Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica

Sustainability Policy

• Definition and respect of authentic cultural, social and environmental values
• Creation of professional development opportunities
• Encouragement of recruitment and training of local staff
• Development of an ideal work environment providing better living conditions
• Development of activities in accordance with current legislation
• Development of contingency plans for natural, social or financial disasters
• Raising awareness within partners, travelers and locals on the conservation of the environment
• Usage of environmentally friendly products, maintenance and good communication with suppliers
• Efficient usage of energy and water, and provision of adequate waste treatment
• Development of continuous improvement in our management and process controls by minimizing negative impacts
• Identification of the positive and negative effects generated by human action
• Offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the organization’s operations in order to be carbon neutral.
• Being a replicable business model of low initial cost and high positive impact on local populations
• Belief that conservation is achieved through the sustainable use of natural resources
• Development of strategies to protect and restore ecosystems
• Encouragement of the development of local communities

ITA

The non-profit organization ITA started researching in 1978, in order to promote the conservation of Peru’s biodiversity and cultural resources.

• Committed to sustainable development
• Core objectives are the encouragement of scientific research and the promotion of responsible business models to benefit local communities
• ITA has been able to protect over 15,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest in the low basin of Madre de Dios river (capturing 3’400,000 tons of carbon emissions), as well as ecosystems in Cuzco’s cloud forests
• These activities are supported by partnerships with National Geographic Society, Global Environment Facility (United Nations), Conservation International, World Bank, International Game Fish Association, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and other influential organizations
• ITA’s research program is self-funded through its ecotourism activities, which have provided 21 new species for science among orchids, amphibians, insects and liana
• A Spectacled Bear conservation program in Machu Picchu; bird and orchid studies; and a marine reserve at Cabo Blanco (Northern Peru) stand out among ITA’s current projects
• ITA’s mission is to preserve the nature and biodiversity for the benefit of the environment, local communities and future generations
• ITA’s vision is to strengthen research, restoration and conservation of biodiversity through sustainable development

ITA’S VALUES

1. Passion for conservation.
2. Actions in favor of sustainability, to ensure resources for future generations.
3. Constant innovation towards sustainable development.
4. Support on scientific research and awareness among local communities, as well encouraging education for future specialists, allowing the application of innovative methods during science projects.
5. Application of research on restoration and conservation, creating permanent value on biodiversity.
6. Free outreach of the information generated by ITA, as the comprehension of nature is a universal right.
7. Sharing experiences through training, environmental education and participative, multidisciplinary activities.
8. Development of replicable low cost production models that promote sustainable activities of high impact.
9. Integral support for the benefit of ecotourism.
10. Encouragement of strategic partnerships with organizations and associations with similar goals of ITA.

Schools

Preservation of natural resources, ecosystems and environment, is a subject that must be taught to the communities. Particularly to schoolchildren, so sustainable development becomes part of progress in education.

• Inkaterra Asociacion (ITA) is devoted to educate future guardians of nature and therefore designed educational workshops on conservation for school kids
• The workshops combine knowledge and fun, through games, expositions, handcrafts and experiments, thus kids enjoy learning and discovering different themes related to environmental care and biodiversity
• ITA has established partnerships with renowned institutions such as Markham College, with which it develops improvement programs in schools, such as helping with painting and furniture to the Ese’eja Palma Real native community
• ITA currently organizes a course once a year on Education for Conservation in the district of Machu Picchu

Training Courses

ITA develops research and conservation activities, always creating new ecotourism products, as it is the most efficient strategy to protect the environment and develop the economy of local communities.

• Through training courses knowledge is transferred to (mainly young) professionals, in order to specialize them in environmental interpretation, ecotourism, agroforestry, good practices etc.
• This contributes to the development of a responsible and sustainable activity, focused in the conservation of Peru’s most relevant ecosystems

Training courses programmed for the first trimester of 2014 are:

Tambopata
◦ “III Bird Banding Course”
◦ “IV Environment Interpretation Course for Ecotourism Guides”
◦ “Tropical Dendrology”

Machu Picchu
◦ “Introduction to Birdwatching Workshop” (Jan. 2014)
◦ “Birdwatching Techniques Workshop” (Feb. 2014)
◦ “Orchid Conservation at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Course”
◦ “Andean Bear Conservation Course”
◦ “Apiculture Course”
◦ “Bio Garden Development Workshop”

Cabo Blanco
◦ “Implementation of Good Practices in Touristic Activities” (Jan. 2014)
◦ “Customer Service” (Jan. 2014)
◦ “Implementation of Sport Fishing Sustainable Techniques” (Jan. 2014)
◦ “Best Practices on Artisanal Fishing” (February 2014)

Carbon Monitoring

• Initiated in 1989 by the University of Leeds and the Rainforest the Carbon Monitoring program is based in the installation of four permanent plots, one hectare each, located at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
• Carbon fixation is monitored in the soil and vegetation through various methodologies.
• A new permanent plot has also been established by the Faculty of Forest Sciences of Universidad Agraria La Molina (Lima).
• Oliver Phillips and Tim Baker’s studies have revealed that after accomplishing all stages to calculate the amount of carbon per hectare, the average of carbon sequestered per each hectare is 200 Tn/ha.
• This result is calculated without the addition of 25 tons of Necromass,70 tons of Biomass found in roots, and 25 Tons captured by small trees and liana
• The strategic alliance with global academic institutions and organizations is of huge benefit for ITA. Every three years, the University of Leeds research team performs carbon monitoring in the Amazon Rainforest, and it is an opportunity for capacitating ITA’s professionals in this activity
• According to these calculations, ITA has sequestered 3’000,000 Tons of carbon in the forests that it conserves, which determines that Inkaterra’s tourism activities are Carbon Neutral

ITA Scholarship

• Starting in 2011, a scholarship program for scientific research was established
• The program is developed without relying on external funding, just with one’s effort and the backing of Inkaterra Peru S.A.C
• If ITA manages other sources of financing, the number of scholars to be benefited by this program will grow
• Research is held in Field Station Casa ITA (Tambopata), located 17 km away from Puerto Maldonado, on the left margin of the Madre de Dios low river
• A biannual scholarship was established for subjects like Biology, Forestry and Environmental Engineering, Ecotourism, and other related careers according to the call
• The scholarship consists in financing the scholar’s stay at Casa ITA, for the time determined by his or her activities schedule, with a maximum period of 24 months
• To this date, two scholarships have been granted:
• A call for the next scholarship will be announced via ITA’s web page

Volunteer With ITA

• Volunteering is an alternative way of traveling that provides a deeper experience of the local culture and environment
• ITA offers the opportunity to participate in activities that help to counteract aggression against nature, contributing with their efforts for conservation, research, social development, and education
• Volunteering also supports the funding of ITA’s projects
• The list of activities for volunteers is conducted in the Biological Station Casa ITA, located in the Amazon rainforest in Madre de Dios
• Since 2004 Casa ITA is a place of learning for professionals and young people with an interest in conservation, research and ecotourism

ITA provides an intense and a total immersion experience in the Amazon forest, being as well as instructive and fun. This is achieved through a carefully prepared program and interaction with technical teams, as well as through work with researchers who offer lectures and demonstrations of the work being mad.