Page 28 - BHP | BHP Foundation Booklet 2019

Alto Mayo Forest Conservation

Reversing the trends of forest loss and degradation in the Amazon is one in the Canadian Boreal
of the most pressing global sustainable development challenges of our time.
This project is empowering Awajun Indigenous communities and migrant farmers The Nature Conservancy is working with First Nations to create a new model for land
to become effective stewards of the Alto Mayo landscape’s natural resources. management and a resilient future for the people and nature of Canada’s boreal forest.

Conservation International is working This project will enable the This project aims to secure lasting Progress and achievements
“ We aim to improve a to turn the tide against deforestation conservation of remaining forests “ This project is so important conservation results in nine million Since commencing in 2017, this five-
sustainable development in one of the world’s biodiversity while promoting sustainable business because the work is led by the hectares of Canada’s boreal forest year project has supported knowledge
model for Indigenous hotspots – the Alto Mayo region activities in Alto Mayo, including coffee communities, ensuring the by demonstrating a new model of exchanges about Indigenous-led
communities, that can be of the Peruvian Amazon. and cacao agroforestry systems and outcomes, learnings and skills shared land management among efforts in their communities.
replicated in at least another The Alto Mayo landscape covers alternative economic activities such to do this work is driven and First Nations, the Manitoba This has included:
four million hectares of the approximately 700,000 hectares as tourism and products derived from built by local people, so they Government and forest industry.
Peruvian Amazon, as well as and has a population of more than medicinal plants or other non timber can continue this work in the By transforming the way natural • organizing a learning exchange
the other seven countries with 230,000 people. Since 2001, this forest products. In this way, the Project long term. It’s also important resource decisions are made the on Healthy Country Planning
forests and Indigenous people area has lost around 15 per cent of will support Peruvian government because the approach is project aims to strengthen and support (Indigenous-centered land-use
in the broader Amazon basin.” its forest cover, with the deforestation efforts to reduce deforestation holistic, looking at community the voices, choices and actions of planning methodology)
frontier expanding in the mostly and associated greenhouse gas well-being as the foundation Indigenous peoples as they determine for communities;
intact Indigenous Awajun territories. emissions, and contribute to long-term but also considering how to manage and develop the • organizing a regional gathering
green economic development and
conservation of cultural and
with more than 40 First Nations
This deforestation is driven by biodiversity conservation targets. ecological values as well as natural resources in their territories. representatives in attendance
unsustainable farming practices, supporting livelihoods and to talk about moose management
much of which stems from migrant By helping Alto Mayo’s Indigenous long-term economic benefits.” and Indigenous perspectives
farmers who rent land from the and farming communities achieve on their relationship to moose; and
Awajun and use practices poorly economic self-sufficiency based • supporting two key First Nations in
suited to the region’s tropical soils. on the region’s biodiversity, the project
will empower Indigenous communities the Manitoba project area to further
and migrants to become effective develop their Guardian programs
stewards of the landscape’s natural through grants, technical assistance
resources and help secure the future and sponsoring a Guardian exchange
of the Amazon. between Manitoba First Nations and
the Gitanyow First Nation.

Claudio Schneider Amanda Karst,
Senior Technical Director, Manitoba Program Director,
Conservation International Peru The Nature Conservancy

28 29