ABOUT US

The Civil Partnership Chontachaca Ecological Reserve (REC) is an association of environmental, ecological and non-profit groups. The association was created in Peru with the aim of working for the defense and conservation of the Amazonian forest and all the beings that inhabit it.

The REC is composed of professionals, employees, volunteers and nature lovers, all with experience in ecology, health and education. People, who for years and for different reasons have been involved in the wonderful world of the Amazon.
REC Association is registered in the Public Registry of Peru with registration number 2009-00021784 and has been focused on reforestation in Manu since 2006. We were legally established in the year 2009, with the determination to change, improve, contribute and take part in human behavior and its relationship with nature.
There is now an urgency to take on new sustainable approaches that have evolved from utopian solutions to real solutions while simultaneously continuing to review our methods.
For us it is important to maintain a constant search for new actions aimed at a lifestyle that connects us back to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth), to make us understand that there was never such a need to degrade, or over-exploit her.

We firmly believe that the connection with Mother Earth should be the aim of this new relationship between man and nature so that, for every tree we plant mother earth shall return to us the smile of a child as a clear signal of a life, dignified and just.

The REC has 200 hectares of forest on the campus of Palmaceda, Chontachaca (Qosñipata Valley, Manu Biosphere Reserve) which is currently being reforested and includes an animal rescue center located on our land. Since 2006 we have planted 3000 trees of native species and there are several communities and populations as well as individuals in the area that want to join our effort. To do our job we have the support of students in biology from the University San Antonio Abad of Cusco and volunteers who for short periods of time reside in Palmaceda. Students from the Pont de Suert Institute and the University of Girona also carry out environmental projects and environmental volunteering.

In the town of Salvation (1 hour from Chontachaca) we have a hostel under the name of "Chaskawasi" which fulfills a double mission:

1. The Student Residence and Safe House for children at risk are guaranteed protection and enforcement of rights for children and adolescents. At present children and adolescents from the native communities of Manu, whose access to education is hampered by the remoteness of their communities and the difficulty of transportation in the jungle, reside in our program at Chaskawasi. Next year we hope to expand the current number of seats.
2. Our Ecological Studies Center, conducts educational projects focusing on respect for nature and environmental sustainability. These projects are central to ensuring the economic development of the inhabitants of the area and the ecological balance and respect for Manu's biodiversity through sustainable agriculture. This center focuses on children's own communities and the general population of Chontachaca, Salvation, Pilcopata, Patria and Atalaya. Children attend training workshops on Conservation and Biodiversity while at the same time practicing what they have learnt from the agro forestry modules of Chontachaca and Chaskawasi.