We're celebrating our partnership with mountain communities in Campanayoc, (Ancash region) Peru, by inaugurating the bioremediation system built to purify water flowing through the Shallap-Huapish-Toclla canal. An unexpected side effect of melting glaciers in this region is water pollution from exposed rocks. Meltwater carries metals, such as lead and iron, from the rocks into area waterways.  Built by locals using mostly local materials, this efficient system of ponds and artificial wetlands combines the best of traditional knowledge and modern science to greatly reduce levels of minerals in the water. This TMI-Andes pilot project  will benefit over 2,000 people who use the canal water for drinking and irrigating crops in Campanayoc, Macashca, Quinchu, Pukaventana, Queral, Rataquenua and Los Pinos, among other sectors. Thanks to all who helped make this dream a reality! More pics on TMI Facebook.

 

Breaking the "cántaros" (pitchers) to inaugurate the new system.

The TMI-Andes team has been working on high mountain peatlands ( punas) conservation and recently hosted a group of 11 researchers from Colorado State University, University of Texas at Austin and Michigan Technological University. With funding from a National Science Foundation Grant our team will study "human-nature coupled systems" in the alpine territories of Huascarán National Park and its buffer zone. This group spent a week in the alpine grazing lands of the Community of Cordillera Blanca and three days in the alpine valley of Ulta. Our goal is to understand how best to conserve peatlands because they are critical to water security in these mountains. Peatlands retain water like a sponge and are particularly important as Andean glaciers continue to disappear. 

Researchers in alpine grazing lands of Cordillera Blanca.