Securing a Critical Wildlife Corridor in the Cordillera Escalera, Peruvian Amazon

In the San Martín region of the Peruvian Amazon, a critical conservation gap threatens the survival of endangered wildlife. The valley connecting the two mountain ranges of the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area (ACR-CE) was excluded from official protection in 2005 due to the presence of approximately 170 ranching families. This unprotected stretch fragments habitat and exposes species such as jaguars, Andean bears, lowland tapirs, pumas, and countless other rainforest animals to poaching, habitat loss, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

To address this challenge, Amazon Rainforest Conservancy Northern Peru (ARCNP) and Amazon Rainforest Conservancy (ARC) launched a wildlife corridor project in 2022 to acquire, protect, and restore land within the valley. Camera trap data confirms the area's importance for wildlife movement, but risks remain high without formal protection. Since the project began, ARCNP has acquired 14 land parcels totaling 235 hectares and propagated and planted 4,022 native trees representing 35 species.

Our long-term vision is to connect both mountain ridges of the Cordillera Escalera through a protected, contiguous wildlife corridor and protect it for generations to come. This vision includes strong community involvement by creating sustainable income opportunities for the current generation of local landowners while providing conservation-based opportunities for future generations. For key species such as the jaguar, Andean bear, and lowland tapir, this corridor will help secure safe passage between larger protected areas, reducing human-wildlife conflict and strengthening the long-term genetic viability of their populations.

Protecting Critical Habitat

We strategically acquire high-priority properties that connect existing protected forests, reduce habitat fragmentation, and safeguard wildlife movement routes.

Restoring Degraded Lands

Former cattle pastures are being transformed back into thriving rainforest through native tree planting, habitat restoration, and long-term stewardship. By restoring these lands, we are helping rebuild biodiversity, improve watershed health, and strengthen climate resilience.

Partnering with Local Communities

Community engagement is central to our approach. Since 2022, ARCNP has built strong local support through ongoing collaboration in forest monitoring, wildfire response, trail maintenance, and conservation activities. Three of our five Forest Guardians are members of the local community, and we regularly hire local residents to assist with transportation, construction projects, and reforestation efforts.

We are also committed to ensuring women have a meaningful voice in conservation decisions. When purchasing land, we require that both partners in a household participate in negotiations and formally approve transactions. Payments are issued jointly, helping ensure women are recognized as equal decision-makers and beneficiaries.

By protecting and restoring this critical wildlife corridor, we are helping secure a future for endangered species while supporting local communities that depend on a healthy forest ecosystem. Together, we can reconnect fragmented habitats, restore degraded lands, and ensure this extraordinary landscape remains protected for generations to come.

Every hectare protected brings us one step closer to creating a permanent wildlife corridor where wildlife can move freely between the two mountain ranges of the Cordillera Escalera.