We are implementing sustainable projects at our center which is located in Oxapampa, Peru. It is surrounded by 12.5 ha of rain forest, two streams, riparian forest, a reforested area, and cultivation areas with local fruit crops and shaded coffee.

Our center is located in the buffer zone of the Yanachaga Chemillen National Park, which covers approximately 120.000 ha. Since 2010 the province of Oxapampa contains the Biosphere Reserve Oxapampa, Ashaninka, Yanesha.

In the center, we will provide training for local communities, students and interested people and demostrate various sustainable activities that can be easily replicated.

For the past 50 years, lumber production, in response to expanding national demand, has been centered in Oxapampa and its eight districts. This has provoked massive deforestation, as well as put pressure on the remaining forests, especially in areas with water basins. A large part of the buffer zone is used for granadilla (local variation of passion fruit) and rocoto (hot pepper used in many Peruvian dishes) cultivation, where agrochemicals and pesticides are applied without regulation.

Fire is used to reduce manual labor, burning parts of the forest to advance the agricultural border. As a result, forest fires are very common in the buffer zone and this endangers the protected areas of the forest (more than 300 ha were burned in 2010 alone).

The reduction of forest biomass is greatly diminishing the populations of native fauna, like the oso de anteojos (Spectacled Bear -Tremarctos ornatus) and the venado colorado (Red Brocket deer - Mazama americana). Losses of forest biomass, and the resulting species and ecological interactions, poses serious threats to the biodiversity and water resources in the area.

Our center intends to confront these threats, generating processes of sustainable resource management to ensure the conservation of the cloud forest, and the environmental services and biodiversity it harbors. By living and producing food sustainably at our center, as well as spreading the word through demonstrations and workshops, we hope to serve as a model to show that things can be done in a better way.

Our goals

- Reduce forest fires in the area by spreading awareness of alternative agricultural practices

- Promote sustainable living and thinking by providing a model which others can replicate

- Establish a baseline to evaluate forest and water quality and continue to monitor changing conditions through data collected by volunteers

- Produce organic, native crops to create a market for these products and encourage local farmers to do the same

- Link the gap between economically viable and environmentally conscious practices through example

- Join forces with the next generation of global leaders in the field of ecologically sustainable human progress.

Our pilot Projects

Organic Garden

Greenhouse and plants for the crops and the reforestation projects

Shade Coffee plantation

Native fruits

The pilot projects organized in the center will serve as examples for the local community and the center will provide assistance to spread these practices.

Projects for students/volunteers

Project 1. The Chacra and compost area:

Work with shade-grown coffee and native fruits in our organic chacra. Learn how to produce compost and apply organic fertilizer and maintain the crops to ensure a successful harvest.

Project 2. The Huerta, Compost tea, Greenhouse:

Work in our organic garden, maintaining the vegetables and herbs. Learn how to produce and maintain a compost tea system that can sustain the land's fertilization needs as well as minimize trash generation. Work in the greenhouse, preparing the seeds for transplantation in the garden, as well as selecting new seeds for cultivation.

Project 3. Water Collection and treatment and Irrigation Design:

Work on the designing of a collecting rainwater system and om the designing and construction of a waste water system for the showers by creating an artificial wetland on the property. Work on improving the irrigation of the garden and on the creation of systems to maximize efficient water use.

Work on maintaining the trails on the property, planning and constructing new ones. Design signs and label important flora and fauna that can be seen from the trail.

Project 5. Monitoring using various bio-indicators:

Learn from the experts how to collect data and monitor water quality and forest quality using bio-indicators like macroinvertebrates, insects, lichens, plants and others.

Project 6. Exotic and invasive species management:

Control and eradication of invasive plant species in the rainforest, such as invasive bamboo. Learn different techniques to control and manage invasive species.

Project 7. In vitro native plant culture:

We are implementing an in vitro laboratory for native trees, orchids and other species of interest. You can learn how to propagate plants in vitro conditions.

Project 8. Reforestation project:

Assist in the preparation of tree seedlings for reforestation of riparian areas. Participate in reforestation of native trees on the property, such as the ulcumano - Podocarpus spp. This can include working on orchid and other epiphytes' rescue.

Project 9. Sustainable energy sources:

Design and/or construct sustainable energy systems including biogas, a composting hot shower, small scale hydroelectric and solar panels in the future.

Research projects

-Monitoring of stream water quality using macroinvertebrates

-Inventory of plants (ferns, palms, orchids, and other groups)

-Inventory of insects (moths, buterflies, ants, and others)

Current Facilities at the Center

Currently we can offer an elevated tent platform

We have implemented dry toilets for the visitors and hot showers.

We have a generator for electricity from 6 to 10 PM.

We have potable water for drinking and water 24 hs a day.

We have a place for presentacions and talks with/without a slideshow.

We offer the food service with 3 meals per day. All food is local and free of pesticides. Specific requirements are possible to offer too.

For questions or reservations you can contact us:

M.Sc. Florencia Trama. Program Director

ftrama@centroneotropical.org, cecacds@gmail.com or by phone at +51-98986-2698

We are accepting donations.

Even any small amount will help us to improve our training center

View of Oxapampa from the property

Several views of the property

Ecosystems and environments you will see on your way to Oxapampa

Coastal Desert

Mountain range and high Lands

Highland at the Amazon Basin

Getting closer to the rainforest

Waterfall and Rainforest at Oxapampa