Posts by Amazon Conservation Team
On the Way to the Matawaai
Since the early 1990’s, ACT has worked with indigenous peoples to create ethnographic maps of their traditional lands. These maps not only catalog important locations for indigenous communities, but also serve in the ongoing dialogue over land rights for indigenous and Maroon peoples.
Read MoreTo Build a Tukuispan
Kwamalasamutu awakens. The first sunrays break through the clouds and light on thatched roofs in the tiny Surinamese rainforest village. A few residents are already on their way to wash themselves in the river. Mist still hangs in the air. Suddenly, we hear a voice over the village loudspeaker. It’s Granman Asongo Alalaparu. Per the daily ritual, he makes the morning announcements. Today—as for the last two weeks—the big project is building the community’s new Tukuispan. And everyone is expected to help.
Read MoreHonduras pledges forest protection after discovery of ancient site
Earlier this month, National Geographic made big news: the discovery of what it called a “lost city” below the thick jungles of Honduras. While the coverage has led to scientists crying sensationalism, it also resulted this week in a commitment of protection by the Honduras President, Juan Orlando Hernández, for a long-neglected portion of the country.
Read MoreParticipatory Mapping Work Begins With the Matawaai
In February, Rudo Kemper (Amazon Conservation Team), Niradj Hanoeman (ADEK University student), and Keeng Koemoe (an indigenous cartographer from Kwamalasamutu) traveled to the upper Saramacca river in Suriname for one month to commence a two-year participatory mapping project with the Matawaai maroon people.
Read MoreACT-Suriname Begins Honey Harvesting Project
Bruce Hoffman, Manager for Field Projects of ACT Suriname, is working with the indigenous community of Kwamalasamutu on a project to raise and keep stingless forest bees (Meliponidae) and harvest their honey. This non-timber forest product is a potentially valuable source of sustainable income, and is both tasty and medicinal.
Read MoreACT GIS team travels to Belem, Brazil for deforestation analysis training
This January, ACT’s GIS (geographic information systems) team composed of Brian Hettler, Santiago Palacios, and Rudo Kemper traveled to Belem, Brazil to follow a week-long training on cutting edge remote sensing technologies. The training was conducted by Carlos Souza, Jr. and João Siguera from Imazon, one of our Skoll Foundation partners and a leading authority…
Read MoreMeet ACT’s Newest Corporate Sponsors
Several corporations around the United States recently began supporting ACT with generous in-kind donations. Our field staff now sport KEEN shoes, sleep in Eagle’s Nest Outfitters’ hammocks and use Rite in the Rain all-weather notebooks. We are working to increase these partnerships to supply our colleagues with the equipment they need to be safe and effective in their fieldwork. To see the full list of ACT’s corporate sponsors, click here.
Read MoreDr. Mark Plotkin Goes In Search of Lost Cultures
Mark Plotkin (ACT) accompanied a team of scientists and filmmakers led by Steve Elkins and Bill Benenson to a remote portion of the Honduran rainforest believed to harbor the ruins of an ancient city. The team found several archaeological sites of great promise. Since the expedition, the president of Honduras has issued a declaration protecting the area.
Read MoreNow available: limited edition Kogi tote bag created exclusively for ACT
Donate $500 today to receive a limited edition tote bag created exclusively for ACT. This tote, illustrated and designed by award-winning author and illustrator Janell Cannon, features an image of Kogi Mamo Shibulata. Cannon collaborated with the Kogi people on the drawing, which illustrates environmental dilemmas that challenge the Kogi, as well as the entire world.
Read MoreSocial entrepreneurs dare to change the world
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of CNN Opinion pieces on people who are finding new ways to help solve the world’s biggest problems. The founding president of eBay, Jeff Skoll is a philanthropist and founder and chairman of the Skoll Foundation, Participant Media and the Skoll Global Threats Fund, organizations aiming to help build a sustainable world of peace and prosperity. Sally Osberg is President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation, which produces the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship.
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