Amazon Conservation recently held a 25th-anniversary launch event in Washington, DC, to kick off this milestone year, reflect on all we have accomplished together for conservation, and discuss the future of the Amazon. The event was a space for community, gratitude, and renewed energy among friends and supporters as we look toward the next 25 years of conservation. It brought together our founders, Board Members, long-time supporters, and conservation experts for a set of engaging panel discussions, providing guests (both in-person and virtual) a unique opportunity to learn about our commitment and vision for conservation across the Amazon.

The event began with opening remarks from Jim Brumm, Amazon Conservation’s Board Chair, who welcomed our new and long-time friends, partners, and supporters and highlighted the need for continued collaboration and resiliency in the face of growing global challenges., 

As we transitioned into the first panel, “25 Years of Amazon Conservation,” our Board Member and former Governor of Arizona and US Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt led a dedication to our Co-Founders, Adrian Forsyth and Enrique Ortiz, reminiscing on their drive and dedication to bolstering conservation in lesser-known areas of the Amazon. The Co-Founders were presented with a special dedication gift from Amazon Conservation to celebrate their legacy and continued contributions to the organization and Amazon as a whole.

The first panel was moderated by Andrew Wilcox, who has been a friend of the organization for many years and recently joined our Board of Directors. Andrew is also the Senior Manager of Sustainable Sourcing and Digital Solutions at Unilever. He guided the conversation with Bruce Babbitt and our Co-Founders, Adrian Forsyth and Enrique Ortiz, who are also the Strategic Advisor for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Senior Program Director for the Andes Amazon Fund, respectively. Adrian and Enrique shared their nostalgic stories of how they first fell in love with the Amazon, how they first decided to team up to found Amazon Conservation in 1999, and their reflections on the organization’s evolution and future path. This was a proud moment, reminding us of all that Amazon Conservation has accomplished and what we continue fighting for to this day. We were grateful to share these memories with all of our supporters, new and old, who continue to inspire our vision for a thriving and resilient Amazon. 

Some highlights from the first panel included first-hand stories about Amazon Conservation’s early wins, including the establishment of the Los Amigos Conservation Concession in Peru, the world’s first conservation concession established through an innovative public-public partnership model and the home of the Los Amigos Biological Station–the first of our three biological stations in Peru. Speakers discussed the importance of the many groundbreaking scientific advancements and technological developments at Los Amigos, ManuBio, and Wayqecha Biological Stations in Peru, noting how understanding the complexity of the Amazon ecosystem–such as its intricate ecological functions–has “connected the dots” between the health of the forest and its global impacts. Furthermore, the speakers mentioned how the scientific research carried out by the late Thomas Lovejoy, world-renowned ecologist and former Amazon Conservation Board Member, directly influenced the founding of Amazon Conservation and our three strategic areas. In the 1970s, Tom recognized the critical need for preserving this ecosystem and, until his passing in 2021, advocated for the role of science in reinforcing conservation initiatives, which underlies our organization’s unique science-based approach.

Between the two panels, Amazon Conservation’s President John Beavers shared highlights of our 2020-2030 strategy and focus for the next decade. John emphasized our focus on halting illegal deforestation, particularly through technology-driven solutions such as our Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP), building a forest-based economy, and protecting the core of the Amazon (which covers 50% of the Amazon basin through protected areas and Indigenous territories. He also expressed the need for more collaboration in the region, and Amazon Conservation is taking a lead role in that by building a strong network of partners — such as local organizations, Indigenous groups, governmental entities, and others — that can be an united front to maximize conservation impact and drive policy action at scale.

The second panel, “The Future of the Amazon and Amazon Conservation,” focused on the perspectives of local and international conservation experts. The panel was moderated by Doug Sarno, who is not only one of Amazon Conservation’s Board Members but also the President of the Forum Facilitation Group and the Principal for The Participation Company.

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Amazon Conservation Board Member, President of the UN Climate Convention’s 20th Conference of the Parties (COP 20), and former Minister of the Environment in Peru, noted that the Amazon faces many socio-political and economic challenges within a complex system of cooperation that should be considered when developing conservation solutions. He explained, “The Amazon is complex. We are not talking about nine very united and well-coordinated countries; it’s different countries with different approaches, with different ideologies, very fragmented, and in some way that has created difficulties for the [Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization].” 

