ACT UPDATE   October 22 , 2004

Dear Friends,

The Tumucumaque Mountains National Park, the largest tropical national park in the world, was created in the state of Amapá, Brazil in 2002. On September 16, 2004, ACT met with local indigenous leadership and representatives of Brazil's Environmental and Renewable Natural Resources Agency (IBAMA) and Indian Affairs Agency (FUNAI) to sign an agreement to integrate protection activities in the indigenous territories of Amapá and northern Pará with established national parks and protected areas. In the words of Joao Aranha, chief of the Wayana-Apalaí: "This is the first time that everyone is able to sit together as equals and work together to protect our forests."

The focus of ACT's work in this region is the Indigenous Reserve in northern Pará, where we work with the indigenous communities in establishing effective border protection for their territories. We are working with the Indians to create a Center for Security and Protection. We recently completed a map detailing potential threats to the Reserve, which is proving to be of great use in drawing up protection plans.

Mark Plotkin traveled to Colombia in September to attend the launch of Germán Zuluaga's new book, "Paullinia yoco: The Life-Blood of the Forest" as well as the signing of an agreement between ACT Colombia, the Universidad del Rosario, and the Colombian National Parks Service. The agreement is the first step in a process that will eventually lead to the creation of a 50,000 acre protected area that will include the Predio UMIYAC. This area, located in one of the most diverse regions in the world, will be the first protected area for the in situ conservation of highly endangered sacred and medicinal plants.

Closer to home, Mark just returned from showing "The Shaman's Apprentice" at the Taos Mountain Film Festival, where it garnered the award for Best Environmental Film. "The Shaman's Apprentice" has been selected for inclusion in Italy's Cervino Film Festival in 2005. Congratulations to Miranda Smith and Abby Wright, Director and Producer of the film!.