Our mission is to create a growing and sustainable source of óni (ayahuasca brew) and other medicinal plants that provide opportunities for healing and living in balance with the planet. Our values are rooted in reciprocity with the jakón néte (the essence of creation), restoring healthy forests, supporting the cultural resilience of Indigenous lineage, and the continuity of ancient healing practices.
What We Do
In 2023, in partnership with Jakon Rate, we began an ambitious new initiative that launched in January 2024. Like many hundreds of thousands of hectares in the Peruvian Amazon Basin, the land we steward has experienced clearing at some point in the past century.
Subsequently, much of the forest consists of dense bamboo, heliconia, and other potentially invasive species with very few tall hardwood trees. As our community develops trails, establishes gardens, and lives with the land we see gradual changes to the ecosystem but our vision is to accelerate the regeneration of native diversity and cultivate the sacred medicines for a sustainable future, for the Jakon Rate community, for surrounding Shipibo-Konibo communities, and for the planet.
Guided by Shipibo-Konibo elders, supported by academic and ecological expertise, and driven by community-led solutions, our work aims to balance tradition and innovation to cultivate a thriving forest ecosystem abundant with sacred medicines, wildlife, healthy soil, and create opportunities to restore a symbiotic and sustainable relationship between the land and the people.
Our Team
United by our shared commitment for a sustainable planet
The Pacha Nishi team brings together the ancestral knowledge of Shipibo-Konibo forest management and modern scientific expertise in ecology and sustainable agriculture. This unique combination allows us to integrate traditional wisdom with innovative, data-driven approaches. United by a commitment to learning and collaboration, restoring biodiversity, cultivating healing plants, and creating sustainable solutions for the Amazonian ecosystem.
Marcos Urquia Mayans
Director of Operations
Naturalist and Agroforestry Specialist
Marcos brings decades of experience working with plants and trees to the Pacha Nishi project. He manages planting, watering, and maintenance and oversees and educates our crew of Shipibo workers who are learning traditional and contemporary methods of forest management.
Adam Shaening Pokrasso
Founder and Executive Director
Entrepreneur and Filmmaker
Adam focuses on overarching strategy, scaling initiatives, and securing resources to expand the project’s impact. Inspired by his vision to secure a sustainable source of medicine for future generations, reforest the Amazon, and create economic opportunities for Shipibo-Konibo communities, Adam’s leadership bridges innovation and tradition to restore ecosystems and cultivate reciprocity.
Liz Melendez Rengifo
Financial Director
Agricultural Sciences
Liz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences and brings a strong background in nonprofit management to her role. As our Finance Manager, she ensures the efficient allocation of funds to support our reforestation and conservation goals. With her expertise in agriculture and financial oversight, Liz plays a vital role in driving the project’s sustainability and success.
Michael Coe, PhD
Director of Research and Education
Ethnobiologist, Ecology, Conservation Biology and Assistant Professor
Michael Coe is an ethnobotanist with a PhD in Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation Biology. As an Assistant Professor, his research focuses on the relationships between plants (specifically níshi lianas), ecosystems, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Passionate about biodiversity and sustainable land use, Michael brings a scientific perspective to our efforts, helping integrate ecological research with traditional practices.
Bernaldo Barbaran
Lead Builder and Medicine Specialist
Construction, Infrastructure, and Project Management
Bernaldo oversees the development of essential infrastructure at Pacha Nishi, including construction, water systems, and the processing facility. With extensive experience in building and project management, he ensures that the site is functional, efficient, and well-equipped to support reforestation efforts and plant cultivation. His expertise also extends to processing and preparing medicinal plants, making him a key figure in developing sustainable systems for the project’s long-term success.
Jakón Néte
The life-giving good essence of creation
Some Shipibo-Konibo elders mention that 200,000 years ago marked an epoch in history where their ancestors first began the samá (plant diet) tradition with teacher plants. Since then, for countless generations the onánti ráo (teacher plants) have continued to guide their communities. Despite political, economic, cultural, and environmental pressures, the path and wisdom imparted between student and teacher guided by the master teacher plants are experiencing a real renaissance. We are calling on support from this deep lineage of ancestors and teachers to guide this work as we continue to seek alignment with the jakón néte – the space-time energy of the good life-giving essence of creation – to bring about true harmony and balance of life on our earth.
