Reforestation of the Andes with Accion Andina

Deforestation in the Andes and the Amazon is a huge issue.

Andean Trails is helping to tackle the problem head on.

We’ve paid for the provision of  3,500 native polylepis trees to replant in the high Valleys of the Peruvian Andes. Local organisers and volunteers head, each year, to the local mountain range to plant locally grown polylepis saplings.

This brings great benefits to the community. The project is run locally by ECOAN (Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos),  all money stays in the local economy and valleys are reforested.

There are 19 species of Polylepis native to the Peruvian Andes. They are found at altitude between 1800 and 5100 m. The mountains have suffered deforestation for firewood and industry, leaving seriously depleted ecosystems. This woodland is vital for biodiversity, carbon sink and  to highland ecosystems for water regulation and soil conservation.

History of ECOAN and Accion Andina

In 2018, ECOAN (Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos) and  GFC (Global Forest Generation) came together to found Acción Andina.   Together they have facilitated over 20 separate projects in the high Andes. This has involved over 25,000 local people in reforesting over 5,000 hectares with Andean woodlands and protecting over 11,250 hectares of existing forest.

Over 200 local communities in the high Andes of the Cusco area have benefited. Economic prospects have improved as a result of  activities such as: reforestation, forest preservation, establishment of micro-businesses, access to healthcare, installation of water collection systems, adoption of clean-burning clay stoves, use of solar panels, and formalisation of land titles.

Earthshot Prize

In 2023, Acción Andina was awarded the prestigious Earthshot Prize. This award, initiated by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, recognises their efforts in addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

In Peru, deforestation of the Andes and the Amazon and the loss of most of the major glaciers pose a risk of a serious shortage of water.

By working to reforest areas, Andean Trails and ECOAN hope to be able to be part of a sustainable tourism movement.

Hopefully, this will show that tourism in Peru can be run in as sustainable a way possible to ensure the amazing places we travel through can be enjoyed for many generations to come.

As important is that the local communities genuinely get to benefit from our travelling through their backyards.

Please contact us if you would like more information about how to get involved.