An update from Buen Jardín de Callarú

Just the gist

Short on time? Here’s what you need to know for this update:

• 🗞️ An update from the Chigu Technology Hub — Learn how Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) combines traditional knowledge of the forests with technology to protect the rainforest.
• 🚧 Plans to develop two new hubs — With funding from Wren supporters and other partners, at least two new hubs in the communities of Lancha Poza and Tempestad will be developed this year.

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An update from the Chigu Technology Hub

In a region where access to clean drinking water, electricity, and internet is limited, our partners behind the Tech-enabled Rainforest Protection project helped establish the Chigu Technology Hub with the local community. It is the first technology hub located in an Indigenous community and is designed to facilitate data-driven deforestation prevention.

Located in Buen Jardín de Callarú, an Indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon, the community is part of the Rainforest Alert program and is actively involved in the protection of the rainforest.

Enoc Chanchari, a resident of Buen Jardín and forest monitor, shared how the technology hub operates. The hub receives satellite alerts about felled trees, either by traveling to the nearest community or town with internet access or receiving a USB with data delivered by boat by the Regional Indigenous organization (ORPIO) in coordination with Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS).

The data is then shared with Rainforest Alert monitors in neighboring communities who document the deforestation with photos and videos. The information is brought back to the technology hub to develop a report, which is shared with the community assembly so that they can take action or communicate with enforcement agencies.

Thanks to this process, deforestation threats are caught and dealt with quickly. Local people benefit from the use of monitoring technology, and the jobs in the hub bring money into the area. Most importantly, the community can directly track and protect their lands.

Plans to develop two new hubs

With the major success of the Chigu hub, RFUS is committed to expanding this unique model and building several technology hubs in strategically placed communities within the areas that they work. With funding from Wren and others, RFUS will be able to develop at least two new hubs in the communities of Lancha Poza and Tempestad this year.

New hubs will provide the local communities with much faster, inclusive and efficient access to their data, which will improve their capacity to protect their territory and conserve their forests.

RFUS is committed to working in deep partnership with indigenous communities to protect the forests we all depend on. The Chigu Technology Hub enables Buen Jardin Callaru to control what happens in their territory and combines traditional knowledge of the forests with technology to protect the rainforest. And this couldn’t be done without your help through Wren.

That's all for this update! As always, thank you for your support.
— the Wren team 🧡