Peaceful NATURE Named Model RESERVE
The Peaceful Nature Wildlife Reserve has been named the Model Wildlife Reserve in Nicaragua for 2024! This is a major achievement and recognition of all of our hard work to preserve the natural environment, promote environmental education and organic farming and to support the local community.
As a further confirmation of the success of our conservation work, Peaceful Nature was recently invited to participate in the national "Nicaragua Linda Contest". The Nicaragua Linda Contest is aimed at private reserves, farms or entrepreneurs who develop or propose initiatives focused on environmental sustainability and the responsable use of resources. We feel honored to participate in a competition among national initiatives that are working to protect the environment and develop the responsable use of natural resources.
Below, please find part of the written portion of the Nicaragua Linda contest. It is a good summary of the Peaceful Nature Reserve.
We are managing the Peaceful Nature Reserve sustainably and organically, using agroecology and regenerative agriculture practices with a focus on protecting the forest, soil, and water. The practices we now call agroecology and regenerative agriculture were used by the indigenous inhabitants of the American continent 10,000 years ago to eat healthily, ensuring food for their families. We want to remember and inspire the descendants of the original peoples to return to their original agricultural practices that mimic the forest and natural productive ecosystems and produced healthier food while protecting the environment. We know that by caring for the environment, we are also improving biodiversity and ecosystem balance. By having a healthy ecosystem, we can also improve and diversify production.
How do we protect the environment (forest, soil, and water)?
Forest Protection: We are leaving the coffee plantation forest in its natural state, allowing a variety of native trees and plants to grow naturally without clearing and performing minimal pruning of the stalks. Likewise, all dry leaves and branches remain on the soil to protect it and provide a breeding ground for microorganisms. Vegetable, grass, and staple grain crops also include shrubs, fruit trees, and shade trees, utilizing agroforestry and silvopastoral systems.
Soil Protection: Throughout the farm, we practice agroecology and regenerative agriculture, which seek to restore and improve soils, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the relationship with living beings, while increasing production. Regenerative agriculture has these fundamental principles that improve the soil: 1) a continuous regenerative approach: always have something planted 2) zero or minimal tillage: do not disturb the soil 3) plant diverse plants in a single area 4) conserve living roots: do not uproot plants 5) use contour lines, windbreaks, infiltration ditches, crop rotation, mulches, green manures, and biofertilizers.
Water Protection: Caring for the forest is essential for protecting water, as trees filter water, prevent erosion and evaporation, and recharge groundwater. Forests also increase humidity levels in the air and release water vapor, which contributes to cloud formation and precipitation. Regenerative agriculture practices include the use of infiltration ditches, which help conserve and collect rainwater, and the use of living barriers to protect the soil and prevent erosion and rainwater loss.
The Reserve has two natural pools that use an air pump to maintain an oxygenation system and aquatic plant biofilters that allow nature to provide clean water. The vibrant ecology of plants and animals conditions the water, so there is no need for any chemicals. The pool is healthy for people and wildlife. The pools are complete ecosystems that attract and provide clean water for many species to the reserve, such as pipi menhaden, birds, butterflies, bees, and frogs. The pool is over two and a half years old and the water has never been changed; it is kept clean without the use of chemicals.
The water from the house and the cafeteria is reused to irrigate the vegetable and flower garden. The coffee is processed using the "honey" coffee method: the coffee is not washed, but rather dried with all the honey, avoiding waste and water pollution.
As a further confirmation of the success of our conservation work, Peaceful Nature was recently invited to participate in the national "Nicaragua Linda Contest". The Nicaragua Linda Contest is aimed at private reserves, farms or entrepreneurs who develop or propose initiatives focused on environmental sustainability and the responsable use of resources. We feel honored to participate in a competition among national initiatives that are working to protect the environment and develop the responsable use of natural resources.
Below, please find part of the written portion of the Nicaragua Linda contest. It is a good summary of the Peaceful Nature Reserve.
We are managing the Peaceful Nature Reserve sustainably and organically, using agroecology and regenerative agriculture practices with a focus on protecting the forest, soil, and water. The practices we now call agroecology and regenerative agriculture were used by the indigenous inhabitants of the American continent 10,000 years ago to eat healthily, ensuring food for their families. We want to remember and inspire the descendants of the original peoples to return to their original agricultural practices that mimic the forest and natural productive ecosystems and produced healthier food while protecting the environment. We know that by caring for the environment, we are also improving biodiversity and ecosystem balance. By having a healthy ecosystem, we can also improve and diversify production.
