Aerial view of a large group of people in yellow and black shirts posing cheerfully together on green grass.

Forest Guardians

Protectors of the forest

Our team at the Secret Forest

In Peru, local forest guardians ensure the protection of our areas. They regularly monitor the land by means of inspections, drone flights, and sensors, maintain contact with the people in the region, and manage environmental education and agroforestry projects. 

By protecting their local forests, they can earn a sustainable living as an alternative to felling trees, hunting, or gold mining.

Forest Guardian are locals who have a great deal of experience and knowledge about the forest. In addition to protecting these areas, they also run environmental education projects with people in Puerto Maldonado and the surrounding region. In this way, they pass on their knowledge and experience to the local community and inspire them to protect the forests. 

As guides, Forest Guardians also lead and support our international expedition teams in monitoring and documenting the protection of the areas and carrying out research projects.

Guardians at work

Boating, walking through the dense rainforest, documenting animal sightings, using GPS, flying drones, carrying out environmental education projects, and accompanying agroforestry projects—the activities of our Forest Guardians are diverse.
Group of people gathered in a circle inside an open-air wooden pavilion surrounded by lush jungle foliage.
Coordination as a matter of safety: regular team meetings help ensure safe patrols through the rainforest.
Person wearing orange life vest sits in boat on river, looking through binoculars at lush green forest
The river is the main artery of the rainforest, which is why traveling by boat is an essential part of the Forest Guardians’ daily work.
Two hikers wade through a shallow stream in a lush rainforest surrounded by dense green vegetation.
Our Forest Guardians cover several kilometers on foot during their patrols.
Man crouching in forest holds small drone above head in front of massive tree trunk
In inaccessible areas, the patrol teams use drones for aerial surveys.
Research team discusses findings in lush tropical forest surrounded by dense green vegetation
Forest Guardians play a significant role in our reserachers' fieldwork. They help install fire warning systems, camera traps, and audio sensors.
Group of 14 people in casual attire posing by a riverbank, holding a yellow wilderness protected area sign from Peru.
They also put up signs along the boundaries of our protected areas and stay closely connected with the local community.

A day in the the life of a Forest Guardian

Discover what our Forest Guardians’ fieldwork looks like and learn more about their motivation, their daily responsibilities, and their deep connection to the forest.

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Meet our Forest Guardians

  • Guido Nuñez

    Guido Nuñez

    Forest Guardian
    I’m originally from the highlands of Peru and I’m proud of my roots in Arequipa. I’ve known the jungle for many years. My children were born in Madre de Dios. I fell in love with the jungle straight away and carried out many important construction projects for the city, such as the Madre de Dios obelisk. I have considered myself a lover of biodiversity and an expert on flora and fauna since I was 20 years old. I am delighted to be part of WI because I appreciate its approach to protecting nature and preserving what little remains of our wonderful forests.
  • Guimo Granados Isita

    Guimo Granados Isita

    Forest Guardian
    I’ve just come from Puerto Maldonado, right in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. I work for Wilderness International because it gives me the chance to do what I love, which is protecting nature and its wildlife. I learn new and exciting things every day and am proud to be part of this group of forest conservationists!
  • Xiomara Banegas

    Xiomara Banegas

    Forest Guardian

    My career in nature conservation began in Peru – I wanted to protect the rainforest. After studying environmental engineering and completing a research placement with Wilderness International, I became a forest ranger. There, I worked directly with researchers studying amphibians, mammals and birds, and honed my skills in wildlife monitoring.

    Today, I collect biological data in our protected areas – to inform decisions that safeguard fragile ecosystems. The rainforest teaches me something new every day. Every day brings surprises in the form of colours, sounds and shapes you’d never otherwise discover. That’s the best thing about this job.

  • Omar Torres Martinez

    Omar Torres Martinez

    Forest Guardian
    I was born in the Peruvian Amazon, in the Madre de Dios region. I have lived surrounded by nature since childhood, and as an adult I have worked primarily in public institutions such as Osinfor, Serfor and others, for the benefit of the forests. I have always been drawn to the idea of nurturing and conserving the flora and fauna of my region. That is why I consider myself fortunate to be working at Wilderness International Peru. Every day, I learn anew to appreciate the Amazon and to contribute my knowledge for the benefit of the rainforest and future generations of forest conservationists.
  • Luis David Guzmán Lomas

    Luis David Guzmán Lomas

    Forest Guardian
    Hello, I’m Luis David Guzmán Lomas, a forest ranger in the Amazon region. My job is to protect and preserve this unique and diverse ecosystem. My day-to-day work involves patrolling the trails, monitoring the activities of people and animals, and educating local communities about the importance of nature conservation. Our aim is to protect the Amazon’s biodiversity and ensure that human activities do not harm the ecosystem. To achieve this, we work closely with local communities and authorities.
  • Branco Francisco Montalvan

    Branco Francisco Montalvan

    Forest Guardian
    I grew up in the Peruvian city of Iquitos, in the eastern part of the Peruvian jungle, and even as a child I was taught to protect the jungle and its natural beauty. With Wilderness International, I can now do just that and, as a forest ranger, work to combat deforestation and poaching in intact ecosystems to prevent further human impact. My skills in operating drones, outboard motors, ATVs, motorbikes, GPS and seasonal radio communications come in handy every day. 
  • Jhon Fasabi

    Jhon Fasabi

    Forest Guardian
    I come from Pucallpa, in the heart of the Peruvian jungle. Ever since I was a child, I have lived surrounded by the natural diversity of the Peruvian jungle. Thanks to the support of a good friend, I joined Wilderness International Peru and was immediately fascinated by the idea of using my knowledge of the rainforest for such a noble cause: protecting nature and, in doing so, securing a future worth living for humanity.
  • Eudes Pashanaste

    Eudes Pashanaste

    Forest Guardian
    Before joining Wilderness International Peru, I spent 10 years in the army and worked, amongst other things, in the VREAM – a dangerous area known for drug cultivation, trafficking and widespread violence.   

