ACA Programs

Map of ACA Work
Map: World Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images

ACA focuses on scientific research, the direct protection of critical habitats, the sustainable use of natural resources, and education. Our programs include:

Los Amigos Conservation Concession and Los Amigos Biological Station
Our 360,000-acre Conservation Concession protects the watershed of the Los Amigos River, a headwaters tributary of the Amazon. This megadiverse wilderness protects the eastern access of Manu National Park and connects it to the Tambopata protected region. Our research station at Los Amigos provides a base camp for scientists and students exploring the watershed. More »

Brazil Nut Program
Brazil nuts are the most profitable non-timber forest product in the southwestern Amazon, providing income for local people and incentives for forest conservation. Brazil nut stands cover more than 10 million acres of Amazonian Peru and even larger areas in Bolivia and Brazil. Conserving this forest through Brazil nut concessions is a key element in maintaining the biological connections among protected areas. ACA has been studying Brazil Nuts since 1997 and has been helping Brazil nut harvesters obtain international “green” certification from the Forest Stewardship Council for their product. More »

Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Center
The Wayqecha cloud forest site runs from above the Andean tree line down through cloud forest to montane rainforest, and acts as part of the buffer zone along Manu’s southern edge. As Peru’s only permanent research center focused on cloud forest ecology and management, we study conservation challenges and solutions in the megadiverse watershed bordering Manu. More »

Amazonian Savannas: Pampas del Heath, Bolivia
Located in northern Bolivia, the Pampas del Heath are the best-conserved savannas left in Amazonia. As islands of grass in a sea of forest, these savannas support a unique flora and fauna and provide shelter to rare mammals such asthe maned wolf and the marsh deer. In the Pampas, ACA is developing a research and conservation program that includes biological inventories, studies of fire ecology, studies of traditional indigenous use of the Pampas, and support for Bolivian protected areas. More »

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Tamandua anteater. Photo: Sam Abell

Peruvian park guards on a monitoring course at CICRA. Photo: Jerry Martínez

Guan in a guava tree at CICRA. Photo: Trond Larsen