Panelist André Aquino speaks at our launch event

Another panelist, André Aquino, Head of the Economics and Environment Office for Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, shared his perspective on what conservation solutions can be prioritized in countries like Brazil. He mentioned that by building a forest-based economy, people will have more of an incentive to prevent deforestation, as forest products such as Brazil nuts and açaí hold economic potential for local communities. André commented, “Keeping deforestation low requires a change in development paradigm, [which] means generating value from the standing forest that we have not yet really developed in Brazil.” He further discussed how people living in cities outside of the Amazon must understand why its conservation is so important for them and for all so that they will support and advocate for solutions. 

Panelist María Elena Gutierrez speaks at our launch event

María Elena Gutierrez, Executive Director of our Alliance sister organization, Conservación Amazónica—ACCA in Peru, added that deforestation in Peru is drastically affecting local economies and that the organization is addressing this issue by empowering local authorities and Indigenous communities with legal and technical support to defend their territories. She explained, “They need to know their rights and how to present a legal demand, but also [know how to use] technology because it’s the way to defend themselves.” Marcos Terán, Executive Director of our Alliance sister organization Conservación Amazónica–ACEAA in Bolivia, also shared that science and technology are key to providing information that can drive decision-making for conservation solutions. He stated, “We are trying to scale up these kinds of solutions and generate information to show that it’s possible to live in a sustainable manner.” 

As the program concluded, Amazon Conservation’s President John Beavers encouraged more proactive measures, such as direct contributions to organizations working on the ground, as well as growing collaboration and cooperation between Amazonian countries. In doing so, he expressed that this Amazon-wide collaboration can boost the progress and effectiveness of efforts to combat deforestation and keep the Amazon standing.

Inspired by panelists’ insights, Amazon Conservation remains committed to strengthening partnerships, advancing strategic regional and national conservation initiatives, and leveraging cutting-edge science and technology. We also continue to foster open dialogue with our partners across the region, embracing diverse perspectives that drive innovative conservation solutions while expanding our network of dedicated conservationists.

To our supporters who have helped us reach so many milestones over the past 25 years, thank you for your commitment to our work. We would not be able to achieve these 25 years of progress without our community of supporters like you. Together, we are making a meaningful difference for a thriving and resilient Amazon for generations to come.

To those who joined us for our launch event in person or via our livestream, a special thank you for helping us kick off this milestone year.  Your commitment to a thriving Amazon fuels our mission and inspires us to do even more over the next 25 years.

Montane forests of the Andes

Beyond the Amazon’s lush green canopies and buzzing wildlife lie unique montane forest ecosystems in the Andes Mountains that play an active role in the health of the watersheds of the Amazon basin. The water originating from these mountains is a key water source that feeds a series of major rivers that eventually flow into the Amazon River basin. By recognizing the importance of these ecological connections between regions, we are prioritizing the conservation of these larger landscapes to protect carbon stores and biodiversity as well as improve resilience to climate change for both the ecosystems and local people who depend on these natural resources for agriculture, water, and economic services. 

Since 2022, our sister organization, Conservación Amazónica-ACCA in Peru, has been working with several rural communities in Challabamba, Peru, as part of a reforestation project to restore degraded ecosystems historically affected by fires, overgrazing, and livestock farming. These communities depend heavily on the land for small-scale farming and agriculture to support their livelihoods. Restoring native plants to these degraded areas helps improve soil health and water flow systems that support sustainable agricultural development in the Andes while actively protecting major watersheds in the lower Amazon basin. 

Challabamba community members in carry out reforestation efforts (2022)

Conservación Amazónica-ACCA reported that over 350,000 native plants had been planted as of May 2024, along with 115,000 native trees planted as of January 2025. to support the restoration of these montane ecosystems. In January 2025, a study published in People and Nature–in which Conservación Amazónica-ACCA participated as a non-governmental organization stakeholder–analyzed the motivations, models, and perceived success of reforestation efforts of Andean forests in Peru and the impact their success has on local ecosystems and communities, offering new insight into what drives the success of reforestation projects in rural communities.

