Regenerate the Amazon!

Dear friends of Camino Verde, 

The year is off to a great start at Camino Verde! As the rains began in late December, our teams in Madre de Dios and Loreto have been busy with reforestation activities. In just 2 months of 2024 over 20,000 seedlings have been planted out in CV’s reforestation areas and those of our partner communities.

Currently, the Loreto team is in the field, overseeing the distribution of another 9,000 tree seedlings, representing more than 40 native species. These plants are destined for planting by the 30 new participating families – joining over 100 families already involved – in our Rosewood Farmer Livelihood Program in the Ampiyacu River basin. 

We're excited to share a few updates from the early weeks of the new year. 2024 holds exciting promise for new alliances and achievements for Camino Verde and our allies.

Additionally, for our “main course” we are featuring a special piece written by CV’s Visitor and Research Coordinator at our Baltimori Center, Mauricio Arhuire. “The Perfect Host” will transport you right into the jungle, and welcome you to the experience of Madre de Dios. 

With this, we invite you to read about what is in play for Camino Verde this 2024. We are excited for the upcoming months and look forward to sharing our accomplishments with you. 

Sincerely, 

Clemencia Pinasco

Camino Verde Communications Manager

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A Preview of Camino Verde in 2024:

Conservation International
At the end of last year, we were excited to announce our new alliance with Conservation International. Thanks to this partnership, we will be able to expand our rosewood program to reach an additional 30 families. But CI’s support will allow us to take important steps  toward creating a community-based tree nursery in one of our partner communities, offering paid opportunities for community members to receive training in nursery establishment and management. Furthermore, through this collaboration, we will facilitate more opportunities for farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange, strengthening communities and the Rosewood Farmer programs through these unique farmer field schools. Thanks to Conservation International for helping us grow our Loreto program!

Reparto y Siembra
Our team in Loreto has been busy since the end of 2023 prepping for their biggest operation of the year - the distribution and planting of over 11,000 seedlings to 8 communities in 2 river basins in the region. The reparto y siembra, or distribution and planting, is one of the key yearly accomplishments for our Loreto team!

The first distribution was a success. In late January, the team spent over 10 days in the field alongside 11 families participating in a pilot of the rosewood program in a new region of Loreto - the buffer zone of the Maijuna-Kichwa Regional Conservation Area. Reaching 3 communities in the area, we are excitedto work alongside the new participants in our program. (Special thanks to ally NGO One Planet for helping us reach these new communities and for years of friendship between our orgs.) 

And now, the team in Loreto is finishing the second plant distribution, reaching 30 new participating families and over 100 established participants in 5 communities with over 6,000 plants on their way to be planted in their permanent locations. 

In an unprecedented occasion, we are getting to enjoy the participation of some of our key allies in this expedition: the Federation of Native Communities of Ampiyacu, Conservation International, The Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, long time partners Amazon Ecology, and students from the regional university and local vocational school. We are extremely grateful for the support gathered to accomplish this incredible feat. 

Rosewood, 3… 2… 1… Action!
Working towards one of our important objectives, we're excited to announce that we've started filming the first part of an educational series on productive agroforestry systems using native species and the reforestation of rosewood in Loreto. This first stage involves creating an introductory video to our work, which is just the beginning of a larger practical educational series. The aim is to share the best practices of agroforestry, focusing on producing non-timber forest products like rosewood. Just this last week, the team in Loreto and longtime friend of CV, Dylan Francis, have been filming like crazy.

Rosewood in vitro propagation and research
As you may remember, last year our partners in the CITE Productivo lab made significant advances in the research and development of in vitro propagation of rosewood - an alternative form of propagation to surpass the difficulty of obtaining seeds from the highly endangered species. 

Thanks to our collaboration with CITE, and a newly formed alliance with the UNAMAD (Madre de Dios National University), we are excited to share that 2 thesis candidates will be working on research projects supporting our work with in vitro propagation of rosewood. Their research will provide invaluable outcomes to overcome the current challenges related to seed sourcing and future expansion of our program. 

Habitat regeneration in action
As you read this, our teams in CV Baltimori, La Joya, and Loreto are making the most of the rain. In just two months, we've planted over 20,000 plants, of more than 50 native species. Over the next few weeks, our team and participating families in our agroforestry programs will be planting approximately 8,000 additional plants, thanks to your support!

This is just a small sneak peak of what 2024 has in store for Camino Verde, we cannot wait to continue sharing our progress and accomplishments with you this year. Please consider donating to Camino Verde today, and help our programs grow. We are honored to have your support!

And now, we have an invitation to Tambopata - from the perfect host. 

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The Perfect Host

by Mauricio Arhuire 

It was not the first time I was invited. What was different each visit were the labels I was given, such as: student, visitor, volunteer, intern, researcher. And now most recently, no less than coordinator of visits, volunteering, internships and research at Camino Verde.

The invitation this time was in a southern region. I had been there before and without a doubt I had been amazed the first time. My memories were of an orchestra that never stopped playing day and night, a world of flavors, an unusual play of lights. Plus a luxurious decoration, even rumors that there were golden things scattered around, which people collected with an inordinate eagerness – and yes, all those things happen in Madre de Dios. 

At first glance, the host had not changed in essence, yet each time is somehow different.

Preparations

For anyone attending an event of this nature, I recommend being punctual if you don't want to miss any details, knowing that some guests are already causing quite a racket. 

The dress code should be: very comfortable, subdued colors. The other guests will have beautifully patterned furs and colorful plumage, so rest assured you won't surprise anyone. Me, I didn't know what to wear - but one thing is for sure: clothing that covers arms and ankles is good for the occasion.

