Plant a Tree for Milagros The Andean Bear in Chaparrí, Lambayeque, Peru
$25.00
/ price per tree
Choose your amount: $1.00 or above, every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact and will add to our reforestation project. Contribute with any value that you feel comfortable with. Your certificate will show your detailed contribution.
Milagros,
An Extraordinary Bear
The First Climate Positive Animated-Film in the World supporting Reforestation and Ecosystem Restoration.
The Goal
Science-Based Ecosystem Restoration by planting 100,000 trees using a wide diversity of plants to safeguard the habitats of endangered wildlife species listed in the IUCN Red List by 2030.
MILAGROS: FOREST FRIENDS ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION CERTIFIED PROJECT
DISCOVER THE Best FOREST FRIENDS CERTIFIED PARTNERSHIP SEAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Partner
Organizations deeply committed to long-term ecosystem and wildlife restoration that are actively engaged in nature-positive impact projects.
Accelerator
Organizations dedicated to accelerating ecosystem and wildlife restoration for nature positive impact projects promoting and supporting the involvement of more organizations, fostering a collective effort.
Participant
Individuals or organizations dedicated to contributing to ecosystem and wildlife restoration for nature’s positive impact through tree planting initiatives.
You can support this initiative!
Your Climate contribution
Your climate contribution is issued in the form of a Certificate. It includes special access to the project report page, developed to connect you to the Green Initiatives you support, in a transparent way.
Our objective in the region aims to reforest by planting 100,000 trees until 2030. We are using a wide diversity of plants to safeguard the habitats of endangered wildlife species listed in the IUCN Red List, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, including the Andean Bear – Tremarctos ornatus. The reforested areas are a key biodiversity hotspot and serve as vital fauna corridors, facilitating the recovery of fragmented habitats and enabling healthy genetic exchange among wild species.
Geographic range
The Andean Bear is the only bear species found in South America and is endemic to the Tropical Andes. Its distribution spans approximately 4,600 km from Venezuela to Bolivia, with a narrow range of 200-650 km in the mountains. The bear is present in various regions, including Sierra de Perijá and Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuela, the Andean mountain ranges in Colombia, the Ecuadorian Andes, the Peruvian Andes, and the Eastern slope of the Tropical Andes in Bolivia.
Population
Various methods including genetic analysis, mark-recapture, radio tracking, sign surveys, and ecological modeling, have been employed to estimate the population sizes and densities of Andean Bears. These wild populations are believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal killing. National assessment estimates, although crude, yield a range-wide estimate of 13,000-18,000 bears, with densities ranging from 5 to 7 bears per 100 square kilometers.
Habitat and ecology
The Andean Bear has an altitudinal range of 200 to 4,750 meters above sea level, covering approximately 260,000 square kilometers along the Tropical Andes. Its habitat includes various ecosystems such as tropical dry forests, lowland and montane forests, shrublands, and high-altitude grasslands; although the bear exhibits seasonal shifts in habitat use due to changes in food availability. More importantly, field observations in Bolivia have suggested the timing of births may be related to female weight and food abundance, with births occurring before the peak of the fruit season to ensure ample food availability for the mother and cubs.
The Andean Bear is omnivorous with a diet mainly based on bromeliads, palm trees and other fruits, depending on seasonal availability. On the other hand, the Andean Bear’s meat-based diet includes mammals such as rabbits, mountain tapirs and in some cases domestic cattle but this component of their diet is rather opportunistic. More interestingly, since food is available year-round in most parts of their geographic range, they do not hibernate.
Threats
Habitat loss is the most significant threat to Andean Bears. Approximately 90% of Andean ecosystems have been transformed due to human activities such as agriculture, mining, oil exploitation, and coca cultivation. These activities have resulted in the loss of natural habitats, fragmentation, and contamination of land and water.
Additionally, the presence of guerrilla groups and drug trade further exacerbate the situation. Illegal killing is another major threat, with an average of about 180 bears killed annually. Bears are killed for various reasons, including retaliation for crop or livestock damage, cultural beliefs, and local commercial trade. Furthermore, the regions most important for Andean bears are also among those most vulnerable to climate change.
Conservation actions
The Andean Bear has been classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN since 1982. Despite the establishment of 58 protected areas across their distribution, these areas often lack sufficient connectivity, resources, and staff, making them ineffective in addressing threats. Efforts have been made to establish and connect protected areas, but a significant portion of the bear’s habitat remains unprotected, and poaching continues to be a problem. Recent conservation initiatives have involved education programs, research projects, and the development of national action plans in countries like Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. However, many priority actions outlined in these plans have not been implemented.