How do we protect the environment (forest, soil, and water)?
Forest Protection: We are leaving the coffee plantation forest in its natural state, allowing a variety of native trees and plants to grow naturally without clearing and performing minimal pruning of the stalks. Likewise, all dry leaves and branches remain on the soil to protect it and provide a breeding ground for microorganisms. Vegetable, grass, and staple grain crops also include shrubs, fruit trees, and shade trees, utilizing agroforestry and silvopastoral systems.
Soil Protection: Throughout the farm, we practice agroecology and regenerative agriculture, which seek to restore and improve soils, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the relationship with living beings, while increasing production. Regenerative agriculture has these fundamental principles that improve the soil: 1) a continuous regenerative approach: always have something planted 2) zero or minimal tillage: do not disturb the soil 3) plant diverse plants in a single area 4) conserve living roots: do not uproot plants 5) use contour lines, windbreaks, infiltration ditches, crop rotation, mulches, green manures, and biofertilizers.
Water Protection: Caring for the forest is essential for protecting water, as trees filter water, prevent erosion and evaporation, and recharge groundwater. Forests also increase humidity levels in the air and release water vapor, which contributes to cloud formation and precipitation. Regenerative agriculture practices include the use of infiltration ditches, which help conserve and collect rainwater, and the use of living barriers to protect the soil and prevent erosion and rainwater loss.
The Reserve has two natural pools that use an air pump to maintain an oxygenation system and aquatic plant biofilters that allow nature to provide clean water. The vibrant ecology of plants and animals conditions the water, so there is no need for any chemicals. The pool is healthy for people and wildlife. The pools are complete ecosystems that attract and provide clean water for many species to the reserve, such as pipi menhaden, birds, butterflies, bees, and frogs. The pool is over two and a half years old and the water has never been changed; it is kept clean without the use of chemicals.
The water from the house and the cafeteria is reused to irrigate the vegetable and flower garden. The coffee is processed using the "honey" coffee method: the coffee is not washed, but rather dried with all the honey, avoiding waste and water pollution.
By protecting the forest, water, and soil, we are recovering vital ecosystem processes and improving biodiversity such as pollinators, decomposers, biological controllers, birds, mammals, and native species. By having a healthy ecosystem, we can also improve and diversify production.
These are the various sustainably processed products we offer:
1) Organic shade-grown coffee: a quality shade-grown coffee. We also offer flavored coffees—vanilla, cocoa, and cinnamon. Coffee from the farm is used to prepare the cafeteria's drinks. 2) Honey, propolis, and pollen from native bees: We have native bee hives that produce honey that is purer and more medicinal than other bees. 3) Vegetables: We have a family garden where we grow tomatoes, chilies, oregano, basil, spinach, sweet potatoes and yams, bell peppers, scallions, etc. 4) Turmeric and Ginger: The rich soil allows us to plant turmeric and ginger. 5) Plantains and bananas 6) Fruit trees: We have citrus and other varieties of fruit trees, 7) Vanilla: vanilla plants are used to make vanilla coffee. 8) Cacao: Cacao is used to make cacao coffee. 9) Native plants, yams, cherry tomatoes, medicinal herbs. 10) Mountain microorganisms: We have a wide variety of microorganisms in the soil, which we use to make fertilizers. 11) Maya Nut: We have 12 Maya Nut trees that produce a large amount of nutritious seeds. Maya Nut is recognized as one of the most nutritious seeds. We dry, roast, and grind the seeds to make flour, which can be used to prepare drinks and meals. 12) Milk production from 3 cows
Recycling, waste, and value-added products:
1) Biogas: Cow manure is used in the biodigester to produce gas for cooking in the cafeteria. The biodigester is a system that allows the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter such as plant waste and animal manure, releasing gases that can be used for cooking or generating electricity. In addition to producing biogas, the biodigester also produces a liquid and a solid byproduct. 2) Biol: The liquid byproduct of the biodigester is used as foliar fertilizer. 3) Vermicompost: The solid byproduct of the biodigester is used to feed earthworms, which transform it into vermicompost, one of the best fertilizers. 4) Worms: The earthworms transform cow dung and other organic waste into humus, a very high-quality organic fertilizer. 5) Coffee pulp: We are using coffee pulp to make wine. The pulp not used for winemaking is dehydrated to obtain "cascara," which is used to make tea and infusions. Coffee wine and tea are not only delicious, but also very nutritious: they contain proteins, minerals, and antioxidants. 6) Coffee grounds: We are reusing the coffee grounds to make a face mask with coffee and honey from native bees.
