of Cuchilla del San Juan may increase its potential for threats.

A collaborative effort

For World Rainforest Day, will you join our community of monthly donors who have pledged to protect South America’s rainforests year-round?

Not all rainforests are alike

Andean Cloud Forest: Highland rainforest

These higher-elevation forests are characterized by waterfalls and quick-moving, shallow rivers.

Amazon: Tropical rainforest east of the Andes

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest on Earth, with the highest density of plant and animal species anywhere.

Chóco: Coastal rainforest west of the Andes

It is a dense and diverse tropical rainforest that blends with adjoining mangrove forests, rocky cliffs, and coastal plains.

Why we protect rainforests

For World Rainforest Day

Supporting local communities is key to long-term conservation

Peru’s Ministry of Environment recognizes Nature and Culture and local communities

Two new protected areas cover more than 19,000 acres

Real Stories. Real Impact.

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