The TiNis, spaces where love for nature is forged from childhood onwards

They were born in Amazonas and, as their name suggests, are represented by children committed to nature. These are two Lands of Girls, Boys, and Youth (TiNis): “The Wonderful TiNi of Palmira” and “The Children’s Natural Paradise”, located in Palmira and Cocachimba, respectively. Both spaces were created by local organizations in collaboration with Conservamos por la Naturaleza, an initiative of the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA), which supports voluntary conservation initiatives and engages more people in caring for nature.

“The Wonderful TiNi of Palmira” was inaugurated in July 2022, in coordination with the Palmira Agricultural, Forestry and Tourism Association (Afotur). Fifteen children from this community, located in the district of Leymebamba, province of Chachapoyas, took on the commitment to care for this space and to grow as future local leaders. The ceremony was part of a regional gathering called “Amazonía Late”, which brought together volunteer conservationists from Amazonas, Cajamarca, and Piura.

A month later, in August 2022, the Cocachimba Environmental Committee, together with Conservamos por la Naturaleza, inaugurated the TiNi “Children’s Natural Paradise”. In this space, located in the district of Valera, province of Bongará, over 30 children can grow native plant species, attend workshops, and spend their free time on activities that help strengthen their commitment to nature—becoming the new generation of conservationists, specifically for this region of the Waterfall Valley.

Regarding the TiNis, it is a methodology promoted by the organization Ania, which aims to bring children closer to nature and empower them as agents of change for sustainable development. TiNis can be implemented not only in communities but also at home, in schools, neighborhoods, and more. The goal is for environmental education to become a part of their lives from a very early age, helping to shape adults with greater sensitivity toward nature.

UNESCO has recognized the TiNis as an excellent practice, which is also being promoted in countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Canada, Japan, and India. In the case of Conservamos por la Naturaleza, the objective is to continue promoting environmental education among children, considering the rich biodiversity of our country and the important contribution this will represent in the future for a State striving to combat issues such as deforestation, illegal mining, and more.