How it works
The project began in 2002 and is a collaboration between the Field Museum of Chicago and local communities adjacent to the park. The goal is to defeat deforestation by strengthening security through the involvement of local communities. The Cordillera Azul area touches more than 200 communities reaching about 180,000 people. The health of the forest reflects the well-being of the communities as it is the sole source of income for most people.
Where does it develop?
Cordillera Azul is located in four areas of central Peru: San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco, and Loreto. The extent of forest protected by the project is 1,351,964 hectares and allows the capture of 1.58 million tons of CO₂ annually.
Certifications
The benefits also touch biodiversity; thanks to this project, 35 new animal species have been discovered and their natural habitats protected. Safeguarding over 3,500 species, including Andean bears and Harpy eagles (both endangered), has enabled Cordillera Azul to receive Verra CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity) certification.
Benefits
The project has generated countless co-benefits such as access to education, the construction of new infrastructure, the distribution of potable water between villages, and the generation of a secure source of income for members of adjacent communities.
The project in brief
- Preservation of biodiversity
- Economic and social development
- Improvement of air and soil conditions