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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Stingless 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…

Read More

The Amazon is ablaze again. What it means for us (commentary) – Mongabay.com

Rainfall over the Amazon river. Photo by Rhett A. Butler

The following article by ACT President Mark Plotkin, responding to the renewed and alarming intensity of forest fires in the Amazon, was originally published on MongaBay.com.  In 2019, the world watched in horror as images of the Amazon rainforest ablaze flooded the news. Over 70,000 wildfires raged uncontrollably, killing wildlife, filling hospitals with patients struggling…

Read More