The dry forests of the Limón community are located in the foothills of the western slope of the Andes, and provide habitat for the critically endangered White-Winged Guan (Penelope albipennis). The forest is not legally protected, but NCI is working with local communities to protect critical zones of the forest, and is also developing a conservation model based on ecotourism instead of cattle ranching. Birdlife International has recognized the importance of the Limón dry forest by including it in its list of the 130 “Important Bird Areas” in the country.

NCI is working with the community of Caserío Limón to create a reserve area, and we are also helping to legalize the community’s title to property in forests adjacent to population centers.

In addition, we helped to establish a Board of Directors of the Association of Conservation and Ecotourism of the Frejolillo’s Forest, which has since created a manual of internal guidelines and a management plan for the forest’s resources. Another activity carried out in cooperation with the community is an internship course that emphasizes the topics of agro-ecology, organization, and ecotourism.

Efforts are also being made in coordination with the Regional Government of Piura to name part of this area a Regional Protected Area, and to pursue long-term support for conservation actions, promotion of ecotourism, and improvement of infrastructure and services in the community.