Into the Unexplored

The Amazon rainforest of northern Peru is a vast, untamed wilderness—26,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles) of towering jungle mountains, rushing white-water canyons, and untouched lowland forests. It is a place where few outsiders have ever set foot, where Indigenous Awajún communities have lived for centuries, and where science has only just begun to uncover the secrets of its diverse and undiscovered wildlife.

We are the Amazonas Conservation Initiative (ACIperu), a boots-on-the-ground nonprofit dedicated to real conservation work in one of the most remote and biologically rich regions on Earth.

Our mission is to lay the groundwork for critical wildlife research, climate studies, and conservation action, working directly with the Awajún to protect their land, their culture, and the species that call this place home.

Join us in this journey of discovery—one that leads deep into the heart of an untouched rainforest, where every step forward brings new knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world’s last great wilderness.

WHERE WE WORK

Nieva River & Kampankis Mountains, Amazonas, Peru

Our work takes place in one of the most ecologically and culturally significant regions of the Amazon. The Kampankis Mountains, a 180-km long yet incredibly narrow mountain range, rise like a jagged spine through the rainforest, separating the Cordillera del Cóndor to the west from a vast expanse of lowland jungle. This rugged terrain, covered in dense rainforest and veined with fast-flowing rivers, has been home to the Awajún people for centuries.

The Nieva River, a tributary of the Marañón River, flows through this land, carving a path through the mountains and providing life to the communities that depend on its waters. The town of Santa Maria de Nieva, located at the river’s confluence with the Marañón, serves as a key connection point between the Awajún people and the outside world.

The Awajún hold deep cultural and spiritual ties to this land. According to their beliefs, all plants, animals, mountains, and rivers possess a spirit, or WAKAN, and exist in a living, interconnected world. Their myths speak of a time when all beings were once human and of powerful spirits that protect the forest and guide their people.

Yet, despite its isolation, this region faces increasing threats from deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable development. That is why we work directly with Awajún communities to support sustainable livelihoods, such as cacao, bamboo, and fine hardwood production, while also advocating for the protection of their ancestral lands.

Our Conservation Approach

We believe that conservation success is not just about protecting wildlife—it is about ensuring that nature thrives so that the people who depend on it can live productive and sustainable lives.

That means:
✅ Preserving old-growth forests – Protecting one of the last intact rainforests on Earth.
✅ Safeguarding clean river systems – Ensuring the Nieva and other waterways remain unpolluted.
✅ Honoring Indigenous traditions – Supporting the Awajún in their efforts to maintain cultural practices while adapting to modern conservation challenges.
✅ Defending community land rights – Working with local federations to strengthen governance and secure legal protections.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

With climate change and increasing pressures on the Amazon, the urgency to act has never been greater. Through scientific research, sustainable development, and Indigenous leadership, we are working to protect this extraordinary ecosystem for future generations.

Our work, our research, and our connections—this project—needs new energy, fresh perspectives, and people who share our passion for discovery and conservation. But getting involved doesn’t mean dropping everything and heading into the jungle (though, if that’s your calling, we won’t stop you!).

There are many ways to support and be part of this journey. Some people help by simply following our progress, offering moral support, and sharing our mission with others who might be interested.

Others play a more active role—helping us connect with scientists who may want to conduct research in this largely unexplored region, assisting with research, or even helping us navigate the complex world of conservation funding and outreach.

For those who dream of fieldwork but can’t make the leap right now, there’s always the potential to become more involved later on. The rainforest isn’t going anywhere overnight—but the opportunity to protect it is fleeting. Whether you’re drawn to the adventure, the science, or the chance to make a real impact, there’s a place for you here.

Now is the time to stand with the Amazon—and with those who have called it home for centuries.