Suriname
How Tareno and Matawai Communities Are Advancing Indigenous-Led Development Plans in Suriname
A historic moment for Suriname’s Indigenous and Maroon communities. This December, traditional authorities from the Coeroenie and Matawai regions officially handed over their development plans—the Tareno Development Plans and the Matawai Fiti Plan—to the Government of Suriname. The ceremony was attended by President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, government ministers, district commissioners, representative from the Inter-American Development Bank, and directors of NGOs working in Indigenous and tribal areas. This event marks more…
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 MoreA People Who Resist Collectively: The Gathering of the Wai Wai
The Wai Wai are an Indigenous people who live across portions of the Guianas (Guyana and Suriname) and northern Brazil, especially in the south of Brazil’s Roraima state. Informal records link their name, which derives from the Karib language family, to the armadillo. The armadillo may be perceived as emblematic of the Wai Wai identity…
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…
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 MoreLegendary 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 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 MoreNew Indigenous Cultural Center in the Brazilian Amazon
Indigenous Health Sovereignty in the Amazon In a world increasingly defined by political turmoil, conflict, and environmental crises, stories of resilience and hope shine even brighter. One such beacon of hope emerges from the heart of the Brazilian Amazon: the newly inaugurated Kapai and Aretina Guardians of Knowledge Center. This community-driven initiative aims to preserve…
Read MoreACT Inaugurates New Indigenous Cultural Center in the Brazilian Amazon
We live in an age of unprecedented global chaos—political turmoil, a seemingly endless cycle of conflict in the Middle East, and wildfires ravaging the Amazon, which continue to rage despite efforts to curb them after the 2019 crisis. Amid this global uncertainty, good news is rare, yet desperately needed. Fortunately, there is a beacon of…
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