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Peru
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Description From Harold Jacobs:
New Zealand Government's involvement in the management of Peru's Conservation areas came about by chance. In 1974 the New Zealand Government wanted to extend trade and aid interests in South America. Initially Chile was chosen as a suitable base, however due to the downfall of the Allende Government Peru was then considered. Some Peruvian government agriculture and forestry representatives were invited to New Zealand to discuss how we could assist them. During their tour they were so impressed with a visit to Tongariro National Park that they asked for help in managing their conservation areas.
Bing Lucas, the first Director of New Zealand National Parks and Reserves, toured some of Peru's National Parks and Reserves. Their national conservation system was in its infancy and included only 13 National Parks and National Reserves and they were stunning areas. Bing decided to base the project in Lima and focus on establishing two model National Reserves nearby, Paracas and Lomas de Lachay. This would benefit many people including some experienced staff at the Central Office. Both Reserves were newly created and had only a few small buildings to house staff. The field staff had direction and guidance to manage the Reserves.
Harold Jacobs started the project in 1975 and stayed for 2 years. He was followed by Pat Sheridan.
After a follow-up visit in 1994 Pat writes:
Fourteen years later in 1994 1 returned and was pleasantly surprised at the progress of conservation and the affects of our past inputs. Many staff we were previously associated with left the department but are now prominent with independent conservation organisations. They all speak highly and fondly of the New Zealand input. We obviously were considerable contributors to setting some standards and a framework from which a new conservation department grew.
Still in place and well maintained are most of the signs, interpretive panels, tracks, guard posts and picnic facilities that were put in place by the project. When I left at the project's end I had visions of the wooden facilities being chopped up for much needed firewood. Not to be.
La Molina University has feared better through an extremely unstable period which has continued since the project's end and only now showing signs of abating. Most of the staff we were involved with still remain and are now taking leading roles in the advancement of
new conservation projects. Dr Augusto Tovar, who was one of the recipients of a New Zealand scholarship, is now on an advisory committee that responds on natural, cultural and environmental matters reporting directly to Peru's president.
The slide projector and overhead projector the project donated to La Molina are still the most valued teaching aids used there.
What gave me the greatest thrill was hearing that two of the guards we coaxed, trained and encouraged in what appeared to be hopeless circumstances have put themselves through university. They are now effective at a higher level in charge of some units. One is temporarily on leave to train in America.
New Zealand Government's involvement in the management of Peru's Conservation areas came about by chance. In 1974 the New Zealand Government wanted to extend trade and aid interests in South America. Initially Chile was chosen as a suitable base, however due to the downfall of the Allende Government Peru was then considered. Some Peruvian government agriculture and forestry representatives were invited to New Zealand to discuss how we could assist them. During their tour they were so impressed with a visit to Tongariro National Park that they asked for help in managing their conservation areas.
Bing Lucas, the first Director of New Zealand National Parks and Reserves, toured some of Peru's National Parks and Reserves. Their national conservation system was in its infancy and included only 13 National Parks and National Reserves and they were stunning areas. Bing decided to base the project in Lima and focus on establishing two model National Reserves nearby, Paracas and Lomas de Lachay. This would benefit many people including some experienced staff at the Central Office. Both Reserves were newly created and had only a few small buildings to house staff. The field staff had direction and guidance to manage the Reserves.
Harold Jacobs started the project in 1975 and stayed for 2 years. He was followed by Pat Sheridan.
After a follow-up visit in 1994 Pat writes:
Fourteen years later in 1994 1 returned and was pleasantly surprised at the progress of conservation and the affects of our past inputs. Many staff we were previously associated with left the department but are now prominent with independent conservation organisations. They all speak highly and fondly of the New Zealand input. We obviously were considerable contributors to setting some standards and a framework from which a new conservation department grew.
Still in place and well maintained are most of the signs, interpretive panels, tracks, guard posts and picnic facilities that were put in place by the project. When I left at the project's end I had visions of the wooden facilities being chopped up for much needed firewood. Not to be.
La Molina University has feared better through an extremely unstable period which has continued since the project's end and only now showing signs of abating. Most of the staff we were involved with still remain and are now taking leading roles in the advancement of
new conservation projects. Dr Augusto Tovar, who was one of the recipients of a New Zealand scholarship, is now on an advisory committee that responds on natural, cultural and environmental matters reporting directly to Peru's president.
The slide projector and overhead projector the project donated to La Molina are still the most valued teaching aids used there.
What gave me the greatest thrill was hearing that two of the guards we coaxed, trained and encouraged in what appeared to be hopeless circumstances have put themselves through university. They are now effective at a higher level in charge of some units. One is temporarily on leave to train in America.
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Peru. National Parks and Reserves Rangers Archive, accessed 21/03/2026, https://parkrangersnz.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/505