Brazil Nut Rainforest Project

The second largest area of the Amazon rainforest after Brazil is located in Peru. The Peruvian Amazon contains an outstanding level of biodiversity; the region of Madre de Dios is considered Peru’s richest in biodiversity. Converting forest land to agriculture and illegal logging are the main drivers of forest degradation and fragmentation in this area.
The Brazil Nut Rainforest REDD Project protects an area of about 300,000 hectares of rich primary rainforest in the southeast of Peru. The forest provides a habitat for numerous endangered plant and animal species. The local communities benefit from an intact forest ecosystem they use for the traditional harvest of Brazil nuts but also from a new nut processing plant that is being financed with carbon revenues. Community members are trained in sustainable nut harvesting techniques, receive additional business support to improve market access and are supported in strengthening their land rights.