Located in northwestern Peru, the Marañón River valley is one of the most arid and seasonally dry territories in the Peruvian Andes. Our work within the Marañón Dry Forests Mosaic follows a landscape and governance approach, aimed at promoting the establishment of new conservation areas, strengthening the management of existing protected spaces, encouraging the sustainable use of natural resources, and developing financial sustainability mechanisms.
This valley represents one of the most significant biogeographical frontiers in the Andes. Despite being a relatively small territory, it possesses immense ecological value, harboring flora and fauna species that are endemic at local, national, and global levels.
HIGHLIGHTS
143 endemic
flora species
Over 160,000
acres protected
6 established
protected areas
50 animal species
with relatively
restricted habitats
Results so far
Since 2012, Nature and Culture International has worked toward the conservation of the Marañón Dry Forests within the departments of Cajamarca, Amazonas, and La Libertad. This effort has been built alongside strategic allies, regional governments, municipalities, and, above all, the local communities that inhabit and care for the land.
As a result, since June 2025, three regional conservation areas and three private conservation areas have been established, which together protect 162,124 acres.
While in 2009 barely 0.1% of the ecoregion had any form of protection, today that figure has reached 2.86%, marking a significant milestone for the conservation of these ecosystems.
Nature and Culture has also collaborated on the restoration of the valley’s landscape, pioneering the first propagation and planting initiative for six endemic flora species that are critically endangered.
Why It Matters
The Marañón dry forests harbor a biological richness of great scientific value and a high level of endemism. Furthermore, they sustain the lives of local communities. These forests provide essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation, resource provision, and support for traditional productive activities. Additionally, their connection to the Amazon basin makes the Marañón a key link for ecological balance on both a regional and continental scale.
Conserving these forests means conserving the Amazon River watershed and its hydrobiological resources, upon which local populations depend.
Securing the Future
Thanks to the support of our donors, we are strengthening the management of the Cujillo, Utco and Cutervo areas .
Furthermore, we are working towards the creation of a new protected area: the Marañón–Bolívar, a proposal covering approximately 103,784 acres of Inter-Andean Forests. And we are moving forward with landscape restoration efforts across three conservation areas within the valley.
