Tierra Selva Wishes You a Happy New Year 2024!

As we bid farewell to another remarkable year, the team at Tierra Selva extends warm wishes and heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support in our mission to protect and conserve the Amazon rainforest.

The past year has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and through it all, your commitment to the preservation of this vital ecosystem has been a beacon of hope. Your contributions, both big and small, have played a significant role in our efforts to safeguard the rich biodiversity, indigenous cultures, and irreplaceable natural wonders that the Amazon generously bestows upon our planet.

In 2023, together, we achieved remarkable milestones in our conservation initiatives. From reforestation projects to community engagement programs, every step forward has been a testament to the collective strength of our global community united in the cause of environmental stewardship.

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, let’s carry the spirit of optimism and determination into 2024. The challenges ahead may be great, but so is our resolve to protect the Amazon rainforest. With your continued support, we look forward to implementing innovative conservation strategies, forging partnerships, and making a lasting impact on the future of this precious ecosystem.

May the New Year bring joy, prosperity, and renewed dedication to our shared vision of a sustainable and thriving Amazon. Together, let’s make 2024 a year of positive change for our planet.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year filled with hope, love, and the promise of a greener tomorrow.

With gratitude,
Tierra Selva Team and Board

In the midst of the 28th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, the international community united once again to tackle the pressing issue of global climate change. With a key focus on limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, the conference emphasized urgent measures to transition to clean energy, facilitate financial support for climate action in developing nations, and achieve the most inclusive participation to date.

One country deeply entrenched in environmental challenges is Peru, home to the second-largest portion of the Amazon rainforest. Facing rampant deforestation, Peru experienced unprecedented loss, with an estimated 26,000 km² disappearing over the past two decades.  In the San Martin department of Peru, specifically in Moyobamba, there was a significant loss of tree cover. In 2010, Moyobamba had 352 thousand hectares (kha) of tree cover, extending over 93% of its land area. However, in 2022, it lost 3.58 kha of tree cover, equivalent to 1.76 Mt of CO₂ emissions lost . The whole region has been grappling with illegal deforestation and environmental crimes, including exploitation by criminal groups seeking monetary gains and power. Tragically, this has led to several Peruvian environmentalist advocating for the Amazon losing their lives in the pursuit of environmental justice.

At COP28, Peru took significant steps to address its environmental challenges and contribute to global climate action. The country played a pivotal role in the signing of the declaration titled “A promise for nature and well-being for climate action” and inked a memorandum of understanding with Italy to promote climate action. These actions underscore Peru’s commitment to combating environmental degradation and aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

The COP28 conference concluded with a groundbreaking call for a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the urgency of adopting sustainable energy sources. This aligns with Tierra Selva’s mission, further emphasizing the need for a global shift towards eco-friendly practices.

In summary, the intersection of COP28 and the environmental challenges faced by Peru, particularly in the Amazon, highlights the critical role played by nations and advocacy groups like Tierra Selva in addressing climate change. The urgent need for international collaboration, policy reform, and sustainable practices has never been clearer. Tierra Selva’s ongoing efforts underscore the importance of grassroots initiatives in contributing to a sustainable future for our planet.

Tierra Selva, an environmental advocacy group rooted in Peru, has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Through various activities and programs, Tierra Selva has actively worked to mitigate deforestation, promote sustainable practices, and raise awareness about the critical importance of preserving biodiversity. The group’s dedication to environmental stewardship aligns with the international community’s call for collective action in the face of climate challenges.

Look for us at the next cop which will be hosted in Brazil.

The Tamarin Monkey is a small and colorful primate that lives in the Amazon rainforest. It is one of the most endangered animals in the world, facing many threats from human activities. Some of these threats are habitat destruction, hunting, illegal trade, and climate change. These factors reduce the population and diversity of tamarins, and put them at risk of extinction.

How can we help the tamarins survive and thrive in their natural environment? Rena Guenduez Tierra Selva’s technical advisor states “One way is to educate people, especially young people, about the importance of conservation. Many people who live near the tamarins’ habitat do not know much about them, or how their actions affect them. They may not be aware of the laws that protect the tamarins, or the benefits that they bring to the ecosystem. By teaching them about the tamarins, we can raise their awareness and appreciation of these amazing animals”.

Tierra Selva is an organization that works to protect the tamarins and their habitat. One of their programs is called Eco Warriers, which involves engaging with youth and education. They visit schools and communities near the tamarins’ habitat, and share information and activities about the tamarins. They also invite students to visit their conservation center, where they can see and interact with the tamarins. Through this program, they hope to inspire young people to become advocates for the tamarins, and to take action to conserve them. This youth program is run by Kevin Panduro who has been actively involved in wildlife conservation.

The Tamarin Monkey is a precious part of our planet’s biodiversity. It deserves our respect and care. By educating ourselves and others about the tamarins, we can make a difference in their future.

Here are some facts

This Tamarin Monkey is native to Central and South America and is one of the smallest pygmy monkey species. This monkey has a life span of 12-15 years, weighs between 220 to 900 grams and eats tropical fruits. They have long tails and sharp claws and can move between tree branches up to 24 miles per hour, making them extremely quick. They have a range of vocal calls and female tamarins are noted to give brith to fraternal twins. Most often they live in groups of 3 to 40 members, and all participate in the raising of the young.