According to the study, the primary motivation for all stakeholders interviewed to restore Andean forests is to maintain and improve water resources for agriculture. At the same time, local community members cited secondary motivations that included improving livelihoods for future generations and the well-being of their community. 

In discussing their motivations for engaging in forest restoration, many local stakeholders described the relationship between local and regional water benefits or services with the concept of “sowing and harvesting water,” which the article describes as combining “a variety of activities that intercept and retain water in a landscape, including activities that are thought to improve water recharge in the subsoil and aquifers and increase humidity through fog collection by trees and in situ water recharge (e.g., wetland and grassland conservation and restoration and reforestation with native water-conserving species).” The study’s findings also demonstrate how local farmers understand the direct correlation between healthy forests and forest restoration efforts in improving water availability, including capturing and storing water for their agricultural livelihoods in preparation for dry seasons.

Highlighting the importance of including native species in restoration efforts, community members indicated how, in their experience, Andean forests and reforestation contributed to improved overall water quality and quantity by contributing to aquifer recharge and water retention. Native plants and tree species, such as Polylepis (Queñua) and mosses, capture humidity from fog and retain water like sponges, helping to regulate water flow into the soil and “recharge” groundwater stores ahead of the dry season.

The study also noted that in Peru, the role of certain socio-economic factors–including land ownership, environmental and conservation education, and community organization–can help enable the success of restoration projects. On the other hand, the researchers mentioned that at the regional level in other South American countries, similar social and institutional factors have ultimately limited restoration efforts, such as a high economic dependence on natural resources, conflict over land tenure and access, and divergence in perceptions and values between social actors, in particular a disconnection between “bottom-up” and “top-down” monitoring approaches.

The conclusions of this new study strongly align with our nature-based solutions to climate change through community-based forest restoration efforts, an understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems across the region, and a focus on large landscape-scale connectivity to protect the core of the Amazon.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work of Conservación Amazónica-ACCA and the collaboration and support from like-minded NGOs actively contributing to this essential reforestation.

Read the full study here. 

Kindness comes in many forms, and for 11-year-old sisters Muriel and Madeline, kindness meant taking action for the Amazon Rainforest. As part of a school project about kindness, they combined their passion for the environment with a simple but effective fundraising idea: a bake sale.

Madeline and Muriel’s pamphlet on palm oil

Madeline and Muriel, both fifth graders in San Diego, CA, organized a bake sale to raise awareness about the prevalence of palm oil and its impact on deforestation in the Amazon. They didn’t just sell cookies; they also shared educational materials about palm oil, such as listing common foods that contain it, the names it can be disguised as, and explaining how it contributes to environmental destruction. Their hard work paid off, raising an impressive $518, which they donated to Amazon Conservation to further counter deforestation’s impacts.

For Muriel and Madeline, supporting the Amazon was an easy decision. Through school and their own reading and research, they became deeply aware of the rainforest’s role in our planet’s health. They learned that the Amazon produces 20% of the Earth’s oxygen, stores vast amounts of carbon, and sustains its own rainfall, making its preservation crucial in the fight against climate change.

“We always knew we wanted to do something for the Amazon because of how quickly it’s being destroyed,” Madeline explained. Muriel agreed, “We decided, ‘Let’s help fix it! And let’s make cookies too because cookies are fun, and we think we can get more donations with cookies.’”

After organizing the bake sale, the sisters’ experience opened their eyes to how much people care and were interested in learning when given the chance. Many people were surprised by how much palm oil can be found in all kinds of food that they were unaware of, but they weren’t surprised that so many people didn’t realize how common it is. Muriel explained, “It’s not like the [companies] using palm oil want them to know this!”

A Message of Hope and Call to Action

While they want everyone to be aware of environmental harm and that it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, Madeline and Muriel believe that anyone can make a difference, no matter their age or resources. Their advice? Madeline recommends, “If you have the time and resources, then it makes sense to do it. But you don’t have to have a lot of time or resources; you can just organize a penny drive and ask people to donate five cents. That’s something.”

