Forest Conservation
REDD+ Brazil Nut Concessions
Madre de Dios is one of the richest areas on the planet in biodiversity. Its more than 85,000 km² constitute an essential part of the Amazon River basin, in southeastern Peru. This extraordinary region is recognized as one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet and is considered the Biodiversity Capital of Peru. In the last 15 years, Madre de Dios has lost almost 250,000 hectares of tropical forests, making it one of the Peruvian regions most affected by deforestation, degradation and habitat fragmentation (MINAM).
Since 2009, Bosques Amazónicos (BAM) has been developing REDD+ conservation projects in the Peruvian Amazon with the aim of fighting climate change, protecting ecosystems and their biodiversity, and promoting the sustainable development of local communities. The REDD+ Castañeros project: conserves and manages 600,000 ha together with more than 800 concessionaire partners grouped in the Federation of Castaña Producers of Madre de Dios FEPROCAMD.
As it is a grouped project, new concessionaires and areas are joining the project. Over the past few years, more than 300 new concessionaire families have joined REDD+ Castañeros, significantly expanding the area of protected forests in the region.
Efficiently managing a project of this magnitude requires guarantees for the reduction of emissions. To this end, BAM has a monitoring, control and surveillance system that uses real-time satellite information analysis and high-tech equipment. This is complemented by field trips (with partners and authorities) and permanent technical and legal assistance.
Equally important is the impact on the communities that make up the project's area of influence. Part of this effort is reflected in the more than 40 workshops held to strengthen the technical and productive capacities of the concessionaire families (45% of the participants were women). Among the most interesting aspects of the relationship with local partners is the development of new sustainable productive activities (reforestation with Brazil nut seedlings to enrich concessions, corn and fruit crops in agroforestry systems in cooperation with IIAP, among others).
The Castañeros Scholarships program, in partnership with the National Amazonian University of Madre de Dios (UNAMAD), has been a key achievement of the project. Through it, we cover the necessary expenses so that more young Castañeros growers can dedicate themselves fully to their studies.
A key step for the strengthening of our partners has been the creation and consolidation of the Association of Organic Castaña Collectors of Madre de Dios (ARCOMAD), a non-profit organization that aims to meet the requirements of good forest management to achieve the certification and commercialization of organic Brazil nuts. In 2023, ARCOMAD obtained the certification (IMO Cert) under the standards of the European Union, North America and Peru, closing a first commercial agreement for its certified product.
A vital part of REDD+ Castañeros is the Science Plan, aimed at periodically assessing ecological wealth (flora, fauna, water sources) and recording, understanding and protecting the value of biodiversity in our areas of influence. To this end, we have established cooperation agreements with prestigious organizations such as CORBIDI, the Museum of Natural History of the National University of San Marcos, the San Diego Zoo and the Herbarium of the National Agrarian University La Molina. In addition, we promote the participation of our members and their families in science activities.
REDD+ Castañeros delivers economic benefits directly to its partners as a result of conservation efforts and the sale of carbon credits. To date, more than US$10 million has been delivered to our project partner families.
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