We have a coffee greenhouse that also functions as a solar dehydrator. We not only dry coffee, but also ojoche seeds, beans and corn, turmeric, vegetables, herbs, and fruits. With the dehydrator, we prevent losses due to rot and can extend the shelf life of the products. Dried products we offer: 1) Turmeric: grated, dried, and ground turmeric. 2) Chile: dried chile. 3) Moringa: dried and ground moringa leaves.
These are the various sustainably processed products we offer:
1) Organic shade-grown coffee: a quality shade-grown coffee. We also offer flavored coffees—vanilla, cocoa, and cinnamon. Coffee from the farm is used to prepare the cafeteria's drinks. 2) Honey, propolis, and pollen from native bees: We have native bee hives that produce honey that is purer and more medicinal than other bees. 3) Vegetables: We have a family garden where we grow tomatoes, chilies, oregano, basil, spinach, sweet potatoes and yams, bell peppers, scallions, etc. 4) Turmeric and Ginger: The rich soil allows us to plant turmeric and ginger. 5) Plantains and bananas 6) Fruit trees: We have citrus and other varieties of fruit trees, 7) Vanilla: vanilla plants are used to make vanilla coffee. 8) Cacao: Cacao is used to make cacao coffee. 9) Native plants, yams, cherry tomatoes, medicinal herbs. 10) Mountain microorganisms: We have a wide variety of microorganisms in the soil, which we use to make fertilizers. 11) Maya Nut: We have 12 Maya Nut trees that produce a large amount of nutritious seeds. Maya Nut is recognized as one of the most nutritious seeds. We dry, roast, and grind the seeds to make flour, which can be used to prepare drinks and meals. 12) Milk production from 3 cows
Recycling, waste, and value-added products:
1) Biogas: Cow manure is used in the biodigester to produce gas for cooking in the cafeteria. The biodigester is a system that allows the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter such as plant waste and animal manure, releasing gases that can be used for cooking or generating electricity. In addition to producing biogas, the biodigester also produces a liquid and a solid byproduct. 2) Biol: The liquid byproduct of the biodigester is used as foliar fertilizer. 3) Vermicompost: The solid byproduct of the biodigester is used to feed earthworms, which transform it into vermicompost, one of the best fertilizers. 4) Worms: The earthworms transform cow dung and other organic waste into humus, a very high-quality organic fertilizer. 5) Coffee pulp: We are using coffee pulp to make wine. The pulp not used for winemaking is dehydrated to obtain "cascara," which is used to make tea and infusions. Coffee wine and tea are not only delicious, but also very nutritious: they contain proteins, minerals, and antioxidants. 6) Coffee grounds: We are reusing the coffee grounds to make a face mask with coffee and honey from native bees.
We have a coffee greenhouse that also functions as a solar dehydrator. We not only dry coffee, but also ojoche seeds, beans and corn, turmeric, vegetables, herbs, and fruits. With the dehydrator, we prevent losses due to rot and can extend the shelf life of the products. Dried products we offer: 1) Turmeric: grated, dried, and ground turmeric. 2) Chile: dried chile. 3) Moringa: dried and ground moringa leaves.
The Reserve offers a unique tourist experience that includes a close connection with nature:
1) Cafeteria Oro Verde: In the cafeteria, we offer iced and hot coffees made with organic coffee from the reserve. We also offer coffee pulp wine and drinks and cakes made with ojoche seeds. We offer traditional meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner using products from the farm, such as fruits, vegetables, basic grains, and milk. 2) Hotel Nuez Maya: We have three rooms with private bathrooms. 3) Natural Pool: Maintained through natural processes without the use of chemicals or chlorine, it offers a relaxing swim surrounded by nature. 4) Hiking: We have three well-marked trails with informational signs about flora and fauna, regenerative agriculture, and environmental care. The trails, which cover 5 acres, offer tourists the opportunity to take self-guided tours to interpret the flora and fauna and learn about the reserve's nature and conservation initiatives. 5) Farm and Birdwatching Tours: We offer farm tours covering the 3 trails and different areas of the farm. We offer birdwatching tours with national guides equipped with professional binoculars and cameras. More than 100 birds have been identified in the reserve. We also offer tours about native bees and their importance, which includes tasting their pure, medicinal honey. 6) Camping: We have a camping area and tents with mattresses and bedding. There is also a campfire area. 7) Excursions, Retreats, and Activities: We offer reservations for church groups, schools, and institutions to organize excursions, retreats, and activities. 8) Playground: The playground features a slide, a tunnel, swings, and a suspension bridge and is made of recycled materials.