Muriel agrees and wishes more people took action: “Why aren’t people doing something about it!? They can! Since a ton of people aren’t doing something about it, these 10-year-old kids had to go and make cookies.”

They also emphasize small but meaningful changes, like choosing Rainforest Alliance-approved products, supporting companies that participate in 1% for the Planet, and reducing beef consumption, as much of it comes from deforested land.

Through their kindness, determination, and commitment to raising awareness, these two young activists prove that even small efforts can make a significant impact. Their story is an inspiring reminder that when people take the time to care, change is possible—one cookie at a time.

Learn how you, too, can make a difference for Amazon!

To commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11th, our Peruvian sister organization, Conservación Amazónica—ACCA, held a webinar highlighting prominent women scientists leading vital studies on Amazonian biodiversity. From studies on keystone species like the Andean bear to research on tropical diseases and insect biodiversity, these scientists are helping advance the understanding of the rainforest and inform conservation strategies. 

The webinar, moderated by Dr. Corine Vriensendorp, Director of Science at Conservación Amazónica-ACCA, brought together our renowned staff researchers Ruthmery Pillco (Peru), Juliana Morales (Colombia) and Erin Rivera (Mexico), who each lead research at our biological stations in the Peruvian Amazon.

Science and Community: the Andean Bear, Guardian of the High Andean Forests

Ruthmery Pillco, National Geographic Explorer and Disney Conservation Hero presented the Andean Bear Conservation Project she has been leading at our Wayqecha Biological Station for the past several years, where her team studies the movement of this species, which is key to forest regeneration. “The Andean bear is an indicator of the state of health of the forests. Understanding their behavior helps us develop better conservation strategies,” Pillco explained. Her work has contributed to the reforestation of 430,000 native trees, benefiting wildlife and local communities affected by climate change.

Getting to Know the Transmitters of Leishmaniasis (Uta) in Peru

Juliana Morales, Director of the Thomas Lovejoy Biodiversity Laboratory at our Manu Biological Station, addressed the global and regional impacts of tropical diseases such as Leishmaniasis. “Our work allows us to better understand disease vectors and develop more effective prevention strategies for local communities,” Morales highlighted. Her work identifying the transmission mechanisms of diseases contributes to improving not only local conservation action but also driving efforts to protect human health and prevent future pandemics.

Applied Technologies For Insect Sampling at the Los Amigos Biological Station

Erin Rivera, a researcher at our Los Amigos Biological Station, highlighted the importance of studying insects as indicators of ecosystem health. “Insects can tell us a lot about environmental changes. They are key to understanding the health of the forest and its resilience to climate change,” Rivera explained. Using innovative technologies such as UV light traps and digital analysis software, the team is progressing in understanding the biodiversity of Amazonian insect species and how factors like human activity and climate change impact foundation species like insects.

The event concluded with words from Dr. Alizon Rodríguez, President of the Pro-Women Committee of the National Council of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Peru, who emphasized the need to create more opportunities for women in science, especially in rural environments and vulnerable communities. “We must guarantee that more women have access to research and tools to develop the scientific potential of the region,” said Rodríguez.

Finally, the researchers shared their personal experiences building their scientific career paths, highlighting the challenges they faced and the gratification of contributing to the knowledge and conservation of the Amazon. With an inspiring message for younger generations, they emphasized that with the right effort and determination, women can achieve their goals in science and make their dreams come true.

These research efforts in science and conservation were made possible thanks to the support of organizations such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, International Conservation Fund of Canada, Acción Andina, National Geographic Society, Seadream Family Foundation, and the Catto Shaw Foundation.

As we enter unprecedented times for conservation and climate change around the world, we at Amazon Conservation Association want to reassure you that our commitment to the Amazon and fighting climate change remains unchanged.

The impacts of deforestation and climate change will not stop in the midst of political uncertainty, but neither will our dedication to protecting the largest and most important forest on the planet. If we want the Amazon to carry on providing the world with all that it does now–vital resources like water and oxygen, climate regulation, home to Indigenous groups and their traditional ways of life, a haven for wildlife and biodiversity, and the source of irreplaceable products for local and global economies–then we must continue to move forward with the conservation solutions needed to ensure that the forest thrives, no matter how big the challenges in front of us are.

