PROTECTING THE LOWLANDS
PROTECTING THE LOWLANDS
Tambopata in Madre de Dios, Peru is world-renowned as a biodiversity hotspot. Incredibly, it supports nearly 60% of the world’s plant, bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species. Sadly, the region is continually facing destruction from illegal gold mining, logging, and slash and burn agriculture. Simply put, its existence is constantly being threatened.
In 2014, ARC acquired the title to a 616-hectare Brazil nut concession in Tambopata that is home to over 100 Brazil nut trees. These giant trees are important as they store large amounts of carbon. They also provide sustainable income for local communities through the annual Brazil nut harvest – a harvest which causes no harm to the forest.
In 2023, we expanded our Brazil nut concession by purchasing an additional 79 hectares. This acquisition was a strategic one for several reasons. For starters, it allows us to save thirty-three old-growth hardwood trees which were at high risk of being logged. This land is also home to an additional ten brazil nut trees, a mammal clay lick and an avian clay lick. All of which are important features for the health of rainforest species.
Our new land acquisition also includes a cleared area measuring two acres. And these two acres are next to the river and near a fresh water stream. These features make it an ideal spot to build our forest ranger/research station. Plans for this station are already underway.
PROTECTING THE LOS AMIGOS CONSERVATION CONCESSION (LACC):
ARC provides two forest guardians (Promotores de Conservación) to assist the Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazónica (ACCA) patrol and protect this 146,000 hectares of pristine old-growth rainforest. LACC is home to an abundance of wildlife, including at least 12 globally threatened species, including giant otters, harpy eagles, spider monkeys and jaguars, with over 550 birds on the bird list.
The land parcel is also adjacent to the Reserve for Indigenous People in Voluntary Isolation. So, it acts as a very important buffer zone to ensure their freedom and right to live their traditional lives.
The forest guardians patrol and protect this vital wilderness from the threats of illegal logging, gold mining, road development and poachers. Drone and high-resolution satellite monitoring assist them by alerting them to occurrence of illegal activities within the concession.
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