06/10/2025
Los Cielos Peru: Reforestation, cacao plantations, and communities thriving together!
Last September, devastating fires swept through the rainforest, sending smoke into the skies and turning vibrant green canopies into ash. We lost over 9,000 trees in our beloved rainforest, a grim reminder of how fragile these ecosystems can be when fires rage and the Amazon’s vast panorama is affected. The fire swept across a significant portion of the regional forest, affecting an estimated 60 percent of the Amazon area nearby. In the face of this disaster, Los Cielos Peru has redoubled our commitment to restoration, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods for the communities that depend on these forests.
What we’re planting and caring for now
In response to the fires and to accelerate recovery, we are adding 2,300 cacao plants to our long-term cocoa program. Cacao is more than a crop; it’s a bridge between restoration and community prosperity, providing income while shielding biodiversity when planted in diversified agroforestry systems.
Over the next four months, we will plant 5,000 trees and medicinal plants. These additions will help restore native biodiversity, support traditional healing practices, and create habitat corridors for wildlife.
To date, we have planted 3,000 trees and 4,000 cacao plants. They are in the early stages and require continual care—watering, mulching, pruning, and protection from pests. This ongoing maintenance is essential to ensure these young plants become resilient, mature trees that can sequester carbon, stabilize soils, and enrich microclimates for surrounding ecosystems.
Why these efforts matter beyond our
own land
Our reforestation projects generate meaningful jobs for local people, from planting and tending saplings to monitoring ecosystems and running community workshops. This work sustains families while strengthening the social fabric of the region.
Our trees and cacao initiatives extend beyond Los Cielos Peru. They support many other forests in indigenous communities along the Ucayali River by providing plants, organic fertilizers, and education that enable successful reforestation. The ripple effect of restored landscapes helps stabilize river systems, protect watershed health, and maintain cultural practices tied to the land.
By sharing knowledge about organic fertilizers and sustainable farming practices, we help neighboring forests flourish and empower communities with tools to manage land regeneratively for generations to come.
How your support is powering recovery and protection
Your generosity has been instrumental in sustaining these projects. The funds you contribute do not just seed trees and plants; they fund a holistic approach to restoration, education, and community resilience.
A portion of these funds supports fire prevention and emergency response initiatives. Los Cielos has established a fire vehicle equipped with a water pump and other essential gear to protect and defend local communities in emergencies—especially those who receive little or no government support. This readiness is critical as fires become more frequent and intense, posing immediate risks to people, homes, and ecosystems.
A collective effort for a resilient future
The work in and around Los Cielos Peru is a collaborative journey. We are honored to partner with indigenous communities, local stewards of the land, and supporters near and far who share our commitment to restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and forest stewardship along the Ucayali River.
Each tree planted, each cacao plant nurtured, and each educational workshop delivered is part of a broader tapestry of recovery—restoring biodiversity, rebuilding livelihoods, and strengthening community networks so that forests can thrive once again.
Thank you for standing with us
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and for sharing our projects with friends and networks. Your belief in the power of restoration and community-led conservation fuels our work every day. Together, we are not only rebuilding a forest but also sustaining a way of life that respects the land, supports families, and safeguards the ecosystems that make this region so unique.
A special Thank you to all of our donors who contribute to Kaylee's Trees. We are reforesting in her name too!
With deepest gratitude,
Los Cielos Peru team and the communities
we serve
If you’d like to learn more or get involved, please reach out. We welcome volunteers, partners, and anyone who wants to share our fundraisers and help protect and restore the forests and livelihoods along the Ucayali River.
https://gofund.me/387626b3