The latest decisions by the US government on foreign aid, conservation, and climate–among many other decisions affecting everything from humanitarian assistance to science–are already creating major ripple effects on local communities and the protection of nature. For instance, several of our Alliance’s projects previously supported by USAID to combat illegal deforestation in Peru have been halted. We, along with the rest of the conservation community, are deeply concerned about the long-term impacts these decisions will have on the health of forests, survival of wildlife, local people’s livelihoods, and our global climate. Our hearts go out to the people around the world who are being affected by these drastic decisions and all the organizations that are being directly impacted. However, even though this change in funding has already begun to affect our work, it has not moved us away from our core mission to drive conservation action across the Amazon. We remain as committed to protecting the Amazon today as we were on our first day, 25 years ago.

Now more than ever, we ask that you join us and other nonprofit organizations in the fight to protect nature and our collective futures. Civil society organizations are quickly becoming central to filling new gaps in order to continue providing critical social, economic, and environmental services. And we depend on you to help us keep conservation thriving and resilient through these new challenges. We are truly grateful to each of our supporters and partners for your contributions to date that have helped us achieve so much already, and we pledge to continue fighting to ensure that our conservation progress won’t be stopped. 

Join us standing with nature and people

For decades, local Indigenous communities have continued to experience threats, incursions, and illegal deforestation in their territories, destroying thousands of acres of pristine forests and vital natural resources they depend on. To support local Indigenous communities in Peru, we have been working with the Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River Region (FENAMAD), a regional Indigenous federation representing 38 communities from the Madre de Dios region, to bring them the technology tools and legal support needed to protect their ancestral lands. This January, FENAMAD celebrated 43 years as a federation, and we are proud to have been partnering with them for over 7 of these years to support their fight against the illegal activities that threaten their homes.

An example of the satellite imagery we share with FENAMAD

To celebrate their anniversary, FENAMAD hosted a presentation to share more information about their organization and updates on projects and initiatives they have actively been involved in. Amazon Conservation’s Senior Geospatial Analyst and Partner Strategy Lead, Nadia Mamani Chavez, attended this event and shared her input on the progress of our close partnership with FENAMAD. She shares, “We congratulate our colleagues at FENAMAD for their 43rd anniversary and for all the results achieved so far for the dozens of communities they represent. During the event, the achievements of our real-time satellite monitoring and action work were presented, and we couldn’t be more proud of all the deforestation we nipped in the bud together. It was great to hear from the community leaders on the importance of expanding and strengthening technology-based monitoring and legal action for the protection of their ancestral territories, something that is a core part of Amazon Conservation’s efforts.”

Since 2021, Amazon Conservation has provided FENAMAD with real-time satellite monitoring of Indigenous territories in the Peruvian Amazon through our Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP) while also building their technological capacity to use high-tech monitoring tools, such as drones, to patrol their territories. The information and data gathered from these reports and tools are then cited in “denúncias” – a legal complaint sent to authorities to call for government intervention. This partnership, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), marks how Amazon Conservation is directly partnering with Indigenous leaders to transfer technology and build their capacity to strengthen their existing surveillance systems, inform their on-the-ground patrolling, and help take action to stop illegal deforestation and degradation in their homelands.

To date, the federation has successfully filed 200 legal cases – 141 of which they have already won – against activities affecting Indigenous territories in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. Additionally, FENAMAD’s legal efforts to protect their territories not only impact the 38 communities they represent but also several uncontacted Indigenous groups around their established communities who depend on healthy forests for their survival. Now, the federation has expanded its fight against illegal deforestation to the international arena, filing an international case in November 2024 with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to report the violation of territorial rights that threaten the agency, culture, and well-being of Indigenous groups in voluntary isolation and initial contact, referred to as “PIACI” in Spanish. 