    At Wilderness International, I am dedicated to the safety and upkeep of our nature reserves. Over time, this job has taught me to love nature, and I now consider myself an environmentalist through and through. As a forest ranger, I am prepared to protect our reserves with my life. I want to be a better person every day and keep learning new things so that I can do a better job every day – for us and for nature. 
  • Lenin Sangama Panduro

    Lenin Sangama Panduro

    Forest Guardian

    I was born and brought up in the rainforest region. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved the stories my grandparents told me about the spirits of the forests. When I close my eyes, I can still hear the sound of the birds at my grandparents’ house and remember how I used to listen to an owl’s call every evening.

    Not everyone has the same connection to nature – which is why I find it all the more important to share the experiences from my childhood, spent surrounded by forests and wild animals. I want to do my bit for nature conservation every day – even though I know I can’t do it on my own. But I’ll do my part, and I’m grateful to be able to realise one of my many dreams at Wilderness International: protecting our rainforest and its inhabitants!

  • Ner Charun Arirama Sabalbascoa

    Ner Charun Arirama Sabalbascoa

    Forest Guardian
    I come from Pucallpa, a city situated in the heart of the Amazon region. I have known the rainforest since I was a child and grew up in harmony with this ecosystem. Nevertheless, my path first took me to the big city, and I worked for a long time as an entrepreneur in Lima. 

    But when I heard that Wilderness International was looking for forest rangers, I didn’t hesitate to apply for this important role and return to the forest that I know so well. I am very happy to be able to contribute to the care and protection of this habitat. The thought of my parents also motivates me, as the forest provides their livelihood too. By protecting it, I can also give something back to my parents.
  • Gilberto Macedo Tapullima

    Gilberto Macedo Tapullima

    Forest Guardian
    I come from the Peruvian Amazon, in the Loreto region, so the rainforest has always been a part of my life. 
    One of the memories that has shaped me most comes from Tambopata, when I saw the majestic flight of a harpy eagle for the first time. That moment sparked a deep admiration for wildlife within me, along with a desire to help protect it. I am delighted to now be able to help protect this forest as a forest ranger with Wilderness International.

    As conservationists, we do vital work, because illegal logging, deforestation and illegal mining are destroying our flora and fauna – and with them, one of our planet’s most important sources of oxygen. We must make our children and everyone else aware that the forest is the most important source of life for us humans, and we must look after our planet.
  • Christian Alexander Lázaro Huaytalla

    Christian Alexander Lázaro Huaytalla

    Forest Guardian

    I’m from Lima and travelled to Puerto Maldonado when I heard that Wilderness International was looking for new forest rangers. My motivation is to help protect our natural environment.

    I love being out and about in our protected areas with the other forest rangers and actively working towards a common goal: protecting nature and the animals that live there. Every day brings new challenges, and the rainforest has new lessons in store for me. This motivates me and helps me to keep learning, put my knowledge into practice and push myself to new heights.

  • Hugo Yaicate Sánchez

    Hugo Yaicate Sánchez

    Forest Guardian
    I work as a forest ranger for Wilderness International Peru in the Peruvian Amazon and am delighted to be part of this organisation, which is dedicated to environmental conservation. 

    Life in the city was stressful, but working outdoors and being in contact with nature and all the wild animals that surround us has changed my way of thinking. I have committed myself to the task of caring for and protecting these forests to prevent their destruction. For me, nature itself is like a work of art, an open book for all to see, and the true way to care for it is through dedication and respect.
  • Jeison Pashanaste

    Jeison Pashanaste

    Forest Guardian

    My name is Jeison Pashanaste Guedez, and I work as a forest ranger for Wilderness International. I’m originally from the Loreto region, a place of stunning and vast natural beauty where I grew up, spent my childhood and enjoyed the beautiful landscapes.

    For a long time, I worked in agriculture, growing crops such as bananas and cassava. During that time, I realised how often we fail to recognise the damage we are causing to the environment. That’s why I decided to look for new opportunities, and that’s how I came across Wilderness International Peru. Here, I’ve learnt how important protecting nature is for life itself, and today I’m proud to play an active role in its care and conservation.

  • Fernando Rodríguez

    Fernando Rodríguez

    Forest Guardian
    My name is Fernando Rodríguez, and I work as a forest ranger for Wilderness International. I was born in Pucallpa, a town in the heart of the Amazon. Having known this environment since childhood, I grew up in deep harmony with the forest and nature. When I learnt that Wilderness International was looking for people to protect the rainforest, I didn’t hesitate for a moment to apply. For me, protecting these areas and defending the life of our forest is both a source of great pride and a lifelong commitment.
  • Miller Yaicate Sánchez

    Miller Yaicate Sánchez

    Forest Guardian
    I’m from Iquitos and have always been surrounded by nature; I really do love animals and the forest. At Wilderness International, I learnt how important it is to conserve and protect flora and fauna, because that’s where I realised just how crucial it is to look after our environment in order to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.

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