A group of people observe wildlife in a dense forest canopy using binoculars and field notes.

WIPerú Educa

Environmental education meets conservation

Understand. Feel. Protect.

Our environmental education initiative, WIPerú Educa, launched by our Forest Guardian Ana-Paula Bezzolo, proves once again that conservation thrives on multiple fronts. Through collaborative community projects, the WIPerú team equips local residents living near our reserves with the knowledge, tools, and compelling reasons to protect the rainforest and its wildlife. By fostering deep understanding and strong local connections, we inspire active community involvement, a essential cornerstone for driving long-term environmental change.
The aim of environmental education is to restore the connection between people and nature, and it is an honour for me to contribute to this as coordinator of the WI Peru Environmental Education Project. I firmly believe that there is good in everyone, and the Madre de Dios community is no exception. Conservation is a labourious and complex task, and environmental education, together with ongoing dialogue with local people, is one of the most powerful tools for success.
Ana-Paula Bezzolo Coordinator of "WIPerú Educa"

Building a sustainable future for young people

Launched in August 2024, the environmental education project targets two groups simultaneously: local youth and the communities surrounding the protected area. For instance, the Laberinto district, which borders the Secret Forest, relies heavily on mining for its livelihood. Through this project, we aim to open up new opportunities for community members and build a more sustainable future alongside the younger generation.

In collaboration with the Javier Heraud School in nearby Puerto Rosario, Ana-Paula’s team has already carried out three initiatives designed to bring local nature to life for young people. Students even visited our research station in the Secret Forest, where a "green classroom" is currently under construction. Once complete, it will host visiting school groups on a regular basis.

Aerial view of a small farming settlement with wooden houses and solar panels surrounded by rainforest and cultivated fields.
Our Green Classroom is fitted with solar panels and situated right next to one of our forest guardians’ stations.

Environmental education in schools and universities

Project 1: “Eureka”
The WIPerú team was invited to evaluate primary and secondary student projects at the national science fair, “Eureka.” Discussions during the event highlighted the school's financial challenges, sparking the idea to offer targeted training for teaching staff. These workshops are designed to hone existing skills and build new ones, such as academic writing and conducting independent research.

Project 2: “¡Vámonos al Monte!”
Night walks, birdwatching, and introductory sessions on ornithology and herpetofauna made the students' visit to our research station a true highlight of November 2024. The goal was not only to dispel common myths about the rainforest and its wildlife, but also to foster a meaningful connection with local biodiversity.

Project 3: Green School
The principal of Javier Heraud School reached out to the WIPerú team for help restoring the school’s former green spaces. While he initially just asked for seeds, our agroforestry and botany specialists, Simón and Gaby, jumped at the chance to share hands-on expertise with the children. They shared how to select native plants, assess soil conditions, and use proper gardening tools.

A group of people observe wildlife in a dense forest canopy using binoculars and field notes.
There was plenty for the pupils at Javier Heraud School to discover in the Secret Forest.
Woman in green shirt presenting to children seated at tables in a wooden pavilion with glass panels and large windows.
Forest Guardian Ana Paula teaches captivated students about the inhabitants of the rainforest.
Group of approximately 20 people of varying ages posing together in front of a green wooden building with a garden.
Once our Green Classroom is finished, projects like this are sure to take place more often.

Inspiring local commitment

In an area where gold mining provides many families with their daily livelihood, community engagement with sustainability and conservation cannot be taken for granted.

This makes it all the more essential to raise environmental awareness, teach ecological concepts, and inspire a active commitment to conservation. Achieving lasting success requires the trust and support of nearby communities. Through these initial projects, the WIPerú team is building its local presence and directly addressing community needs.

Aerial view of dense rainforest with lush green canopy and towering trees beneath cloudy sky.
Local communities and schools are key to protecting the Amazon. Through education and engagement, we're building a new generation of rainforest guardians who understand the vital role this ecosystem plays for our planet and all its inhabitants.

Engaging the local community

Mazuko
At the annual town festival in nearby Mazuko, a WIPerú booth raised awareness about rainforest conservation and promoted sustainable living through interactive activities and educational materials.

Puerto Maldonado
With a Halloween-themed "Bat Festival," the WIPerú team set out to clear the bad reputation surrounding bats. Ana-Paula and her team debunked common myths and highlighted the vital ecological role bats play in the Amazon, including seed dispersal, a process critical to local biodiversity.

National University of San Antonio Abad in Cusco
A university conference on “Sustainable Environmental Management in the Southern Amazon” aligned perfectly with our core mission. The WIPerú team was honoured to deliver four presentations at the event covering local flora and fauna, our agroforestry initiatives, and the essential link between civil society and conservation.

Two people in Halloween costumes holding flyers on a night street decorated with green bamboo stalks.
The Bat Festival in Puerto Maldonado helped visitors to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of these often misunderstood animals.
A brown bat with open mouth showing teeth rests on light beige fabric with a dark blurred background.
Thanks to Chris Ketola, our bat expert, participants were able to experience these fascinating creatures at close quarters.
Five staff members stand behind a display table with natural products, holding cardboard cutouts of insects and wildlife.
Our delegation from WIPerú at the conference on ‘Sustainable Environmental Management in the Southern Amazon’ in Cusco.
A diverse group of people gather around a table displaying fruits and natural products during an indoor educational presentation or demonstration.
The team was able to teach interested visitors a great deal about the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest.
Man holding microphone gives presentation to large group gathered indoors with colourful wall accents.
Students and lecturers asked questions, took an active part in the discussion and expressed an interest in getting involved with WIPerú in the future.

Next steps for WIPerú Educa

WIPerú Educa has already proven to be a resounding success, continuously building local awareness about the critical importance of biodiversity and rainforest ecosystems for our shared future.

Moving forward, our next steps center on expanding both school and community engagement across the Madre de Dios region. We're formalizing long-term partnerships with local schools and the UGEL Tambopata education authority to co-develop tailored environmental curricula, train teachers in scientific research, and complete our solar-powered Green Classroom to host regular student visits.

At the same time, we're strengthening community ties through agreements with the Laberinto local council, hosting outreach events like the bat festival, and building strategic alliances with local businesses, NGOs, and universities in Puerto Maldonado and the national park’s buffer zone.

Watch this space as we continue our exciting work in this region!

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