Protecting our Fragile Mountain Ecosystems

Our Education for Conservation Program focuses on encouraging the love for our mountains and strengthening conservation skills which allow children and community members in general to responsibly manage their natural resources and advocate for the conservation of our fragile mountain ecosystems among their community and travelers from around the world. These past two years we have been able to share several activities with community schools and members of the Guild of Llama Breeders who look forward to these fun and refreshing activities.

Native Tree Nurseries:

The implementation and restoration of our community native tree nurseries have been possible thanks to our partners from Pacific Discovery who participate on hands-on activities with members of the Guild of Llama Breeders and community schools. 450 native tree buds were successfully planted on one of the nurseries and after having rooted, were transplanted to reforest the Andean slopes.

5-Day Environmental Awareness Llama Trek:

A 5-day llama trek was carried out through 5 different high-Andean communities to reinforce the importance of llamas to reduce the impact generated by pack animals in the tourism industry. By direct action and demonstration, llama farmers get to showcase their work with llamas through the communities proving that it is possible to adapt this ancestral tradition, almost lost to modern times, to a practical modern use for the tourism industry, generating environmental awareness on the role of llamas to provide an environmentally sustainable service that benefits the community.

School Greenhouse Improvement:

Our Education for Conservation program is developed in partnership with several community schools who will make specific requests depending on its needs. Last year their priority was to fix their greenhouse to provide balanced meals for their students. With the collaboration of our partners fro Students Shoulder to Shoulder the project was successful in its mission to fix the greenhouse and motivate love for mountains among students and teachers through fun environmental games and an outdoor excursion to the lake.