Restoring Land, Preserving Wisdom, Cultivating Healing

OUR PROJECTS

Stage One

Experimental Plots

Establishing a tall canopy of native hardwood trees and a nursery of trees and lianas

In January 2024, we established a 50m x 50m experimental plot with over 400 new trees. This plot is thriving, providing valuable data on growth rates, species-specific resistance to flooding, and the effects of soil amendments, light, and watering. These insights are guiding our methods as we expand the project.

A small nursery was set up to germinate seeds and propagate cuttings for teacher plants and companion trees. The canopy of native hardwood trees supports lianas, regenerates soil, encourages smaller plants, and attracts wildlife.

Building on the success of the experimental plot, we are preparing a new 1-hectare plot for planting in January 2025—four times the size of the initial area. This expansion will scale reforestation and biodiversity efforts.

Our approach ensures trees and vines are well-supported, fostering a symbiotic relationship that maximizes growth, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration.

Experimental techniques include growing níshi vines laterally along trees until they’re tall enough to support them, ensuring strong root systems, and maximizing survival rates.

Stage Two

Expansion

Building a Sustainable Foundation

Pacha Nishi’s expansion is centered on creating a home base that will support long-term operations and further our mission to restore degraded Amazonian lands, cultivate medicinal plants, and preserve Shipibo-Konibo traditions. The new property will serve as a central hub for reforestation efforts, research, and community collaboration.

Planned Developments:

  • Home Base Establishment: The property will provide a dedicated space for managing reforestation, maintaining nurseries, and hosting workshops and gatherings.

  • Infrastructure Improvements: Plans include digging a well for reliable water access, upgrading existing facilities for housing and workspaces, and installing solar panels to generate renewable electricity.

  • Processing Facility: This will enable on-site preparation of medicinal plants, including óni (ayahuasca brew), supporting both research and sustainable production.

Educational and Cultural Exchange:
In partnership with Dr. Michael Coe’s graduate program at Tarleton State University in Texas, Shipibo youth involved in Pacha Nishi’s projects will have opportunities to pursue advanced academic degrees. This initiative aims to bridge traditional Indigenous knowledge with academic expertise, empowering the next generation to contribute to conservation and cultural preservation.

Revenue Streams:
The property includes productive cacao trees, providing an immediate source of income. Additional revenue streams will include:

  • Selling propagated plants and tree saplings to support regional reforestation.

  • Processing and selling óni and other plant-based medicines.

  • Offering eco-tours and educational programs focused on the forest and Shipibo-Konibo traditions.

These developments are designed to help Pacha Nishi reach financial sustainability within five years, ensuring long-term support for the project’s goals. The expansion also lays the groundwork for replicating this model across other degraded lands in the region.

This next phase of Pacha Nishi’s journey reflects a commitment to ecological restoration, cultural preservation, and creating economic opportunities that benefit local communities and the environment alike.

Sharing findings and developing a replicable model for other properties in the region

With sufficient data collected, we will share our findings with the broader community locally and regionally and also make data available to the academic community. Our findings will help us to establish (and continue to refine over time) a replicable model for other properties aiming to restore degraded lands and establish a viable economic alternative to deforestation of Amazonian lands for monocultures of palm oil production, logging, etc. to utilize their land for the cultivation of traditional medicines in a healthy and diverse forest. 

At this stage, we will also begin production of óni with plants grown at Jakon Rate. Funds from this collaboration will be transparently reinvested into the Pacha Nishi initiative along with additional funding from international reforestation grants, national subsidies, and other contributions from private donors that will make it possible to help foster project success and the opportunity to begin scaling the project to meet growing demands. We aspire to offer reforestation guidance, resources, and direct support as we begin planting tens of thousands of new trees, lianas, and companion plants to restore soil on degraded lands and establish long-term sustainable sources of medicine benefitting landowners and Indigenous Shipibo-Konibo communities.

Stage Three

Models for the future

Why it Matters

The Amazon is not just the world’s lungs—it’s a living network of culture, medicine, and biodiversity essential to our planet’s survival. Supporting Pacha Nishi means restoring forests, empowering Indigenous communities, and preserving ancient wisdom for future generations.

Be part of the solution—help us grow a sustainable future.