Our Vision
High in the Andes of South America, climate change threatens water and forests. Acción Andina, launched and powered by GFG and Peruvian nonprofit Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos, is an ambitious initiative to bring them back. Across the region, tens of thousands of community members are reviving the ancient Inca principles of communal work to regenerate high-altitude forests and protect the ecosystems that supply water not only to their families, but also to millions of people living downstream.
But this is just the beginning. Learn more about how Acción Andina is collaborating with local communities to protect ecosystems, culture, and more.
Reviving Andean Forests for Future Generations
As the origin of the Amazon River, the Andes play an essential role in the water security of the continent. Native forests, particularly Polylepis trees, capture cloud mist and water from melting glaciers and slowly release it to recharge watersheds. Yet, only 1.2 million acres remain. Acción Andina is on a monumental mission to restore these endangered ecosystems to improve water security and climate resilience.
Our Key Issues
Acción Andina goes beyond restoring forests. Our holistic initiative fosters leadership development, educational programs, water security, wildlife protection, and more by supporting communities and creating a restoration economy around reviving high-altitude Andean landscapes.
Forest Ecosystems
Climate Resilience
Water Security
Local Leadership
Wildlife
SEE OUR NUMBERS
The Outcomes of Our Work
Acción Andina has already planted millions of trees, protected thousands of acres of endangered forests, and involved tens of thousands of local community members and conservation leaders across the Andes. Explore our interactive platform showcasing the latest impact metrics. While our data is still being refined, this is a first glimpse into our detailed and transparent effort to track restoration progress across the Andes. Dive into the numbers, see the results, and join us in our mission to restore these vital ecosystems.
SHARING THE PROCESS
The Importance of Partnerships
Acción Andina’s success is all about partnerships – both local and global – to work together toward the common goal of regenerating nature.
“Acción Andina is not just about producing and restoring young trees. It’s about working hand-in-hand with the local communities.”
Rosmery Ayala, Executive Director of Faunagua, Bolivia.
PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY
The Species We Protect
Andean mountain cat: This endangered, small wild cat is native to the high Andes of Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Its highly fragmented population is estimated to number fewer than 2500. Photo by Matthias Lebong
Orchids: There are many endemic and endangered orchid species that grow in cloud forests of the Andes. Some grow on the branches of shrubs and Polylepis trees. The orchids' habitat has been severely affected by deforestation, livestock, agricultural expansion, and forest fragmentation. Photo by Constantino Aucca
Marbled four-eyed frog: Living at 17,700 feet above sea level in Peru’s Cordillera Vilcanota, this is the world's highest altitude amphibian. Recent research indicates that this species is responding to climate change by expanding into new upslope habitat. Photo by Emma Steigerwald
Vicuña: The wild ancestor of domesticated alpaca, the vicuña are native to the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. As poaching remains a constant threat because of the animal’s prized wool, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifies most of the population as threatened and Ecuador’s population as endangered. Photo by ICEA
Cochabamba Mountain-finch: This endangered bird, endemic to Bolivia, is only found in the Cordilera de Cochabamba of central Bolivia. The species is in decline because of widespread destruction of its Polylepis forest habitat. Yet small breeding populations still occur. Photo by Paul Jones
Andean Condor: One of the world’s longest living birds, it has a life-span of 50-70 years. It is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Photo by Ruth Craine
Spectacled Bear: The only surviving species of bear native to South America, the Spectacled Bear is primarily a herbivore. It inhabits the fragmented cloud forests of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Photo by Tim J. Hopwood
Red-tailed Comet: This hummingbird inhabits the Andes of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Its population is believed to be stable. Photo by Paul Jones
Ash breasted Tit-Tyrant: An endangered, small flycatcher found in Peru and Bolivia, the Ash breasted Tit-tyrant inhabits Polylepis forest fragments. Photo by Constantino Aucca
Screaming hairy armadillo: This very small burrowing armadillo, native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, is approximately 14 inches long and weighs 30 oz. (860 grams). It gets its name because it squeals when threatened and has more hair than other armadillo species. It is omnivorous and spends most of its time foraging. Photo by Istvan Kerkes
Black-breasted Puffleg: A critically endangered species of hummingbird native to Ecuador, there are fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild. Now found only in northwest Ecuador, the Black-breasted Puffleg inhabits Polylepis forests. Photo by Steve Blain
Royal Cinclodes: The critically endangered Royal Cinclodes inhabits Polylepis forests of Peru and Bolivia. The bird’s total population was recently estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals. Photo by Gregorio Ferro
Strengthening Communities
Local communities recognize both the urgency and the opportunity to restore their mountain ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, and enhance climate and water security.