Experiential Tourism:
1) Agroecology Workshops: Learn and participate in the creation of organic fertilizers, planting, and preparation of mountain microorganisms, among others. 2) Participatory Tours: Coffee processing, coffee wine, and ojoche. Learn how to make coffee drinks, coffee wine, and coffee and honey-based face masks. 3) Art Therapy: Using arts and crafts to teach about nature and using natural objects such as leaves, seeds, and sticks to create art. 4) Forest Bathing: Connecting people directly with nature to achieve personal well-being and health benefits. This involves breathing deeply in fresh air, contemplating nature, and paying attention to the things around you. It includes hugging a tree, feeling the leaves of a plant, smelling the aromas, listening to birdsong, etc.
The Reserve is also an educational center, as we offer space for free workshops, activities, and courses on agroecology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship. We have worked with various institutions such as MARENA, INTA, INTUR, INAFOR, MIPROEMPRENDE, and MAGFOR to share workshops and activities on topics such as agroecology, pest control, environmental stewardship, organic agriculture, and organic fertilizers, among others. The reserve has also been used as a site for various INATEC courses. We also offer the reserve for visits from public schools and universities for tours, projects, and studies. Each year, we welcome several groups of students from local schools and other departments. In 2025, we have welcomed more than 1,000 students. We have a nature club made up of children and adolescents from the community, many of them residents of the reserve. The club meets once a month to learn about nature, birds, and animals, and to conduct art therapy, birdwatching tours, and participate in agroecology workshops. They learn that nature and the reserve belong to everyone, and the responsibility to care for it belongs to everyone. So the children feel like part of the reserve, and in this way, we have many little neighbors who are guardians of the reserve!
1) Cafeteria Oro Verde: In the cafeteria, we offer iced and hot coffees made with organic coffee from the reserve. We also offer coffee pulp wine and drinks and cakes made with ojoche seeds. We offer traditional meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner using products from the farm, such as fruits, vegetables, basic grains, and milk. 2) Hotel Nuez Maya: We have three rooms with private bathrooms. 3) Natural Pool: Maintained through natural processes without the use of chemicals or chlorine, it offers a relaxing swim surrounded by nature. 4) Hiking: We have three well-marked trails with informational signs about flora and fauna, regenerative agriculture, and environmental care. The trails, which cover 5 acres, offer tourists the opportunity to take self-guided tours to interpret the flora and fauna and learn about the reserve's nature and conservation initiatives. 5) Farm and Birdwatching Tours: We offer farm tours covering the 3 trails and different areas of the farm. We offer birdwatching tours with national guides equipped with professional binoculars and cameras. More than 100 birds have been identified in the reserve. We also offer tours about native bees and their importance, which includes tasting their pure, medicinal honey. 6) Camping: We have a camping area and tents with mattresses and bedding. There is also a campfire area. 7) Excursions, Retreats, and Activities: We offer reservations for church groups, schools, and institutions to organize excursions, retreats, and activities. 8) Playground: The playground features a slide, a tunnel, swings, and a suspension bridge and is made of recycled materials.
Experiential Tourism:
1) Agroecology Workshops: Learn and participate in the creation of organic fertilizers, planting, and preparation of mountain microorganisms, among others. 2) Participatory Tours: Coffee processing, coffee wine, and ojoche. Learn how to make coffee drinks, coffee wine, and coffee and honey-based face masks. 3) Art Therapy: Using arts and crafts to teach about nature and using natural objects such as leaves, seeds, and sticks to create art. 4) Forest Bathing: Connecting people directly with nature to achieve personal well-being and health benefits. This involves breathing deeply in fresh air, contemplating nature, and paying attention to the things around you. It includes hugging a tree, feeling the leaves of a plant, smelling the aromas, listening to birdsong, etc.
