AMAZON CONSERVATION TEAM GUIANAS
PROTECTING THE FOREST, PROTECTING THE FUTURE The Amazon is a pivotal, life-sustaining force for people and the planet. It shelters critical biodiversity, absorbs massive amounts of carbon, cools the air, and regulates water cycles worldwide. Beyond its indispensable ecological benefits, the Amazon is home to indigenous and local communities whose physical, material, and spiritual well-being…
Read MoreThe Amazon Conservation Team at the Floriade 2022
A Field-based conservation organization that partners with indigenous and other local communities to protect tropical forests and strengthen traditional culture. Visit our booth at the 2022 Floriade, to learn about our unique model of Amazon rainforest management in Suriname. For over 25 years, ACT has co-created new methods of conservation with our partners that honor…
Read MoreThe Shamans and Apprentices Program: A Promise to Kwamalasamutu
The success of the Shamans and Apprentices program was just the beginning of the pioneering biocultural conservation work that ACT has gone on to do. In the spirit of supporting communities in their own efforts — as opposed to implementing foreign, top-down initiatives — ACT sought to secure culturally appropriate means for human and environmental wellbeing, and increase recognition of indigenous culture and self-determination. In this way, we were able to merge the strengths and tools of the Western world in a way that complements but doesn’t dominate the ideals and goals of the local community.
Read MoreThe Healing Bees of the Amazon Forest
Ancient human societies were not the first to discover the power of plants for healing: for millions of years, bees have used botanical resin exudates—known as propolis—to control the proliferation of microorganisms in their nests. These Amazonian bees possess innate knowledge of medicinal plants. By collecting resin from different trees and plants, they produce one of the first medicine cocktail of animals’ societies, known as propolis. ACT has been strengthening the communities living in the Amazon forest in order to sustainably harvest this product.
Read MoreLands of Freedom: Preserving and Honoring the Heritage of the Matawai
The Matawai Maroons of Suriname—descendants of enslaved Africans who fled into the rainforest over 300 ago, where they have remained ever since— in partnership with ACT, are launching a new interactive Storytelling Map showcasing their centuries-old oral histories about their ancestral lands and culture.
Read MoreOur COVID-19 Response: Update
The pandemic is hitting indigenous communities of the Amazon from all sides. They are in dire need of support to ward off the virus and save human lives right now, and to protect their cultures and forests from mounting ecological threats and economic pressures.
ACT is continuing to scale our efforts to support communities in tackling this critical issue from within in alliance with local organizations and government agencies. In areas where aid is simply not available or public services lack the capacity or will to independently reach communities in need, our work has been indispensable.
Read MoreOfficial Statement: The Passing of Robinson López Descanse
With immense pain, we mourn the passing of our friend and colleague Robinson López Descanse, Climate Change Coordinator of COICA (Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin) and former Human Rights Coordinator of OPIAC (Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon). With great sadness, we say goodbye to Robinson. We honor the valuable and immense work…
Read MoreComunicado Oficial: fallecimiento de Robinson López Descanse
Con inmenso dolor lamentamos el fallecimiento de nuestro amigo y colega Robinson López Descanse, Coordinador de Cambio Climático de COICA (Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica) y ex coordinador de DDHH de OPIAC. Despedimos con mucha tristeza a Robinson, reconociendo el valioso e inmenso trabajo que hizo por los derechos humanos de…
Read MoreCountering Emerging Crises in the Amazon: Covid-19 & Fires
In the following report, the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) highlights some of its on-the-ground efforts in response to the two tragedies that have defined the last year in the Amazon: the fires of 2019, and the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. To view the report, please click on the image:
Read MorePerseverance and Adaptation in the Face of COVID-19
How the global pandemic is impacting our indigenous partner communities in Suriname – a conversation with ACT’s Rayan Madhar on traditional knowledge in Suriname during COVID-19.
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