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Peaks to Coast

TMI is working to strengthen adaptation capabilities and to reduce the  vulnerability of mountain communities to climate change.  In partnering with six hundred rural Peruvian municipalities, TMI is facilitating the application of scientific research on climate change, improving the capacities of rural mountain municipalities and communities to produce adaption plans to climate change, and developing ecosystem conservation strategies.

TMI is currently cooperating with two significant lowland groups that depend on mountain water for the sustainability of their agricultural export economies.  These are coastal regions (located in Ancash and Piura ) are sustained by a dynamic export economy.  Ancash uses the Chavimochic irrigation scheme to use water from the Santa River fed by Cordillera Blanca glaciers to irrigate five coastal valleys; Piura uses irrigation which depends on the páramo to retain and regulate water flow to the lowlands.  These lowland economic groups are further working to develop mechanisms to support conservation of mountain areas that are important sources of water for their economies and livelihoods.

In partnership with World Conservation Union  and Abertis Corporation, TMI Protected Areas and Ecotourism Specialist Miriam Torres created an introductory book on Ancestral Roads and Biodiversity Conservation and has presented the initiative to local policy makers in mountain regions.  In addition to the book, a traveling exhibit was set up in the Huascaran National Park headquarters; the exhibition is scheduled to travel to other Inca Road sites to create awareness of the initiative's potential for biodiversity and cultural conservation of Andean heritage.

TMI is currently focusing on improving the capacity of mountain communities and their local authorities to decrease their vulnerability to climate changes, as well as improve their current adaption strategies.  In hand with this, TMI is helping communities develop strategies to improve their local management of mountain ecosystems and further their  understanding of the land, helping them to conduct a economic and ecologic zoning plan.   Exciting progress is seen through the creation of the Quenual forest community Private Conservation Area. The community has taken this step as a way to protect their water resources amid dramatic climatic shifts.