Moving forward, FENAMAD envisions big goals for 2025 to strengthen its monitoring systems, including establishing 15 new community oversight offices to monitor the territories of 38 Indigenous communities more closely and simultaneously build the technical capabilities of local leaders. Amazon Conservation continues to support the federation, providing the necessary equipment, satellite imagery, technological and legal training, and other resources to help them enact their territorial rights and keep their forest home standing. 

This year, Amazon Conservation is continuing to ensure that our conservation programs have a real, lasting impact on the ground. Addressing today’s most urgent threats to the Amazon has become more important than ever, as challenges caused by deforestation, illegal mining, and climate change continue to drastically affect local people and wildlife.

We want to make a real difference, so we’re inviting you to join us in paving the way for healthy, thriving, and sustainable forests throughout the Amazon. 

Ever wondered how you can contribute without breaking the bank? Luckily, there are numerous ways you can contribute meaningfully with little to no cost to you today! Check out these 3 nifty ways you can make an impact for the Amazon. 

1. Tap Into Effortless Fundraising with MyGivmo

What if we told you that you can raise funds without lifting a finger? Now you can with the unique giving tool, My Givmo! Simply put, your computer’s unused processing power can be converted into donations for your favorite cause. Your computer’s idle time can earn pennies for the Amazon, without costing you a thing! Just download the MyGivmo app, install it, and enter AMAZON in the code field. Every minute your computer is powered on, you’re helping raise funds to protect one of the world’s most precious ecosystems!

Download MyGivmo today and use code “Amazon”

2. Leave Your Legacy with FreeWill

It’s never too early to plan for the future, so make 2025 the year to create a lasting legacy that will create a positive impact for generations to come. Plus, you can get started today at no cost! By including the Amazon in your estate plan through FreeWill, you can ensure your values live on in a meaningful way. It’s simple, free, and can have an enduring impact.

Start Your Legacy for Free Today

3. Get Tax-Savvy 

Did you know that you can still give with non-cash assets? Donating non-cash assets can even come with greater tax benefits, increasing the overall value of your contribution while making a sizable impact on our mission. From donating stock and cryptocurrencies to giving from your IRA or Donor-Advised Fund, tax-efficient giving strategies allow you to make a difference for the Amazon and enjoy financial benefits.

Learn More About Maximizing Your Charitable Impact

With your support, we can help plan long-term solutions to protect and restore forest ecosystems, fight the most urgent threats to the Amazon, and empower local families and communities. Join our resolution for greater conservation impact, and make 2025 a hopeful year for our planet for future generations!

Here’s to a brighter, more sustainable future for the Amazon!

Known for its vast biodiversity, the Amazon is home to thousands of endemic species—some of which researchers have yet to fully study. To deepen our understanding of the Amazon’s ecosystems and the diverse organisms that sustain its vitality, Amazon Conservation’s research hubs in the Peruvian and Bolivian Amazon provide cutting-edge technologies and resources that can empower students, researchers, and scientists to uncover insights into some of the Amazon’s most elusive species.

A radio-collared, sub-adult, female short-eared dog

One of these lesser-known species hiding away in the Amazon is the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis), classified as one of the least-studied canids in the world due to its reclusive nature and low population density. As a result, developing targeted research strategies on this species has been underprioritized given the significant lack of baseline data on the species’ behavior, ecology, and population dynamics.

What importance does studying such a secretive species bring to the world of biological diversity? When it comes to the Amazon Biome, everything from the largest birds down to even the smallest ant has a critical role, whether it be decomposition, seed dispersal, population control, pollination, and more, to keep the forest thriving. Many of Amazon Conservation’s research projects, including our Andean Bear Conservation Project, target certain species to analyze how their populations and behaviors affect these certain functions of the forest that are vital to balancing the Amazon’s delicate ecosystem.

This new study carried out at our Los Amigos Biological Station provides the first published comprehensive analysis of wild and re-introduced short-eared dogs’ diets. Once thought to be carnivorous, new data uncovers they are mesocarnivores and omnivorous in nature, shedding light on important potential implications for its role in sustaining forest dynamics via seed dispersal and regulating prey populations.

The study reveals a complex and diverse dietary range that encompasses various insect, amphibian, bird, mammal, and even crustacean species in addition to a variety of plant species. This new research provides new perspectives on the unique ecological role of the short-eared dog in the western Amazon and its relationship to the forests’ trophic dynamics. 

