The Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot is the most biologically diverse region on Earth with about 15,000 endemic plant and 75 endemic mammal species, one of them is the Critically Endangered yellow tailed woolly monkey. It is also one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world due to rapid human population growth and high levels of deforestation. Less than 25% of this hotspot’s original area is still available habitat to wildlife.

The human population in La Esperanza and the neighbouring communities suffers from severe poverty. Environmental problems such as localised climate changes, impoverishment of soils, landslides and growing scarcity of natural resources like wood and water are also increasingly noticeable in the area. For these reasons our reforestation project is highly valuable for local people as well as the native flora and fauna. Indeed, more and more communities from the Amazonas region are requesting our help in realizing reforestation and conservation work. 

With a grant from Restore-UK we have been able to build three community-run native tree species nurseries, and three nurseries in different schools which are run by the children. The purpose of the nurseries is not solely for producing trees for reforestation work, but also for teaching people how to work and plant trees which we combine with education work; enabling people to recognize the need for forests.

The best marker of success is the fact that the people have carried out the majority of the work themselves and now feel ownership of the nurseries; this is the best way to ensure that the work will continue into the future. In all of the communities where we have worked, many people (even children) have started their own nurseries independently of NPC. Many people are coming to us for advice on how to obtain potting bags and how to do the work; we believe that a few thousand extra trees have been planted in the area as a result of this project, not including the trees from our nurseries.

Reforestation themes include enrichment planting of selectively logged forests with hardwood trees and creation of multiple use forest buffer zones.  Also, enrichment of pastures with legumes and other plants to improve lands, attract wildlife and reduce the need for clear cutting of new pastures by increasing the lifespan of existing pastures. NPC also raises public awareness on the importance of reforestation with native species, as opposed to using exotic trees like eucalyptus and pine, by giving special talks and poster presentations.

We are concentrating on native tree species which will benefit both human populations and wildlife such as: Cedro, Cedrela montana; Guaba, Inga sp.; Sangre de grado, Croton sp.; Hispingo y muena,  Lauracia spp.; Naranjo, Styloceras laurifolium; pajuro, Erythrina edulis; aliso; Alnus acuminate and Sacha inchi, Plukenetia sp.