Media contact:
Abby Metzger, abby@globalforestgen.org
web: globalforestgeneration.org
Media gallery of reforestation event
Direct link to press release
Aquia, Peru – December 10, 2024: Acción Andina, a multi-country restoration initiative in the Andes of South America, has planted more than 150,000 native trees in just one day, a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore high-Andean ecosystems. The reforestation initiative took place in the community of Aquia, a critical headwater region for Peru's Santa and Pativilca rivers, which are vital for biodiversity and water regulation. The event, held near Huascarán National Park, brought together local residents, Indigenous communities, regional authorities and representatives from the Peruvian government’s National Service of State-Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP). These stakeholders signed a cooperation agreement to ensure the sustainable management of resources in the area.
Jirka Rantin: Giving Back to the Earth
The reforestation event was part of the region’s annual Jirka Rantin, or "Retribution to the Earth," which unites hundreds of volunteers, community members and institutional partners to restore native forests. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has planted over 500,000 Polylepis trees—an essential high-altitude forest species—across key regions of the Andes.
Empowering Communities through Conservation
Acción Andina goes beyond planting trees. By conducting educational programs in schools and offering training on sustainable forest management, the organization strengthens local stewardship and ensures the long-term health of restored ecosystems. "Through reforestation and environmental education, we are securing a sustainable future for generations to come," said Constantino Aucca, Indigenous leader and president of Acción Andina.
The Role of High-Andean Forests
Polylepis forests play a critical role in maintaining water cycles, providing habitats for endangered species and preventing erosion in vulnerable mountainous regions. These native trees grow at altitudes of up to 4,500 meters, one of the highest tree lines in the world. They act as "water towers," capturing moisture from clouds and fog, and supplying freshwater to downstream ecosystems, including the Amazon.
With record droughts in South America that have led to wildfires, water rations and planned power outages, sustainable irrigation and reforestation are among the best responses, according to recent research from Stanford-based Natural Capital Project. Reforestation efforts such as the one in Aquia demonstrate how combining traditional practices, science and community action can create sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.
About Acción Andina and its Impact on Environmental Conservation
Co-founded by Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) in Peru and Global Forest Generation (GFG) in the United States, Acción Andina is the first multi-national initiative dedicated to restoring high-altitude Andean forests of South America. Recognized as a UN World Restoration Flagship and a 2023 Earthshot Prize winner, Acción Andina is a model for holistic nature restoration, working to protect biodiversity and ensure water and climate security for local communities across the Andes.
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Jirka Rantin: Giving Back to the Earth
The reforestation event was part of the region’s annual Jirka Rantin, or "Retribution to the Earth," which unites hundreds of volunteers, community members and institutional partners to restore native forests. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has planted over 500,000 Polylepis trees—an essential high-altitude forest species—across key regions of the Andes.
Empowering Communities through Conservation
Acción Andina goes beyond planting trees. By conducting educational programs in schools and offering training on sustainable forest management, the organization strengthens local stewardship and ensures the long-term health of restored ecosystems. "Through reforestation and environmental education, we are securing a sustainable future for generations to come," said Constantino Aucca, Indigenous leader and president of Acción Andina.
The Role of High-Andean Forests
Polylepis forests play a critical role in maintaining water cycles, providing habitats for endangered species and preventing erosion in vulnerable mountainous regions. These native trees grow at altitudes of up to 4,500 meters, one of the highest tree lines in the world. They act as "water towers," capturing moisture from clouds and fog, and supplying freshwater to downstream ecosystems, including the Amazon.
With record droughts in South America that have led to wildfires, water rations and planned power outages, sustainable irrigation and reforestation are among the best responses, according to recent research from Stanford-based Natural Capital Project. Reforestation efforts such as the one in Aquia demonstrate how combining traditional practices, science and community action can create sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.
About Acción Andina and its Impact on Environmental Conservation
Co-founded by Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) in Peru and Global Forest Generation (GFG) in the United States, Acción Andina is the first multi-national initiative dedicated to restoring high-altitude Andean forests of South America. Recognized as a UN World Restoration Flagship and a 2023 Earthshot Prize winner, Acción Andina is a model for holistic nature restoration, working to protect biodiversity and ensure water and climate security for local communities across the Andes.
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