Read the full study here.

As we begin a new year filled with celebrations of our 25th Anniversary, this is the perfect moment to reflect on the strides we made in 2024 toward conserving and protecting the Amazon. 2024 was a year of incredible progress, collaborative action, and resilience in the face of global environmental challenges. From groundbreaking science that is helping to better understand and protect biodiversity to expanding protection for wild places while using our real-time monitoring capabilities to track and report illegal deforestation in existing protected areas.

Together, we’ve demonstrated the power of unity and unwavering commitment to preserving the greatest wild forest on Earth. Here’s to celebrating what we’ve achieved together, and setting our sights on even greater progress in the year ahead!

Take a moment to reflect with us on some of the most inspiring accomplishments of 2024 that are shaping a more sustainable and thriving Amazon.

1. New Species Discovery at our Manu Biological Station

Right at the tail end of 2024, a team of researchers at our Manu Biological Station made a groundbreaking discovery: a new species of sandfly: Trichophoromyia macrisae.

Sandflies carry a parasite called Leishmania that can transmit leishmaniasis, a disease known to raise significant public health concerns in tropical regions. Studying this new species has the potential to provide critical insights into disease transmission and help develop effective prevention strategies that can save lives. 

2. Amazon Conservation hosted an Exclusive Side Event at COP16

We were honored to participate in last year’s Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia. As part of our participation, we hosted an exclusive side event, The Power of Partnerships and Technology to Stop Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon, to emphasize the urgent action needed to prevent the Amazon from reaching its tipping point and converting from a self-sustaining rainforest to a dry savanna ecosystem. 

Data collected through our Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP) show that the severe environmental and social consequences of illegal gold mining are among the leading threats to areas with high biodiversity and ecological integrity, which are vital for maintaining the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem.

We were delighted to receive high praise for this side event and are thrilled to have made connections with other organizations with similar objectives. 

3. MAAP Report Reveals Effective Results of Mining Intervention Atop a Sacred Tepui in the Venezuelan Amazon

In December 2022, the Washington Post published an article highlighting a MAAP report about illegal mining on top of a sacred tepui in the heart of Yapacana National Park in the Venezuelan Amazon (MAAP #169). In response, the Venezuelan government conducted a military operation against the illegal mining activity on the tepui, dismantling illegal mining camps and equipment.

In April of last year, we published a MAAP report containing satellite images atop the tepui following this intervention, revealing that all illegal mining camps and equipment on top of the tepui have been effectively cleared. All 425 visible illegal mining camps and heavy equipment in December 2022 fell to zero in January 2024. This marks a major victory for Amazon conservation in Venezuela, keeping Indigenous people and important biodiversity safe and protected.

4. National Geographic Featured Work from our Andean Bear Conservation Project

In National Geographic’s special October issue of “Into the Amazon,” the work of biologist Ruthmery Pillco, lead coordinator of our Andean Bear Conservation Project, and her research team at our Wayqecha Biological Station was featured in its own section of the issue titled “Bears of the Cloud Forests.” The highlighted work emphasizes the importance of Andean bears to Peruvian culture, as well as how their behavior and populations can help us better understand wildlife responses to environmental change and the functional diversity of ecosystems.

We take immense pride in the dedication and hard work of Ruthmery and her research team and extend our congratulations on their well-earned recognition.

5. Two New Conservation Areas and Counting

One of our biggest accomplishments of 2024 comes in the form of over 1.2 million acres of newly protected areas in the Bolivian Amazon. In combination with your generous contributions, support from the Andes Amazon Fund, and technical support from our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA, the following two new conservation areas were established in some of the most critical areas of the Amazon:

• The Arroyo Guarichona Conservation Area in the Beni Department was established in July and now protects 492,815 acres of vital natural spaces with savannas, lowland forests, and high biodiversity as part of the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP). 
• The Tahuamanu-Orthon Conservation Area in the Pando Department was established just last month to preserve biodiversity and safeguard resources across 762,248 acres. 

