Tambopata Reserve Society (TReeS)

Who are we?

TReeS (Tambopata Reserve Society) is a non-profit organisation (UK Charity 298054) that supports local conservation and sustainable development initiatives in the Tambopata and Madre de Dios drainage basins, Peru. TReeS comprises two sister organisations: TReeS UK, founded in 1986, with members worldwide (many of whom came to Tambopata as tourists), and over 18 years experience working in the area, and TReeS Peru, founded in 2000 by a group of Peruvian biologists and social scientists who have worked in the region and share common interests.

What are our Mission Statement and Aims?

The Tambopata Reserve Society (TReeS) exists to promote conservation in and sustainable development of the Madre de Dios river basin, with particular reference to the Tambopata area of south east Peru. Its aims are (in no order of priority): 1. To promote and support biodiversity conservation; 2. To promote and support environmental education; 3. To promote sound environmental management; 4. To support community-led projects relevant to the sustainable use of natural resources; 5. To promote and support research relevant to the above.

Our Objectives and Scope of Work

1. To promote and support biodiversity conservation: To support the management of the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and other protected areas in the Tambopata and surrounding areas; to clarify the current status of other areas within the Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone and to assist in the preparation of proposals for their future management; to provide funding for locally based conservation initiatives and where appropriate to offer support and training relevant to conservation needs. 2. To promote and support environmental education: To work with existing Peruvian environmental education providers to develop initiatives in the Tambopata area; To continue to support Naturalists / guides at tourist lodges in the area, as a means of promoting environmental awareness amongst visitors; To promote and support the development of environmental education materials and facilities; 3. To promote sound environmental management: To monitor development activities in the Tambopata area and encourage the use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures to achieve sound environmental management; To raise awareness of and comment upon the environmental effects of development activities, including tourism, and where appropriate offer advice on how to achieve better environmental practice; To strengthen the role of local communities in regional environmental planning; 4. To support community-led projects relevant to the sustainable use of natural resources:

To continue to support environmentally-orientated projects originating from the native communities of Madre de Dios; To support other community-led environmentally orientated projects where appropriate.

5. To promote and support research relevant to the above: To continue to support the research activities of Naturalists and other researchers working in the area; To promote co-operative research opportunities in the Tambopata area to an international audience; To co-ordinate and liaise with other organisations and individuals working towards conservation, environmental education and sustainable management in the area.

Some Recent Activities supported by TReeS

Social Projects
FENAMAD Emergency Task Force Following news of Petroleum companies Perupetro and Pluspetrol applying to explore in the area of the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, and incidents in May 2005 between uncontacted indigenous groups, loggers and other isolated communities, TReeS provided funding to FENAMAD thus assisting in the establishment of an Emergency Task Force who are working together to help defend the rights of isolated indigenous communities, people who have chosen to live their traditional lives in peace and isolation. Eseeja Territorial Reconstruction - TReeS and FENEMAD are working together to assist and support the Eseeja communities map and record information about their ancient Territories Trips wtih the communities in Sonene and Palma Real up the Heath River were completed in 2004. This year the elders from the La Torre/Infierno communities will travel up the Tambopata and its tributaries Traditional Remedies of the Ese eja Support was provided to a team of Business Management graduates from Yale, USA and facilitation of meetings and research locally into the challenges and marketing opportunities for the products of CentroNape, a community based centre of healing and education, whose focus is on the use of traditional remedies and practices, and knowledge retention by providing workshops to community members

Education
TReeS Bulletin with the help of a grant from the Funding Network, TReeS have been producing and distributing a news bulletin in Peru for distribution to visitors to the area. In this way we can raise awareness of work undertaken by TReeS, local and national issues relating to the promotion of conservation and sustainable development in the Madre de Dios Proyecto Curvince (CHRIS CHECK SPELLING) Trees office staff in Puerto Maldonado participated in activities to clean up the streets of Puerto Maldonado in July this year. Going forward they will be encouraging and supporting local schools with educational activities they are undertaking relating to the care of the environment and waste management issues International Schools Exchange programme A project which has linked schools in Tambopata with international schools as part of a reciprocal educational partnership. Participants identify and examine their culture, and design methods of sharing it and exchanging materials with their international friends. In addition, schools in Tambopata will be helped to improve education, according to their specific needs, these improvements will be funded by money raised collaboratively by the two partner schools

Conservation
Project Fauna Forever . Project Fauna Forever aimed to monitor tourism impacts on local wildlife populations in Tambopata, around 5 jungle lodges over a long term period. This monitoring

will be based on the previous baseline study undertaken in 1997-1998, and data which is currently being analysed following the year long study into the impacts of tourism conducted in 2004-5. The intention is to repeat the study every 5 years. Scientific Investigation ongoing provision of local support, advice and assistance to international and national scientists and researchers. Ecology of Stingless Bees provision of funding enabling the purchase of a Microscope thus assisting in the research on the ecology of stingless bees of the family Meliponini - an important source of honey. Certain species produce honey with a fine flavour and/or with reputed medicinal properties enabling it to retail at higher prices than the honey from the domesticated honey bee, Apis melifera . Hives of Meliponini can be kept as a source of income and a useful addition to the diet for local people in rainforest regions, and as a sustainable resource it represents a useful addition to the productivity of traditional chacras in or adjacent to protected forest areas. This is a significant economic activity in Brazil, but has not arrived at a commercial level in Madre de Dios

Where to find more information

For more information see www.geocities.com/treesperu or www.tambopata.org Peru :- Alfredo Garcia, TReeS, Casilla 28, Jr Lambayeque 438, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, Peru Tel 084 572788 Canada/USA:- William Widdowson, TReeS-USA, PO Box 1114, Woodland, CA 95776, USA Rest of World:- John Forest, TReeS-UK, PO Box 33153, London, NW3 4DR, United Kingdom