EMPOWERING CULTURES

SUPERFOODS THAT CONSERVE FORESTS

Achieving conservation and sustainable development with local communities.

Loreto is an important region for forest protection and climate mitigation efforts due to its large forest areas, huge carbon stock, as well as extraordinary biological and ethnic diversity. However, it has the second-highest deforestation rate in Peru, which is closely linked to the lack of options for sustainable incomegenerating activities. In collaboration with partner organizations, Nature and Culture launched Superfoods that Conserve Forests, a project to achieve sustainable conservation and empower communities in the region.

Superfoods that Conserve Forests is supporting local indigenous communities in Loreto to develop a sustainable fruit harvesting business. The business will protect the area’s habitat and rich biodiversity by increasing the value of standing forest and secure sustainable livelihoods for communities.

Since the project launch in October, 16 communities have received training to safely harvest Amazonian aguaje and camu camu fruits for commercialization, as well as training to monitor the forest and develop management plans. After selling harvested fruits to AJE, an international beverage producer, communities manage and distribute their revenues for wider social and ecological benefit.

Harvesting aguaje in the Peruvian Amazon.

With your help, we are currently supporting the creation of a formal association of communities to better manage the production and commercialization of Amazonian fruits.

This project is financed by Partnerships For Forests, administered by Earth Innovation Institute, and executed by Nature and Culture International – Peru, AMPA Peru, AMARUMAYU Community, and Frutama.