ON AUGUST 31, 2024, A TERRIBLE FOREST FIRE AFFECTED MUCH OF OUR WORK. NOW WE NEED TO URGENTLY EXPAND OUR RESTORATION ACTIVITIES TO SAVE THE MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL HUMMINGBIRD. WE CONTINUE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THIS GREAT CHALLENGE.
ABOUT US
Based in the Alto Utcubamba (Amazonas), the organization Landes - Biodiversity and cultural landscape , created in 2021, develops educational, cultural and scientific activities on nature conservation, with an emphasis on local biodiversity.
Our flagship species is the Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird (Loddigesia mirabilis), endemic to Peru, which lives exclusively in the Alto Utcubamba valley, around Chachapoyas, at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,900 meters above sea level. Its known populations are dispersed and isolated throughout this area, so its conservation is a priority.
Our activities are aimed at the conservation and restoration of their habitat. We work to understand and propagate native plants, planting them in pilot plots throughout the valley, promoting their knowledge and involving the local population through education and awareness. These actions are part of our long-term project Saving the Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird .
GETTING TO KNOW THE MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL
The Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis ) is one of the 127 species of hummingbirds known in Peru, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful hummingbird in the world. The male is recognized by its spectacular tail, and is the only bird in the world whose tail only has 4 feathers. This tail is the key to the dance that males perform to attract females, mostly during the rainy season.
SAVING THE MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL
This project is an initiative of the Landes association with the support of Conservamos por Naturaleza/SPDA . Since 2021 we have been carrying out scientific research in the voluntary conservation area Bioreserva Amazilia, a protected area of more than 200 hectares, probably the largest area dedicated to the conservation of a large and stable population of the Marvelous Spatuletail. By studying its habitat, its behavior and the native plants that make up its diet, we have developed a strategy to preserve and restore degraded spaces in order to facilitate the survival of this threatened species.
We are forming a network of local allies that involves different strategic actors such as nurseries, schools, the university of Chachapoyas, voluntary conservation areas, companies and committed individuals, improving the information available on the situation of the Marvelous Spatuletail, while we continue to involve more people .
RESTORATION OF ECOSYSTEMS, A PRIORITY FOR THE UNITED NATIONS AND PERU HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.
WE HAVE PLANTED OVER 10000 NATIVE TREES ONLY IN 2022 AND 2023.
NATIVE PLANTS
The objective of ecological restoration is to recover ecosystems degraded by human activities such as mining, deforestation or fires. In Peru, the need to restore more than 3 million hectares has already been declared, and one of the best strategies to begin this process is to plant native species, that is, native to the place where it is going to be planted.
Trees such as eucalyptus (native to Australia) or pines (native to North America and Europe) have a very low value for Peruvian biodiversity and in many cases harm the growth of native species. Meanwhile, in the valley there is a great diversity of trees, shrubs and flowers, including species endemic to the region and others in danger of extinction. Many of these have little-known uses and are therefore not sufficiently valued, however there is enormous potential to promote their nutritional, medicinal, timber, ecological value, etc.
We have been working on the publication of a practical guide to useful plants from Alto Utcubamba to contribute to the dissemination of the botanical wealth of the area.
Taller en el nuevo local del vivero Afotur de Palmira (2024), local adquirido con la ayuda de Conservamos por Naturaleza.
En el vivero de Jose Cruz, en Cocachimba.
Copias del Manual de manejo de semillas (Kew), material utilizado en nuestros talleres.
Taller en el nuevo local del vivero Afotur de Palmira (2024), local adquirido con la ayuda de Conservamos por Naturaleza.
NURSERY NETWORK
One of our objectives is to form a network of local nurseries that produce mostly native species. Together with members of the nurseries we work on the correct identification of native species for their propagation. In addition, we develop capacity-building workshops with the support of professionals and teachers from UNTRM (Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza).
In addition to our first allies in the Palmira and Cocachimba nurseries, new ones such as those in La Coca and Cuispes are being added.
In 2022 and 2023 alone, we have produced more than 10 thousand native plants , and by generating income through the sale of plants, we contribute to promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities .
EDUCATION
Education is a very important component of our work, since our most important allies are future generations. We have been holding workshops with the primary schools of Nogalcucho and Cocachimba, spreading the word about the situation about the Marvelous Spatuletail and involving students in reflecting on the problem, in addition to making them protagonists in the planting of native plants.
In addition, one of our most important allies is the Aleph school in Lima, whose students visit us twice a year as part of their Profundiza in Biology program. Here, they have the possibility to apply the theory in the real world.
Taller con la escuela primaria de Nogalcucho.
Sembrando en la tierra de niños (TiNi) de Cocachimba.
Alumnos del Aleph en aprendizaje activo.
Taller con la escuela primaria de Nogalcucho.
Foto grupal con la escuela primaria de Nogalcucho, en el inicio del proyecto (Diciembre 2023).
Plaza de Nogalcucho antes del proyecto (Noviembre 2023).
Mural del Colibrí cola de espátula en el pueblo de Nogalcucho.
Foto grupal con la escuela primaria de Nogalcucho, en el inicio del proyecto (Diciembre 2023).
PLAZAS NATIVAS (NATIVE SQUARES)
The squares and public spaces represent the identity of each town, often highlighting its traditional architecture and proposing green areas with flowers and trees. They are meeting, exchange and learning points, ideal settings to promote education and culture.
However, almost systematically, one can realize that the plants present are not native species of Peru, but rather exotic species such as Mexican palm trees, Araucanian pines from Chile, geraniums from South Africa, roses from China, etc...
In this context, Plazas Nativas was born, with the first pilot in the community of Nogalcucho, a town whose name refers to the native walnut tree. This project seeks to plant native plants in the squares, promote information about the value of native plants and contribute to a better botanical culture.
EXPOSURE
Since July 27, 2024, the Maná Coffee and chocolate cafeteria, located in the center of the city of Chachapoyas, hosts our exhibition "The most beautiful hummingbird in the world is ours, let's take care of it" in which the Marvelous Spatuletail is the protagonist. With photographs and infographics, we try to disseminate important information about its main characteristics and the vulnerable situation in which it is found. This exhibition is the first to focus exclusively on the Marvelous Spatuletail, being an important tool to bring the local population closer to one of its most representative species in order to continue involving more actors in favor of its conservation.
Exposición fotográfica en Maná coffee & chocolate.
Exposición fotográfica en Maná coffee & chocolate.
Exposición fotográfica en Maná coffee & chocolate.
Exposición fotográfica en Maná coffee & chocolate.
OUR ALLIES
JOIN!
Get in touch so we can start working together.
Mail: andres@amaziliaperu.com, thibaud.aronson@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +51 987106757