San Martin has experienced notable rates of deforestation due to various factors, including agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and infrastructure development. According to statistics, between 2001 and 2018, San Martin lost approximately 1.2 million hectares of forest cover, representing a significant impact on the region’s biodiversity and ecosystem services.

To combat deforestation and promote sustainable land use practices, local organizations like tierra selva have been actively involved in capacity building initiatives. Tierra Selva, has played a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of forests, training local communities in sustainable farming techniques, planting trees, and providing alternative livelihood options.

These capacity building programs aim to empower local farmers to adopt agroforestry practices, promote reforestation efforts, and establish community-led forest management systems. By focusing on education, training, and sustainable development, Tierra Selva is playing a role towards mitigating deforestation and promoting the conservation of the unique ecosystems in and around the Province of Lamas.

Our Eco Warriors continue to advocate for reforestation.

The youth eco warriors of Tierra Selva are a passionate and dedicated group of young individuals who have taken it upon themselves to be the stewards of our planet’s future. Led by the visionary Kevin Panduro, these eco warriors are driven by a common mission to create awareness among youth, build capacity, and engage in various activities focused on environmental preservation, animal and plant rescue, advocacy against deforestation, and promoting human rights.

With a team comprising approximately 20 young people, the eco warriors of Tierra Selva are a force to be reckoned with. They understand the urgent need for action in the face of environmental degradation and its impact on the well-being of both ecosystems and communities. Through their tireless efforts, they strive to educate their peers about environmental issues and empower them to take a stand for a sustainable and just future.

Animal and plant rescue is a significant aspect of the eco warriors’ work. They actively participate in efforts to rescue and rehabilitate endangered species, providing them with a safe haven where they can thrive. By rescuing and protecting these animals, the youth eco warriors contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and highlight the importance of wildlife protection to their generation and beyond.

In addition to their conservation efforts, the eco warriors are fierce advocates against deforestation. They understand that forests are the lungs of our planet, providing oxygen, regulating climate, and hosting countless species. Through awareness campaigns, lobbying, and peaceful protests, they raise their voices against destructive practices and advocate for sustainable land use and forest conservation.

The youth eco warriors of Tierra Selva also recognize the intrinsic link between environmental issues and human rights. They strive to amplify the voices of marginalized communities impacted by environmental degradation, advocating for their rights to a clean and healthy environment. By combining environmental activism with a focus on social justice, they create a powerful message that addresses the interconnectedness of environmental and human well-being.

In conclusion, the youth eco warriors of Tierra Selva, under the leadership of Kevin Panduro, are an inspiring group of young individuals committed to creating awareness, building capacity, and engaging in activities that promote environmental preservation, animal and plant rescue, advocacy against deforestation, and human rights. Their dedication and passion for safeguarding our planet and empowering their generation serve as a beacon of hope for a sustainable and equitable future. Through their collective efforts, they inspire others to join the movement and become active participants in shaping a better world for all.

( 2021) Climate change has had a first-hand impact on the Huallaga River, breaching embankments and flooding prime agricultural land, infrastructure, and affecting over 3000 family homes along its path. Flooding has become a growing concern as floodwaters in March 2021 rose up to 2.2 m (7.2 feet) in some areas. The Peruvian National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI) has been warning affected communities and regions along the Huallaga floodplain and beyond of impending floods during rainy seasons, as the seasons last longer than previously recorded. These extremes have been followed by harsh drought periods that have left this river almost dry.

Man made impacts surrounding the upper and lower Huallaga, such as deforestation, slash and burn practices for land clearance continue to play havoc on the carbon footprint, cumulatively impacting climate change. The most recent UN Climate Report released Monday August 9th 2021, highlights that these warning s should not be taken lightly and that there is no time to spare. Our planet is in deep trouble and we as guardians of our natural resources have been doing a terrible job managing these resources. No matter how many reports are written not only national governments need to take action but citizens on the ground.

Awareness raising on the life cycle related to natural resource, use, management and access is key to engaging communities in discussions and debates around the future. Local community members along the Huallaga most recently participated in climate change discussions, identifying that drastic occurrences have led to disruptions in production impacting local livelihoods, as seen with fluctuating prices on produce such as coffee, oranges, cacao, rice, and other products produced in San Martin. For some this has meant changing crops altogether or abandoning land. “Every year is worse” says Jesus, “as the rivers keep rising followed by drought and that means our crops are subject other diseases”.

2010 – June 9 to 14^th .  This year the annual Waterkeeper Alliance Conference was hosted by the Loreto Coastkeeper and held in beautiful La Paz, Baja California, Mexico.   The Central Huallaga Riverkeeper was in attendance for this annual conference event.  Some 300 other Waterkeeper Alliance members participated in a host of conference activities which included legal, scientific and environmental workshops and meetings as well as networking events.  To give back to the host community all Waterkeeper Conference attendees also participated in an organized restoration and clean-up project along the beautiful coastal beaches of La Paz.   A gala dinner was also held and Mexico’s ex-president Vicente Fox and his family were in attendance.   

Robert Kennedy Jr. as founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance was present for the Conference event discussing much of his recent visit and experience in the Gulf of Mexico after the BP Blue Horizon Disaster.  This was the key topic of discussion amongst conference attendees.  Consensus amongst attendees was that there needs to be a smarter call for action on the disaster.