Almost gone but not lost, these forests serve as water reservoirs for communities, habitat for wildlife and biodiversity, and ensure the functionality of the entire Amazon.

Growing at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters, Polylepis forests are a significant origin of the flow of water into the headwaters of the Amazon.

Crucial to fighting climate change, they absorb mist from clouds, transforming dry, eroded landscapes into wetlands and habitat for threatened species.

Due to decades-long deforestation for fuel-wood and grazing, only 500,000 hectares remain across the Andes. Now communities are coming together to bring them back.

Be part of the movement. Support restoring of high Andes woodlands:

Plant trees and store water for food