Posts by Amazon Conservation Team
The Lost City, Hallucinogens, & Shamans
The Plants of the Gods Podcast, hosted by renowned ethnobotanist and ACT President and Co-Founder Dr. Mark Plotkin, is back June 4 for its seventh season! The first episode delves into the enduring allure of lost cities—a captivating blend of mystery, adventure, and the promise of forgotten knowledge. Mark recounts his journey as part of…
Read MoreColombia Embraces Indigenous Health as National Policy
Last month, in a historic act, Colombia’s national government formally adopted the Indigenous Intercultural Health System (SISPI) as national public policy by signing Decree 480. The President signed the decree alongside representatives from the Minga Indigena and other organizations from across Colombia. Indigenous organizations, Colombia’s Ministry of Health, and other state entities worked together for…
Read MoreMeet the Amazon Tapir: The Rainforest’s Gentle Giant
Every April 27, we celebrate World Tapir Day—a chance to shine a spotlight on one of the Amazon’s most unique and underappreciated animals: the tapir. Often described as a cross between a pig and an anteater, the Amazon tapir (also known as the South American tapir or lowland tapir) is neither. In fact, its closest…
Read MoreThe Jaguar: Guardian of the Amazon
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, one elusive and powerful creature reigns supreme—the jaguar. Known as el tigre in much of South America, the jaguar is more than just an apex predator. Jaguar conservation in the Amazon is essential for the health and resilience of Amazonian ecosystems. The jaguar is also a sacred being…
Read MoreColombia Makes History: Legal Protection for Indigenous Peoples in Isolation
Colombia Makes History: Legal Protection for Isolated Indigenous peoples in Colombia In a groundbreaking move, the Colombian government has taken an unprecedented step to protect Indigenous Peoples Living in Isolation by defining their territory—with Indigenous allies, the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), and a coalition of partner organizations playing central roles in fostering this historic resolution. Indigenous…
Read MoreThe Unresolved Fight For Indigenous Land Rights In Suriname: UPDATE
UPDATE: A Critical Moment With just over a month left in the current government’s term, recent legislative changes in Suriname threaten to halt enormous momentum toward finally codifying fundamental rights for the country’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in national law. These changes undermine international human rights commitments, including the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed…
Read MoreWhy Indigenous Land Rights Matter: A Powerful Message from the Amazon
An Indigenous Voice at a Global Event Imagine standing in front of some of the world’s most powerful business leaders and telling them they need to do better. That’s exactly what Telma Taurepang, an Indigenous leader from the Amazon and an Amazon Conservation Team – Brasil assembly member, did in London at the Terra Carta…
Read MoreThe Amazon Rainforest: Fascinating Facts About Its Importance and Biodiversity
The Amazon Rainforest represents one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth, home to an incredible variety of plants, animals, and indigenous tribes. As the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon is crucial not only for its biodiversity but also for its role in regulating the global climate and supporting human life. As a result,…
Read MoreThe Unresolved Fight For Indigenous Land Rights In Suriname
In recent years, indigenous communities across the Americas have fought hard to protect their land. From Standing Rock in the U.S. to protests in Brazil, indigenous peoples have demanded recognition of their rights. But in Suriname, a small country on South America’s northeast coast, indigenous land rights are still not legally guaranteed. Suriname is the…
Read MoreStingless Beekeeping: A Sweet Solution for Culture and Community
Sustainable Stingless Beekeeping for Conservation In the heart of Suriname, Colombia and Brazil, sustainable stingless beekeeping for conservation is doing more than just producing honey—it’s sustaining livelihoods, preserving cultural traditions, and protecting vital ecosystems. Through our stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) initiatives, ACT is working hand-in-hand with partner communities to harness the benefits of native bees for…
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