The Reserve is also an educational center, as we offer space for free workshops, activities, and courses on agroecology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship. We have worked with various institutions such as MARENA, INTA, INTUR, INAFOR, MIPROEMPRENDE, and MAGFOR to share workshops and activities on topics such as agroecology, pest control, environmental stewardship, organic agriculture, and organic fertilizers, among others. The reserve has also been used as a site for various INATEC courses. We also offer the reserve for visits from public schools and universities for tours, projects, and studies. Each year, we welcome several groups of students from local schools and other departments. In 2025, we have welcomed more than 1,000 students. We have a nature club made up of children and adolescents from the community, many of them residents of the reserve. The club meets once a month to learn about nature, birds, and animals, and to conduct art therapy, birdwatching tours, and participate in agroecology workshops. They learn that nature and the reserve belong to everyone, and the responsibility to care for it belongs to everyone. So the children feel like part of the reserve, and in this way, we have many little neighbors who are guardians of the reserve!
Bio-indicators that demonstrate the positive impact on the environment:
Birds: We have documented more than 100 bird species in the reserve. These include birds that require forests to survive and reproduce, as well as aquatic species that are normally only seen where there are bodies of water, but are preserved here due to the presence of the natural pool.
Native Bees: Bees are fundamental pillars for sustainable production and ecosystem health. There are many native bee species in the reserve, and there are 10 trees with multiple bee hives. A single tree is home to seven native bee hives! Native bees seek flowers to collect pollen, but they also collect resin from trees, and gather soil and water. Therefore, they need healthy soil and water, and a diversity of trees, wild vegetation, and native plants to thrive. Therefore, their presence is a good indicator of the quality of the ecosystems in which they are found, and each drop of honey is an ecological footprint of the landscape.
There are more than 50 species of trees in the reserve. Some of them are: acasio, mamey, cortes, madero, chocoyito, guachipilín, geneticero, mango, laurel, ojoche, cedar, guanacaste, guácimo, among others.
As a result of our care for the ecosystem and the environment, we have animals such as sloths, squirrels, guardatinajas, foxes, agoutis, weasels, snakes, and howler monkeys, among others. We also have many species of reptiles such as iguanas, lizards, snakes, and turtles, amphibians such as frogs and salamanders, invertebrates such as various native insects and bees, and many microorganisms.
As an indicator of agricultural practices, we have coffee harvests averaging 1,000 pounds per year, which we use for the cafeteria's drinks and to sell free coffee. With last year's coffee pulp, we processed 500 bottles of wine and 100 pounds of husks to make tea. We harvest an average of 100 pounds of cacao per year, which we use to make cacao-based coffee. We harvest more than 200 pounds of ojoche beans. We also harvest a variety of fruits, several species of beans, pigeon peas, pod beans, corn, wheat, amaranth, a variety of vegetables, herbs, and native plants such as purslane. The farm also maintains six cows in a healthy and sustainable way, from which we use the milk for the cafeteria.
Birds: We have documented more than 100 bird species in the reserve. These include birds that require forests to survive and reproduce, as well as aquatic species that are normally only seen where there are bodies of water, but are preserved here due to the presence of the natural pool.
Native Bees: Bees are fundamental pillars for sustainable production and ecosystem health. There are many native bee species in the reserve, and there are 10 trees with multiple bee hives. A single tree is home to seven native bee hives! Native bees seek flowers to collect pollen, but they also collect resin from trees, and gather soil and water. Therefore, they need healthy soil and water, and a diversity of trees, wild vegetation, and native plants to thrive. Therefore, their presence is a good indicator of the quality of the ecosystems in which they are found, and each drop of honey is an ecological footprint of the landscape.
There are more than 50 species of trees in the reserve. Some of them are: acasio, mamey, cortes, madero, chocoyito, guachipilín, geneticero, mango, laurel, ojoche, cedar, guanacaste, guácimo, among others.
As a result of our care for the ecosystem and the environment, we have animals such as sloths, squirrels, guardatinajas, foxes, agoutis, weasels, snakes, and howler monkeys, among others. We also have many species of reptiles such as iguanas, lizards, snakes, and turtles, amphibians such as frogs and salamanders, invertebrates such as various native insects and bees, and many microorganisms.
As an indicator of agricultural practices, we have coffee harvests averaging 1,000 pounds per year, which we use for the cafeteria's drinks and to sell free coffee. With last year's coffee pulp, we processed 500 bottles of wine and 100 pounds of husks to make tea. We harvest an average of 100 pounds of cacao per year, which we use to make cacao-based coffee. We harvest more than 200 pounds of ojoche beans. We also harvest a variety of fruits, several species of beans, pigeon peas, pod beans, corn, wheat, amaranth, a variety of vegetables, herbs, and native plants such as purslane. The farm also maintains six cows in a healthy and sustainable way, from which we use the milk for the cafeteria.
CONTACT US
|
|
|
FOLLOW ME
|