By Diego Alemendrades | Director of Sustainable Development and Finance
Dear GlobalGiving Donors,
We’re delighted to share the latest news and progress from our conservation and ecotourism initiatives across Lobitos, Negritos, and Piedritas in the Piura province of northern Peru. Your continued support remains essential to our mission of protecting these unique and fragile ecosystems while sustaining the livelihoods of local communities.
Ecotourism trails and research on the dry forest
Our ecotourism trails are located in the dry forest and marine-coastal environment of northern Peru, where the Algorrobo (Neltuma pallida) tree is dominant in the ecosystem. This keystone species has a very long taproot that can reach deep underground water sources, even in the local hyper-arid climate, and through symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, improves the soil’s capacity to hold moisture, and is therefore instrumental in the survival of the ecosystem as a whole.
Recent volunteer interns on the Reforestation and Ecosystem Restoration programme at EcoSwell have been conducting research into the importance of conserving this tree, as well as the effectiveness of various forest monitoring methods more generally. In particular, volunteer interns conducted interviews with local community members in Piedritas to understand their lived experiences and their perception and acceptability of different forest monitoring methods, including drones, satellites, participatory monitoring, and surveys done by the interns themselves, who have been piloting their own methods.
We have learnt a plethora of information about the complex situation and multifaceted threats facing the algorrobo and the ecosystem as a whole, and will use this research to support our conservation efforts and safeguard the local endemic wildlife and broader ecosystem. As part of our ongoing commitment to provide a viable economic alternative to logging in the area, we have also conducted regular visits to our ecotourism trails over the past few months, to ensure everything is well-maintained.
Groundwater surveying
In September, we had the pleasure of hosting several students from the University of Edinburgh as part of a visit by the E4C or Engineering For Change program, who worked on our water and sanitation projects. Volunteer interns conducted VES (Vertical Electric Sounding) resistivity surveys for our Sichez groundwater project that aims to help the soil recover and fight deforestation through regenerative grazing. These subsurface resistivity surveys involve conducting electricity through equally spaced electrodes in the ground, then gradually increasing the spacing, the results of which can be used to understand the depth and salinity of the water table and plan the best locations for boreholes. In addition to this, we also held a workshop for community members in Sichez regarding the geophysical survey techniques.
Biodigester at the Fisherman’s Guild.
Also in September, E4C volunteer interns carried out a visit to the biodigester that EcoSwell installed at the local Fisherman’s Guild. This is a sealed tank containing bacteria that breaks down sewage into nutrient-rich fertilizer, with the aim of helping manage wastewater spills in our home town of Lobitos. Unfortunately, we found it hadn’t been maintained properly, so we created an informative poster for guild members that clarifies the necessary tasks and highlights their importance. We have also been carrying out surveys of other wastewater spill sites in Lobitos, with the aim of identifying the sources of these outflows, which will help us better plan future solutions.
Tree planting
Our long-running and successful tree planting programme has continued over these past few months, helped by a generous donation of 91 saplings from Piura’s Regional Agricultural Ministry. Local government officials and the mayor of Lobitos have also joined our volunteer interns in helping bring greenery and shade back to Lobitos, and fighting desertification along the way.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Your generosity continues to inspire and empower our efforts. With your support, we are promoting environmental stewardship, advancing clean water and sanitation initiatives, strengthening local livelihoods, and safeguarding the remarkable biodiversity of Northern Peru for future generations.
We are truly grateful for your ongoing dedication to our shared mission.
Warm regards,
Diego Almendrades
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