Forest Conservation through Nature-Based Livelihoods

Sixto Cruz from the meliponary Widi Da, one of the winning projects of the Amazonía 5.0 Award.
Sixto Cruz from the meliponary Widi Da, one of the winning projects of the Amazonía 5.0 Award. / Photo: Sofia Bedoya

Forest Conservation through Nature-Based Livelihoods

  • Our Objective

    Supporting livelihoods that depend on keeping forests standing rather than clearing them. The project pilots approaches in Amazon nut production, non-timber forest products, agroforestry, and nature-based tourism with local and Indigenous partners, building evidence that families can improve their income while forests remain intact.

  • Figures

    The project was launched on January 1, 2026 and is currently in the starting phase.

Summary

Tambopata's tropical forests are home to remarkable wildlife and support the well-being of the people who live there. Yet communities often face pressure to clear land or turn to extractive activities to earn a living. This project shows that another path is possible. Working with local and Indigenous partners, we support ways of earning income that keep the forest standing. These include the sustainable use of Amazon nuts and other forest products, agroforestry, and responsible tourism that values nature and local culture. By testing these approaches in real places, we help families strengthen their livelihoods while protecting biodiversity and vital ecosystem services. The lessons from these pilots will guide larger-scale efforts in the region, proving that healthy forests and strong communities can go hand in hand.

Partners: Swisscontact, Amazonia Impact Ventures, Asociación de Recolectores Orgánicos de la Nuez Amazónica del Perú (RONAP), Asociación Forestal Indígena de Madre de Dios (AFIMAD), Asociación de Castañeros de la Reserva Nacional Tambopata  (ASCART), Asociación de Turismo del Bajo Madre de Dios, Rainforest Expeditions.

Project Connections

  • Part of the topic

    Human well-being that supports nature

    Human well-being that supports nature
  • Part of the solutionscape

    Maintaining multifunctional landscapes in a tropical forest frontier

Team