Peru: When the Water Tells Stories

By Ana Mandria, Executive Director August 2025

Since the early days of my career, I’ve believed that water is the storyteller of the land. Whatever happens high in the mountains eventually finds its way downstream, carrying news to the valleys below. This is especially true in the Kosñipata watershed in Peru, where ICFC supports Conservación Amazónica – ACCA at three key conservation hubs: the cloud forest at Wayquecha, the Manu Biological Station, and the Los Amigos conservation concession. 

Last July, I joined a group of inspiring women to visit two of these stations. The journey began in Wayquecha, where science meets sky. Here, mesh screens mimic climate change by reducing cloud moisture, allowing researchers to study how the forest might respond if the clouds rise above it, a scenario expected under future climate conditions. 

We spent time with the remarkable Ruthmery, who manages the station and leads the Andean bear (Ukuku in Quechua) conservation program. Walking with her feels like the most engaging natural history class imaginable. Andean bears are vital seed dispersers, shaping the forest’s diversity. Her deep connection with the community is evident in every aspect of the station’s work, from education programs to local partnerships. 

From there, the road descended into the rainforest to Manu, a station alive with research. Its state-of-the-art laboratory processes DNA samples and advances insect biodiversity studies, linking this forest to global scientific networks. Here, I had the privilege of speaking with former fellows, a program funded by ICFC to support the next generation of conservation leaders. It was inspiring to see the incredible work these young people are doing. I interviewed four of them, and heard stories of many more whose careers have been shaped by this opportunity. 

We didn’t make it to Los Amigos this time; that will be for another trip. But the message was clear: protecting these ecosystems is about more than infrastructure or data; it’s about the people whose lives are intertwined with the landscapes they defend. And like water, their impact flows far beyond where it begins.