Festival of Trees
Queuña Raymi is a community-led tree planting festival in the high Andes of Peru. The goal? Plant enough Polylepis trees to save one of the world's most endangered ecosystems.
Gnarled Forest (2021) by Acción Andina Global Forest Generation
Polylepis Forests
Across the South American Andes, Queuña (Quechua for Polylepis) forests play a vital role in ensuring glacial melt and water vapor are captured in their watersheds. Growing at an altitude of up to 5,000m (16,400ft), these native trees are the world's highest forests.
Mossy Ground (2021) by Acción Andina Global Forest Generation
Centuries of Threats
Over the last few centuries, Polylepis trees have become endangered, mostly due to deforestation and grazing. Without this special forest ecosystem, climate change threatens future water security for millions of people in low-lying towns and cities.
Climate Impact
As communities watch mountain glaciers rapidly disappear, they are acutely aware of climate change and the impact it poses to their way of life.
If glacial meltwater is no longer a reliable resource, Polylepis trees will prove even more critical in water management strategies.
Hope Grows
A pan-Andean initiative, Acción Andina, is restoring high Andean landscapes, bringing together local leaders and communities to plant millions of Polylepis trees over the coming years.
Its founding was inspired by the reforestation festival Queuña Raymi.
Getting Ready for the Tree Planting Festival (2024-03) by Michell León Fotografía y Naturaleza Global Forest Generation
The Festival Begins
Queuña Raymi was inspired by nonprofit ECOAN to connect people to conservation through their cultural heritage. Inca descendants celebrate Pachamama - Mother Earth. They give thanks to the Polylepis trees and the mountains that ensure future generations have water.
Mother and Child (2021) by Acción Andina Global Forest Generation
Uniting Generations
Numerous villages come together with the goal of planting tens of thousands of trees in a single day. Everyone, from children to elders, participate in the festival.
Forest Ecosystem (2021) by Acción Andina Global Forest Generation
Nourishing Trees
Seeds and cuttings are collected in nearby forests, where they are nourished for more than nine months in nurseries before growing into viable saplings. When mature, saplings are collected and bundled to be planted on the mountainsides.
Community Effort (2021) by Acción Andina Global Forest Generation
Long Journey
Every year, communities come together to decide which villages and watersheds will benefit from the annual planting. The saplings are carried over narrow bridges and up steep terrain, to arrive at the planting sites.
'Ayni' & 'Minka' Tradition
Acción Andina's communities, comprising many local and indigenous people across the Andes of South America, practice the ancient tradition of 'Ayni' and 'Minki' - shared community service for mutual benefit. Ayni and Minka are what make Queuña Raymi possible.
Digging Deep (2024-03) by Michell León Fotografía y Naturaleza Global Forest Generation
Dirt & Grit
The natural habitat of a Polylepis tree is steep, rocky, and unforgiving mountain terrain. Simply getting to the planting site is a feat in of itself. Nothing short of hard physical labor can dig the holes needed for so many saplings.
Polylepis Sapling Nursery (2021) by Acción Andina Global Forest Generation
Staying Grounded
In addition to storing water and carbon, Polylepis forests prevent soil erosion and flooding, which enables indigenous communities to continue sustainable farming on their ancestral lands and to preserve their cultures.
Last Rays Global Forest Generation
Slow & Steady
Polylepis trees are also one of the slowest growing species in the world, and can take up to 100 years to reach half an inch in diameter, depending on the environment. Many years from now, the local people hope their children will see mountain slopes covered in native forests.
Seeding the Future (2022-03) by Acción Andina (Fundación de Actividades Biosféricas) Global Forest Generation
Seeding the Future
It takes patience, knowledge, and financing to grow native forests while championing a new generation of leaders that amplify the efforts of those who came before. Large-scale restoration is only possible with continued investment in grassroots conservation movements.
Generations of Supporters (2024-03) by Michell León Fotografía y Naturaleza Global Forest Generation
Help Us Grow
As this tree planting festival continues to grow every year, the Acción Andina initiative is also scaling up reforestation projects across the greater Andes. However, they cannot succeed without ongoing support. Learn how to get involved !
Learn more about Acción Andina :
https://accion-andina.org/
Acción Andina is a joint forest restoration initiative founded by Global Forest Generation
(GFG) and our Peruvian partner Asociación
Ecosistemas Andinos
(ECOAN).
Global Forest Generation (GFG) is committed to fostering a world where remaining forests are protected and critical forest ecosystems are restored – a world where local leaders and communities have the support required for enduring forest conservation. We achieve this by building large-scale restoration partnerships that bring together local communities to deliver long-term, climate, biodiversity, and on-the-ground community benefits. We believe in empowering grassroots projects and investing in the local leaders who will champion the next generation of forest stewards.
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