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…

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Colombia 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…

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Meet 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…

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Finding 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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The Unresolved Fight For Indigenous Land Rights In Suriname: UPDATE

Wuta, Trio man from the indigenous village of Kwamalasamutu in southern Suriname.

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…

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Legendary Field Botanist and ACT Honored by Surinamese Government

Surinamese Minister of the Environment Marciano Dasai recognized legendary field botanist Frits van Troon along with other members of the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) for their outstanding contributions to forest conservation in the region. The recognition took place during a special event at TBL Cinemas, where the life of field botanist Van Troon, 89, was…

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The Unresolved Fight For Indigenous Land Rights In Suriname

Wuta, Trio man from the indigenous village of Kwamalasamutu in southern 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…

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