Additionally, we also saw progress with a new potential conservation area in Peru, with our Peruvian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA receiving approval for the first phase of establishing a new conservation area in in the buffer zone of the Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the Puno region. 

Protected areas are critical for conserving vital ecosystems and biodiversity, which can help communities secure clean water and ample food resources. In total, 2024 helped us cross the finish line of protecting 10.5 million acres of the Amazon! We are extremely grateful for the hard work put forth by our sister organization, as well as the generous funds provided by our supporters. 

We, along with the Amazon, thank you for all you’ve helped us accomplish!

Help us start the New Year off right with a 2025 gift today and show your support for a thriving Amazon!

With the end of the year coming upon us, Amazon Conservation is excited to share the discovery of a new species of sandfly identified at our Manu Biological Station in the Peruvian Amazon. This most recent scientific breakthrough reminds us of the groundbreaking research and innovation taking place in the heart of the Amazon, showcasing the critical role of biodiversity and science in addressing global challenges. 

From uncovering new species that expand our understanding of tropical ecosystems to developing advanced technologies for tracking wildlife and monitoring diseases, our work highlights the essential connection between conserving the Amazon and protecting human health. As we celebrate innovation for conservation, we want to underscore how these efforts safeguard not only the Amazon and the planet’s health, but also our own individual health as humans. With your support, we can continue to drive these essential initiatives forward for the benefit of all.

A Remarkable Discovery: Trichophoromyia macrisae

In the depths of the Amazon rainforest, at the Manu Biological Station in southern Peru, researchers uncovered a new species of sandfly, Trichophoromyia macrisae. This remarkable discovery adds to the 47 species of the genus found across the Americas, 15 of which can be found in Peru. 

Sandflies are known transmitters of Leishmania, the parasite responsible for leishmaniasis, a disease that poses a significant public health challenge in tropical regions. By identifying and studying this new species, scientists gain critical insights into local transmission dynamics–the analysis of the rate and pattern of a disease spreading in a population–ultimately informing prevention strategies and public health policies. 

This recent discovery, made possible thanks to support from the International Conservation Fund of Canada, is just one example of the innovative conservation research taking place at our biological stations in Peru that helps inform local and global human health. This type of analysis demonstrates valuable information around the intersection of biodiversity and human health, where protecting ecosystems also protects lives.

Pioneering Conservation Technology at Biological Stations in Peru

Similarly, at our state-of-the-art Wildlife Conservation Laboratory at our Los Amigos Biological Station in the Peruvian Amazon, scientists conduct cutting-edge research on advanced wildlife genomics and monitoring of key species right in the heart of the Amazon without the delay, cost, and complications of transporting samples to bigger labs. 

To achieve this, some of the scientific activities carried out at the Laboratory include sample bio-banking, expanding biological archives for the Amazon rainforest, conservation genomics, safe pathogen screening, and toxicology monitoring of key Amazonian species. These innovations enable targeted biodiversity monitoring that not only enriches our understanding of the Amazon’s unique ecosystems but also plays a crucial role in mitigating zoonotic disease risks.

Following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, zoonotic diseases—those that jump from animals to humans—have become a growing global concern. By studying the intricate relationships between wildlife, pathogens, and their environments, we are helping to identify potential transmission hotspots and support government health agencies in designing preventive measures. This science is essential for protecting local communities and, in our interconnected world, people everywhere.

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Join Us in Innovating for Conservation and Global Health

Scientific exploration and innovation are at the heart of effective conservation. The discovery of Trichophoromyia macrisae and the groundbreaking research taking place at our biological stations illustrate the profound impact of research and its ability to drive meaningful change. However, these advancements are only possible with the support of individuals like you.

Your contribution helps us fund valuable research and maintain cutting-edge facilities like the Wildlife Conservation Laboratory that provide new data and analysis to inform public health strategies and enable us to better understand and predict future health crises.

By supporting Amazon Conservation, you’re not only conserving the Amazon’s unparalleled biodiversity but also fostering discoveries that protect human health and well-being. 

Together, we can ensure that the Amazon remains a source of life, innovation, and hope for generations to come. Let’s create a healthier future for the Amazon and for the whole planet.