Guardians who serve the nation: restoration and commitment in the Machu Picchu Landscape

July is a special month for Peru. We celebrate our history, our culture, and the extraordinary natural wealth that sets us apart — including the Machu Picchu landscape conservation work happening right now in the mountains of Cusco. And if we talk about national pride, we must turn our eyes not only to thecitadel of Machu Picchubut to the life that pulses through its mountains, forests, and communities.

At Regenera, this patriotic month finds us reaffirming our commitment to this iconic territory. Together with the Guardians who protect the ecosystems of the Machu Picchu Landscape, we continue moving forward step by step in building a sustainable future. We want to share with you the stories that inspire us and the upcoming challenges that motivate us to continue working together for Peru’s nature.

Misquiyaco: Machu Picchu Landscape Conservation in Action

Our journey through the Machu Picchu landscape conservation began this time in the rural Community of Misquiyaco – Urpaypugio, home to the remnant of the meso-Andean forest of Illpay, an ecosystem as valuable as it is threatened. Walking its trails is entering a world of ancient trees like tastas and chachacomos, a living natural history that endures in the heights of Cusco.

United for conservation. Representatives of Regenera, Valle Sagrado Verde (Aliado Paisaje Machu Picchu) and Misquiyaco community members in the heart of the Meso-Andean relict forest, a living symbol of the commitment to regenerate the territory.

At the heart of this landscape is the Misquiyaco Communal Conservation Area (ACC), an official recognition of the community’s commitment to protecting its land. But even more encouraging is that no forest fires have been recorded on its land in the past year. Moreover, the community members organized to help a neighboring community stop fires in surrounding areas, preventing the flames from reaching their forests.

During the visit, we met with both the past and current leadership to align efforts and reinforce our collaboration, aware that an organized community is the best guarantee for conservation.

Signing of the agreement with the previous Misquiyaco board of directors, a first step that today is renewed with new community leadership.

Ollantaytambo: Getting back on track together

In Ollantaytambo, the reunion came with renewed hope. The Community of Ollanta had previously received our proposal to join as a Guardian, but changes in leadership postponed the decision. This time, the new board welcomed us openly and invited us to present the Regenera initiative at their Community Assembly on July 20.

The Assembly was a space for sincere dialogue. The community appreciated the proposal and recommended a follow-up technical meeting with the relevant committees, an essential step for building long-term trust and commitment.

The Ollanta Community is home to the Choquechaca ACC, clear evidence of their conservation interest. At Regenera, we are supporting the community in restoring their community forest nursery, where native trees are already being cultivated to restore the landscape.

Piscacucho: Growing shoots of hope

In the Piscacucho Community, the gateway to the Inca Trail leading to the Machu Picchu llaqta, regeneration is already underway. Since our visit in April, we’ve seen the community’s commitment, led by President José Loayza. The montane forest remnants are being preserved, and reforested areas with queñua, chachacomo, and cedar continue to thrive.

The community is not only caring for its trees: they have formed, with municipal approval, a forest fire brigade made up of both men and women determined to protect their territory from any incident. This proactive organisation is a model to follow within the landscape.

Community commitment is built from local leadership. Together with José Loayza, president of Piscacucho, a guardian community that promotes reforestation and fire prevention in the Machu Picchu Regenera Landscape.

Testimony from José Loayza, community president:

“With Regenera and Valle Sagrado Verde, we are focused on reforesting our territory with native species like high-altitude cedar, chachacomo, and queñua, and we will continue working, preventing fires and protecting our community, thanks to the support we receive.”

What’s next for the Machu Picchu Landscape

The coming months will be crucial to strengthen the work with communities and allies in the landscape:

1. In Misquiyaco, we will strengthen the relationship with the current leadership, encouraging more community members to actively participate in protecting the Illpay forest and supporting the management of the ACC.

2. In Ollantaytambo, we will follow up on the requested technical meeting, hoping to officially welcome the community as a Regenera Guardian. We will also support the renewal process for their ACC and the continuity of their forest nursery, essential for restoration.

3. In Piscacucho, the commitment remains strong, and we will continue supporting the work of their fire brigade and monitoring the reforested areas.

Celebrating Peru: Protecting the Machu Picchu Landscape

Every action counts and every Guardian matters. While the country celebrates its Independence Day, at Regenera we celebrate the commitment of these communities that keep the spirit of conservation alive in one of Peru’s most emblematic landscapes.

But there is still much to be done. To welcome more communities as Guardians, to restore more forests with native species, to prevent more fires, and to conserve what is still alive—we need more hands, more allies, more companies committed to the country’s future.

Today, there are already companies and citizens making this work possible through their support of Regenera. Their commitment to Peru’s nature translates into real impact on the ground.

Because at the heart of the Machu Picchu Landscape, independence is celebrated by regenerating the true wealth of our country: its roots, its forests, and its people.