Golden-backed Mountain Tanager (Cnemathraupis aureodorsalis) Photographs: Islas de Paz
In this second round, the Conserva Aves initiative will work on the protection of 239,786 hectares distributed in six Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA/ACB) in Loreto, Amazonas, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Junín and Huánuco. The selected projects prioritize the protection of endemic, migratory and endangered birds in areas that coincide with Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites.
Biodiversity conservation efforts are sustained by community articulation. Each proposal integrates local governance, environmental education and sustainable livelihoods, with a special emphasis on women's leadership. As a result, three of the six projects will receive funding from the Equity Fund, highlighting the role of women in land management and conservation.
The organizations selected to implement the Conserve Birds Initiative in Peru are:
Conservation and environmental research (CIAM): A Peruvian non-profit organization founded in 2024 that works for biodiversity and the well-being of communities. Its work integrates culture, science and education to promote sustainable development from the territories, respecting community rights and promoting initiatives for territorial management and climate action.
- Selected project: “Conservation and community participatory action for the recognition of the Nevado de Tunsho Private Conservation Area (ACP)”.”
- Amount of financing: S/.350,000.00
- Location: Junín
- KBA/ACB: North Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve
- Expected acreage: 5,849.24 ha
The project aims to strengthen community conservation with a gender and intercultural approach through biological monitoring of birds, local capacity building, financial sustainability linked to traditional livelihoods, and peer governance. It will protect emblematic species such as Cinclodes palliatus (CR) and Vultur gryphus (VU), promoting a biocultural conservation model in the Andes that can be replicated in other territories.
2. National Association of Executors of Contracts for the Administration of Communal Reserves of Peru (ANECAP): Created in 2017 in Puerto Maldonado, it is the national indigenous organization representing the Communal Reserves of Peru. Its objective is to support and coordinate the management of the Administration Contract Executors (ECA), strengthening the administration of communal reserves and ensuring compliance with administration contracts under the Special Regime.
- Selected project: “Strengthen the intervention of women in the process of establishing the Bajo Putumayo Yaguas Communal Reserve”.”
- Amount of financing: S/.180,000.00
- Location: Loreto
- KBA/ACB: Yaguas National Park
- Expected hectares: 160,575.89 (ha)
The project seeks to consolidate and institutionalize the management of the future Bajo Putumayo Communal Reserve, promoting co-management between SERNANP and the native communities under the communal reserve administration model. It also strengthens ANECAP's role as a national articulator of the Administration Contract Executors, with emphasis on conservation and sustainable management of the territory.
3. Peruvian Association for the Conservation of Nature (APECO)Founded in 1982, it is a non-profit organization that promotes biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Peru. Its work focuses on strengthening local and regional capacities for the management of national, regional and communal protected areas, as well as promoting environmental education, research, sustainable use of resources and biodiversity monitoring.
- Selected project: “Aguajales de la Comunidad Nativa Candungos Private Conservation Area”.”
- Amount of financing: S/.199,285.00
- Location: Amazonas
- KBA/ACB: Condor Mountain Range
- Expected hectares: 7,866.28 (ha)
The project seeks to conserve wetlands and flooded forests, recover the traditional knowledge of the Wampis people, strengthen community governance and vigilance, revalue the role of women, and create an ecological corridor between the Ichigkat Muja National Park and the Santiago Comaina Reserved Zone.
4. Yunkawasi: Founded in 2007, it is a Peruvian non-profit civil association that works for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Its mission is to promote an inclusive management of the territory, valuing the benefits of nature and defending the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of the communities.
- Selected project: “Participative Conservation of the Tropical Andes in the department of Ayacucho - Peru:”, Mayunmarca Cloud Forest Regional Conservation Area (RCA)
- Amount of financing: S/.349,830.00
- Location: Ayacucho
- KBA/ACB: Puyu Sacha
- Expected hectares:51,283.3 (ha)
The project seeks to strengthen the process of establishing the Mayunmarca Cloud Forest RCA, protecting 51,274.15 ha in Ayacucho, with emphasis on endemic and threatened birds, community participation, gender and intercultural approach.
5. Nature and Culture International (NCI): The organization works in partnership with local communities in Latin America to conserve biologically diverse landscapes. With a presence in five countries, it has protected more than 10 million hectares and supported the creation of long-term protected areas. In Peru, where it celebrated 20 years of work in 2024, it has contributed to the establishment of the 65% Regional Conservation Areas, reaffirming its commitment to nature and communities.
- Selected project: “Establishment of the Huamantanga and Chorro Blanco Montane Forests Regional Conservation Area to increase ecosystem connectivity in the Northern Andes Conservation Corridor”.”
- Amount of financing: S/.334,320.00
- Location: Cajamarca
- KBA/ACB: Northern Andes
- Expected hectares: 14,016.48 (ha)
The project aims to achieve official recognition of the area, strengthen its governance and financial sustainability, implement a monitoring plan for threatened birds, and strengthen local capacities in conservation, leadership, gender, and inclusion. This area is strategic for maintaining the connectivity of the Northern Andes Conservation Corridor (CCAN).
6. Islands of Peace: Founded in 2015 in Huanuco, it is a rural development NGO that promotes agroecology, sustainable family farming and sanitation systems to improve the quality of life of rural families.
- Selected project: “Expansion of the Unchog ACP for the Protection of Endemic and Threatened Birds in the Carpish Range”.”
- Amount of financing: S/.318,895.00
- Location: Huanuco
- KBA/ACB: Carpish
- Expected hectares:195.54 (ha)
The project seeks to protect endemic birds, strengthen community governance, implement participatory monitoring, promote ecotourism and develop management and financial sustainability plans with a focus on gender, interculturalism and community conservation.
Over the next 18 months, the organizations will implement key actions for the establishment of three Private Conservation Areas (PCAs), two Regional Conservation Areas (RCAs) and one Communal Reserve. Objectives include the development of Master Plans, Financial Sustainability Plans, biological monitoring of birds and local capacity building.
The accompaniment of Profonanpe and ECOAN, leading partners in Peru, will be fundamental to guarantee the fulfillment of these objectives, assuming the management and implementation of the projects, as well as capacity building and technical assistance. Thanks to this joint work, it will be possible to protect species such as the golden-rumped tanager (Cnemathraupis aureodorsalis), the bay-ventilated Cotinga (Doliornis sclateri) or the black and brown eagle (Spizaetus isidori), The company is also promoting the well-being of entire communities through women's empowerment.
The Conserva Birds Initiative is led by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the National Audubon Society (Audubon), BirdLife International, Birds Canada, and the Latin American and Caribbean Environmental Funds Network (RedLAC). The national partners are Profonanpe and ECOAN, which are leading the implementation in Peru, with funding from the Government of Canada.
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Odilie Sanchez
Poultry Preserves Project Manager - Profonanpe
Rosa Gordillo
Technical Specialist of the Conserva Aves Project - Profonanpe
