The Founder, OUR BOSS, Our Friend
A strapping mid-Westerner, with a booming baritone voice, Peter was an intellectual visionary who saw the opportunity to explore and record the extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and to pass that knowledge along to scientists, students, environmentalists and inquisitive travelers. The roots of Explorama Lodges were planted in the mid-60's after Peter completed his Peace Corps assignment working with Peruvian archaeologists. Traveling to Iquitos, Peter immersed himself in the culture of the river people and using his oratory skills, academic accomplishments and his commanding instructional personality, he started Explorama Lodges that is now nearing a half century of operation.
Under Peter's watchful eyes, lodges were built to accommodate guests. Boats were bought to move people from Iquitos to as far away as the Napo Lodge, 100 miles downriver. Employees were hired and guides were trained to combine their innate abilities with the science of the rain forest and today Explorama Lodges has no equal.
Sr. PedroIn August of 2008 the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment recognized Peter's work when the President of Peru, Dr. Alan Garcia, personally presented Peter with an award for his Contribution for the Preservation of the Environment. In 2010, the Iquitos Board of Education recognized Peter with the highly distinguished "Amazon Educator" award for "his great effort in Environmental Education for local children, adults and visitors to the rainforest."
Peter S. Jenson, Founder, President of the Board of Directors, General Manager of Explorama Lodges and friend to countless guests throughout the world, died peacefully at his home at Ceiba Tops, June 20, 2010 of esophageal cancer. Peter's highly competent staff will carry on in his footsteps always aware that Peter opened the door to educating thousands of visitors on biodiversity of the rain forest and that his legacy will be measured by the incredibly high standards he set.
A memorial to Peter is planned in the form of professional signage for the Canopy Walkway and the trail leading to it that will explain the importance of the rainforest and the unique perspective that the Canopy Walkway provides for scientists and laymen alike. Peter was not interested in personal accolades but there will also be a plaque with a little information about his grand story, whether he likes it or not.