This project is run out of the belief that local people have the will and the ability to conserve their own forests and would do so when given the right guidance and support.

On the 15th and 16th of July 2009, NPC together with American NGO Community Conservation organized a workshop on Community Conservation dedicated to the conservation of endemic species in Amazonas and San Martin. The main objective of the workshop was to create network of contacts between interested individuals and local communities and the institutions that support conservation initiatives.

The main presentations were provided by Dr. Robert Horwich of Community Conservation, who shared his wealth of experience in working with local communities all over the world. The participants were incredibly varied including NGO’s, Universities, churches, government agencies, local organizations, educational representatives, media, tourist agents and most importantly representatives from many communities in Amazonas and San Martin. Many gave talks and shared their experiences and all participated in group activities that led to important contacts between organizations and individuals.

Another result of this event was a draft map of the region of Amazonas and San Martin that shows all conservation initiatives  identified by the workshop participants. This map will be used as part of a bi-regional plan for a network of community conservation initiatives.

During and after the workshop we received enquiries from various communities and associations interested in conserving their forests. We are now following those contacts to create new conservation reserves. This work is being done in full collaboration with SPDA (Peruvian Society for Environmental Rights) who assist the communities with legal issues involved in registering reserves. Creating the reserves is a long process; it includes biological investigation of the area, socioeconomic studies, capacity building of the local population on how to run a reserve, elaboration of management plans which include vigilance of the reserve and economic alternatives for the local communities so that they have the means to do all the necessary work. The areas that were chosen by the different communities vary in size and forest type, which means that they will protect many different species of flora and fauna.