Colombia
The Annulment of Decree 1500: What is at Stake for the Indigenous Peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
February 20, 2026 The original article published in Spanish by La Silla Vacia can be found here. Written by Juana Hofman – Director of Technical Territorial Integration at the Amazon Conservation Team Colombia and professor at the Universidad del Rosario. Yesterday’s decision by Colombia’s Council of State (Consejo de Estado) to annul, for formal and…
Read MoreFlamingo Conservation on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast
In the brackish marshes of Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast, you’ll find one of the largest and most social bird species – the American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) gathered in flocks of hundreds. This wetland system, between the sea and tropical dry forests of the Guajira Peninsula, serves as a vital feeding ground for diverse wildlife, including ducks, herons, hummingbirds,…
Read MoreBetween Body and Territory: Indigenous Women Facing the Climate Crisis
The impacts of the climate crisis on the health and ancestral knowledge of Indigenous women By Rudja Santos from Carta AmazôniaEdited by Méle Dornelas As COP30 brought the Amazon to the center of global discussions on the climate crisis at the end of 2025, the daily lives of Indigenous women reveal a dimension still largely absent from official…
Read MoreColombian Court Upholds Landmark Ruling for Indigenous Rights
The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s decision last week to uphold Decree 1275 of 2024, a national framework that strengthens and legitimizes the role of Indigenous authorities in leading environmental management across their territories. For nearly 30 years, ACT has worked alongside Indigenous peoples to protect the Amazon through community-led, culturally grounded conservation. The Court’s decision validates the…
Read MoreOliver-Ximon Mwiinga (Oli) Joins ACT as an Ambassador
The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) is delighted to welcome Oliver-Ximon Mwiinga, an 11-year-old nature lover and emerging storyteller from The Hague, the Netherlands, as our newest Ambassador. Despite his young age, Oli has a remarkable sense of curiosity and deep empathy for the natural world. He loves football, animals, reading, and exploring — but above…
Read MoreCosta Rica Gathering 2025: Honoring 30 Years and Building ACT’s Future
From October 20 to October 22, 2025, ACT members from the USA, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the Guianas gathered in Costa Rica for a transformative event. Joined by board members, donors, guests, and Indigenous partners — María del Rosario “Charito” Chicunque, Pablo Chindoy, and Marinete Tukano — the gathering focused on strategic conversations to align ACT around its next chapter while…
Read MoreAriadna Gutiérrez Becomes Ambassador for the Amazon Conservation Team
The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) is proud to announce that actress, model, and humanitarian Ariadna Gutiérrez has joined the organization as an Ambassador, lending her voice and platform to the protection of rainforests, Indigenous cultures, and ancestral wisdom across South America. Gutiérrez, who has long been passionate about environmental and cultural preservation, deepened her commitment…
Read MoreThe Heart of the World: Conservation in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia is the highest coastal mountain range on Earth. Just 25 miles from the Caribbean Sea, its snowcapped peaks rise dramatically from the coastline, creating a uniquely stunning landscape that holds profound spiritual and cultural meaning for the Indigenous Peoples of the region. For the Kogui, Arhuaco,…
Read MoreChristian Science Monitor Highlights Landmark Protection of Isolated Indigenous Territory in Colombia
The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) was recently highlighted in The Christian Science Monitor’s Points of Progress column for its role in a landmark conservation and human rights victory in Colombia. The article celebrates the official recognition of 2.7 million acres as off-limits to development and human contact, safeguarding the isolated Yuri-Passé people. ACT was recognized…
Read MoreFinding Climate Optimism in the Amazon this Earth Day
Earth Day, celebrated this Tuesday, is a global reminder to reflect on the health of our planet. And right now, there’s no sugarcoating it—the biosphere’s vital signs are concerning. The past decade has been the hottest on record. Droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes are growing more intense. The climate crisis feels more real than ever. But…
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