Fundación Moisés Bertoni

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IMPACT PROMISE

Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact

Appeal Snapshot

Partner:

Fundación Moisés Bertoni

Location:
Paraguay, Latin America
Category:
  • Education
  • Ecotourism
  • Protected Area Management
Urgent Appeals:

None currently

Date Founded:

1988

Website:

www.mbertoni.org.py

Partner Qualifications:
  • IUCN Member
    A distinguished Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. IUCN Members are each vetted and voted on based on an independent, rigorous assessment and external references. Learn More
  • Legally Constituted
    This organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin.

About Fundación Moisés Bertoni

The Fundación Moisés Bertoni is an environmental conservation non-profit organization that works to protect the natural resources of Paraguay.

Their mission is to create innovative solutions for sustainable development through nature conservation and social responsibility, encouraging the active participation of the locals of Paraguay.

They specialize in sustainable development and protect two private natural reserves: The Mbaracayú Natural Forest Reserve, the largest continuous remnant of the Interior Atlantic Forest in Paraguay, located in the department of Canindeyu, and the Tapyta Nature Private Reserve, located in the department of Caazapa.

The foundation focuses on promoting environmental, social, and economic development in an effort to overcome the dominant paradigm of conservation as something separate from human activity.

Their Challenges

The Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve constitutes one of the last large remnants of primary forest in the Eastern Region of Paraguay at 160,000 acres in size, but more than 80% of the original forest cover has been deforested in recent decades.  This forest contains two ecosystems of high conservation priority: the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest (BAAPA) and the Cerrado.  It also contains the core area of the first Paraguayan Biosphere Reserve, internationally recognized by UNESCO in 2000.  The conservation of the Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve and its biodiversity is absolutely critical, but it has been weakened by extreme climate events such as droughts, forest fires, as well as the advancement of illegal marijuana cultivation and poaching.

Similarly, the 11,700 acre Tapyta Reserve serves as a biological connectivity corridor between the Caazapa National Park and the Managed Resources Reserve, Serranía San Rafael, both of which are owned by the state.  

Their Approach

The foundation places a strong emphasis on environmental education and in 2009, they opened the Mbaracayú Educational Center, a boarding school for indigenous and rural girls ages 15 to 18 inside the Mbaracayú Nature Forest Reserve.

The mission of the school is to transform low-income young girls into powerful agents of sustainable development by providing quality education and a technical degree in environmental sciences.

In order to support the school, the Mbaracayú Lodge was established in the Mbaracayú Nature Forest Reserve, an ecolodge that provides tourists with the opportunity to experience the treasures of the Mbaracayú through delicious, local food and an incredible range of eco-adventures, such as trekking, kayaking, and getting to know the indigenous culture, all while ensuring a sustainable stream of income for the girls' school.

Moisés Bertoni has many additional conservation projects, including their work in the areas surrounding the Reserves to improve their quality of living and economic opportunities for local people, thus reducing the need for reliance on natural resources from the forests.

Why They Need Your Help

Only with donations from the public is Moisés Bertoni able to continue to protect the Paraguayan forests.  They are seeking support to improve their ecotourism program, expand environmental educational projects in the Mbaracayu Nature Forest and the Tapyta Nature Private Reserve, and continue their sustainable development projects with the Ache and Mbya indigenous communities.

Conservation Allies charges no overhead fees or administration costs, meaning 100% of your donation goes directly to Fundación Moisés Bertoni.  All donations made from the United States are fully tax-deductible.