Green Initiative, employs a holistic and collaborative approach to forest restoration, taking into account the needs of the Andean Bear and the local communities in the region. By effectively restoring previously fragmented areas with diverse plant species, we can sustain the repertoire of available food resources and nature corridors, which can serve to support the Andean Bears during breeding season, and begin to reestablish the natural genetic exchange patterns, promoting genetic diversity and health in the population. Furthermore, we complement our practical forestry restoration work by engaging local communities through education programs.
What´s included?
Reporting and Transparency
We take great care to ensure the success of our land plots. From the moment they’re planted, each plot is photographed and geolocated, and every plant is closely monitored to ensure optimal growth. Once a year, we provide a report on the planted areas, allowing you to track the project’s progress and its impact on the region.
Local education and development
Besides restoring the environment, the project benefits the local economy through seasonal employment. Trees are planted by landowners and residents, while local assistants maintain the nursery and monitor the trees. In addition, environmental education events are executed in schools to improve environmental awareness.
Ecological infrastructure
We allocate a portion of our funds towards enhancing the ecological infrastructure and data collection of the region. This includes constructing bridges to facilitate safe dispersion of fauna, improving the project’s nursery and equipment, collecting important data on the animals and expanding our reach to new areas. By ensuring the safety of endemic animal species, we can greatly improve the overall health and resilience of the ecosystem.
More information about the project
Why Chaparrí Biodiversity Hotspot?
The Lambayeque region is formed by tropical and subtropical desert formations, scrublands, forests and paramos.
Its physiographic complexity positively influences floristic diversity. Chaparri is the most diverse and accessible dry forest on the north coast of Peru. Every day it receives visitors from schools, universities, institutes, and tourists from very distant places on the planet.
Although the flora and fauna inventories in Lambayeque require further research, Chaparri’s dry and carob forest and natural wealth is represented by:
How do we select our trees?
Our tree planting service prioritizes the environment by selecting the right trees for you. We choose from a range of options, including fruit trees, red-listed trees, fast-growing trees for shade, and palm trees. Our expert team considers biodiversity recovery and sustainable planting practices in our tree selection and planting. With us, you can make a positive impact on the environment without having to choose the trees yourself.
The selection of native species to be restored is based on two criteria:
Their value to the fauna
The threat category of the tree species themselves
Our partners
Green Initiative’s partnership with Chaska Entertainment revolutionizes the production and distribution of the animated film “Milagros, una osa extraordinária” by Restoring Ecosystems, setting new climate standards in the industry.
Our collaboration with Chaska Entertainment ensures that every aspect of the film’s creation follows sustainable practices and eco-friendly principles. From pre-production to post-production, we prioritize reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and conserving resources.
A non-profit organization committed to scientific research as a basis for the conservation of biodiversity, education, and the well-being of local communities.
The ACP Chaparri has become one of the main tourist attractions on the northern coast of Peru. That is why Chaparrí won the national Rural Community Tourism contest and was also the main host at the 2011 Nature and Bird Tourism event.
Acción Andina maintains healthy Andean ecosystems and will help to perpetuate the ecosystem services of one million hectares of Polylepis forests and high Andean wetlands.
With large-scale restoration and conservation actions provide both economic and conservation benefits to communities.
Their model and its results will be replicated in other biospheres on the planet.
GFG and ECOAN lead Acción Andina together as the managing partners.
Forest Friends™ is a pioneering certification developed by Green Initiative, designed to actively support reforestation efforts that contribute to Science-Based Ecosystem and Wildlife Restoration, ultimately transforming lives through the creation of biodiverse forests.
Since 2015, Green Initiative’s certifications have empowered both public and private organizations to establish science-based emissions reductions targets, while also guiding them towards verified carbon offset solutions.
Our primary focus is to encourage and prioritize biodiversity, which has been the driving force behind our original inspiration and remains our unwavering aspiration.
Our local partners
Where is the Planting Site located?
Our Chaparrí planting sites are located in the province Lambayeque. Access to the ACP Chaparrí is from the city of Chiclayo via the paved road Chiclayo – Chongoyape, then passing through the towns of Pomalca, Tumán, Pátapo and Cuculí, and one kilometer before reaching the city of Chongoyape is the intersection for Tierras Blancas. In Tierras Blancas there is the administrative office of the ACP Chaparrí and for the Association for Conservation and Sustainable Tourism of Chaparrí.
Organize your visit
Engage in voluntary tree planting. Contact us today!
Our impact in the region
We aim to plant 100,000 units of various species, including timber, fruit, and palm trees. Our goal is to foster sustainable economic activities, restore biodiversity, and combat deforestation, while also promoting carbon capture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing soil erosion.
We work directly with local inhabitants to raise awareness of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This includes the installation of communal nurseries, the preparation of planting at the beginning of the rainy season and the increase of planted areas.
Each tree will be planted either by the owner of the land to be reclaimed or by a local inhabitant of the community. Giving them incentives and training and making them feel part of the solution will ensure that they protect trees in the future for the good of the planet and their own livelihoods.