The footwear, something that allows easy movement, since there is a constant dance on mud paths that can trap feet up to the ankles. There are hidden roots and dangerous holes to trip on. By the way, the shoes should be waterproof – the event is always outdoors, since nothing interesting happens inside.

The Reception

Upon arrival, a steamy embrace, about 30° C, lets you know right away that it will be hot here, that the humidity will not let anything dry. The heat may dehydrate you, after so many dances up and down slopes and some obstacles, so drink plenty of water. 

The first to welcome you is Puerto Maldonado. It is quite young, you can see it in its features compared to its northern brothers, although it is growing fast. Puerto welcomes, but the journey continues. As we leave town we see some of the ravages of past guests - they have wiped out everything, and in their wake have left little or nothing. But we have to keep going, the good stuff is up ahead, the driver tells me, and it's true; soon a green blanket begins to cover our heads. It seems that the host does not want us to suffocate before we arrive. 

The next to present itself is the Tambopata River, a pleasant and spectacular watercourse. But don't trust it; it has a very variable temperament, so much so that it can grow and drag anyone who gets in its way. This time I found him in a good mood, I hope you will too; with me he even gave me a ride. Majestic trees greet us from the banks, and following the path, some other guests from the area began to appear, who were in a hurry. Some cute ones watched us from the trees and others quite boisterous warned of our arrival, among them some scarlet macaws. The show was starting and we had to be very attentive to both banks of the Tambopata, as some others prefer to go unnoticed. 

I had to get to Camino Verde because there was the feast, so I had to say goodbye to Tambopata for a while. They tell me he was going on his way to meet an Amazon, but of course he would always be there when I needed another ride. As I descended to the ground I was embraced in a mud that almost didn't let me out and the dance of the riverbank began. From here it was uphill.

The Event

The host has spared no expense. An orchestra of insects accompanies from beginning to end with infinite melodies. You have to be patient because suddenly it can be exchanged for a symphony of drops that hits everything with such force, adding thunder that bursts in the middle of the chord, a spectacle that leaves regulars and strangers alike astonished. After this, the singing becomes even more complete, new members arrive such as toads, frogs and birds with their dramatic tunes. 

The decoration is composed of precious metals scattered on beaches that some other guests try to accumulate with great eagerness. Designs on the barks of trees hold the firmament, and patterns in skins, feathers and breastplates rise up to an infinite number of flowers delicately held in the canopies. With the help of the wind, they at some point fall to form carpets, announcing good times.

The lighting is something very special. By day you have a deep blue overhead most of the time and sometimes a canopy of white or black clouds like piano keys. Although it can get very dark at night, a sky of endless stars are the road signs, and more than one shooting star appears in a play of light. Some give the impression that they fell into the forest, but they are fireflies that will accompany your night walk so you won't feel alone. The path will be indicated by bioluminescent mushrooms, so do not lose sight of the canopy of stars or the fine carpet of mycelia. At this point your eyes become more keen with the passage of time to the flashes and the different shades of green.

The food is a feast; it comes in a thousand colors and flavors. Many fruits with new and childhood aromas, purple or yellow roots hidden like a treasure under the earth, and even hearts of palm trees... And here, in an event like this, no one can go hungry, not with so much abundance, that abundance that intoxicates with surrender and rapture.

As in all important events, every step you take something new happens. Exquisite perfumes appear and evoke memories, some strong for my taste and others quite pleasant, even some fleeting ones that can only be perceived once, like sangapilla. I have it on good authority that the host, Camino Verde, is trying to capture these aromas in oils and resins, borrowing from some of the inhabitants some of their best fragrances jealously guarded in branches and leaves.

We are lacking senses to perceive this event in its full magnitude, and few places agitate so many perceptions at the same time in a thousand different ways. 

As you walk around, you come across many attendants, hundreds of queens in their castles full of guards, and other legendary kingdoms will make their strength known in an endless tide of soldiers with strong jaws, so I suggest you don't bother them if you don't want trouble. These are the Melipona bees. Another group of assistants are the various doctors, such as Dr. Ojé, Dr. Matico, Dr. Sangre de Grado, Dr. Copaiba, and many others, who will be able to relieve your pain and even close wounds in the blink of an eye without a needle or thread. So, rest assured, they will treat your ailments. Also in attendance are many wise teachers with hundreds of years of life, among the most famous are Ayahuasca, Catahua, Ajosacha and Bobinsana. Each one has different ways of teaching, but learning takes time, openness and good intentions in the heart.

If the heat and the amount of information you receive starts to make you dizzy, the Tambopata can refresh you. Rumor has it that whosoever by chance or on purpose tastes its water unleashes an enchantment that will make you not want to leave or always want to return. Just beware of the electric eels that are part of the river current; always remember to warn them off by splashing before you dive.

The Farewell

When you leave here you will walk with your body tucked up, and with your eyes on the floor to avoid obstacles, as a sign of respect for the host, his greatness and his undisputed might, which will make you understand how small we are. And even though at some point this place may feel like home, remember that we will always be guests.

I will be here for a while, watching over the host's welfare, so that there will be no more havoc, at least not here, not in Camino Verde, where you’ll be received.

The Amazon as the main host has unveiled some intimate secrets to make us fall in love, because the explanation for doing what we do is love and gratitude for a place that welcomes and dazzles.

My reason for being at Camino Verde is to be here when you come, to introduce you to the masters, doctors, nobles, sages - and to enjoy the lighting, the orchestra and the food, in a dance of endless ups and downs....