Places We Protect in Peru

No doubt the Incas outdid themselves centuries ago by creating the famed architectural wonder of Machu Picchu high in the Peruvian Andes. But Mother Nature’s earlier handiwork— from the desert lining the Pacific coast to the rain forest of the Amazon Basin—is equally stellar and impressive.

Peru, which would comfortably fit inside Alaska, is a nation of biological riches. With close to 1,700 bird species, it ranks second behind only Colombia. That’s more birds species than are found in all of North America.

Almost two-thirds of Peru is forested. Remarkably, almost 90 percent of the original forest remains. Despite that, all is not pristine. Slash and burn agriculture, oil and gas extraction and transport, uncontrolled hunting, cattle ranching, industrial pollution and overfishing of ocean and freshwater species are some of the other major threats.

The Nature Conservancy has been working in Peru since 1983 with both private and public partners. As nearly 90 percent of the nation is publicly owned, one of the Conservancy’s key partners is the Peruvian government. Ten national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and other protected areas make up almost 13 percent of the country.

Current project sites include the Central Selva Protection Area, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and the Sierra del Divisor Protection Area. By working on jointly agreed-upon conservation goals in tandem with partners, the Conservancy can have a long-lasting and far-reaching impact across Peru.