Shipibo Regenerative Future Initiative
Indigenous knowledge, ecological research and economic innovation are coming together in the Peruvian Amazon to build forest economies, where growing food and medicine regenerates the forest.
This is work that sustains Indigenous cultures and livelihoods, protects the climate, and lets communities engage global markets on their own terms.
We are raising $250,000 for land, essential infrastructure and early operations, to give Pacha Nishi, an Indigenous-led organization in the Peruvian Amazon, a permanent home.
How the work fits together
Healthy forests support food, medicine and community life. Each part of this work holds up the others.
Pacha Nishi cultivates native species to restore biodiversity, improve soil health, store carbon, and support animal and fungal life.
Apprenticeships give cultural learning a continuing place in daily practice, so knowledge passes between generations on the land itself rather than away from it.
Soil and plant research refines the practice season by season, and turns field experience into methods that can be taught and shared.
The aim is to sustain the people and the places behind medicines and knowledge that are valued far beyond the Amazon.
The work has already begun
- Two agroforestry plots
- A medicinal-plant garden
- An initial apprenticeship
- Ongoing soil and plant research
What your gift makes possible
Land
A permanent base for restoration, cultivation, research and learning, held for the long term rather than season by season.
Essential infrastructure
The facilities and systems the daily work depends on, from the nursery to water and power.
Early operations
Paid local roles, maintenance and coordination, so the work continues between planting seasons.
Together these build a working forest economy: one that can sustain the people who tend it, and produce methods other Amazonian communities could adapt to their own land and priorities.
People behind the work
Land stewardship, science, construction, finance and communications, held by a small team working across two countries.
Marcos Urquia Maynas
A naturalist and agroforestry specialist who leads planting, land stewardship and hands-on education.
Liz Melendez Rengifo
Trained in the agricultural sciences, with experience in nonprofit management.
Bernaldo Barbaran
Construction, water systems, project management and medicinal-plant processing.
Michael Coe, PhD
An ethnobiologist and assistant professor at Tarleton State University, studying medicinal plants, biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge.
Adam Shaening Pokrasso
A filmmaker and entrepreneur supporting strategy, communications and resource development.
Join us for dinner
A small gathering over dinner, where you can meet the people behind the initiative and ask the questions a page cannot answer. Mary Olivar will host the conversation.
There is no expectation of a donation to attend. Space is limited, so please RSVP by September 29.
Contribute your expertise
We are forming an advisory circle for the scientific, practical and economic questions ahead. If you have relevant experience, or you know someone who does, we would like to hear from you.
Talk with Adam
If you would like to understand the initiative in more depth, talk through a gift, or explore where your own work might connect, find a time that suits you.
Pacha Nishi leads the work in Peru. Jakon Nete supports the initiative and receives donations in the United States.
Jakon Nete is a registered 501(c)(3) faith-based organization. EIN 33-4200906.
Charitable contributions to Jakon Nete are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.