Deforestation in Chiribiquete National Park (MAAP #101). Credit: FCDS/RFN/AAF.

From day one, Amazon Conservation has combined the power of technology and locally-driven action to combat deforestation across the Amazon. In 2015, we launched our Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Program (MAAP) to provide real-time actionable data using the latest in satellite technology to help stop deforestation threats that harm forests and the people that reside within them. 

In recent efforts to expand our monitoring and action work across the Amazon through MAAP, we are partnering with local civil society organizations and private foundations to elevate our presence in Colombia. We recently received generous support from The Overbrook Foundation to detect and act upon these deforestation threats, in partnership with the Fundación para la Conservación y el Desarrollo Sostenible (FCDS), a prestigious NGO that will be key in sharing our actionable data with local authorities. Our goal is to lead to real, swift action against illegal deforestation. 

Lead Environmental Advisor to The Overbrook Foundation Daniel Katz shared that “the Overbrook Foundation is proud to support Amazon Conservation and its MAAP initiative to prevent illegal deforestation in Colombia. MAAP’s capabilities for tracking deforestation in real-time, along with the knowledge on who to share this information with, provides palpable tools for saving biodiversity and forests.”

This work and partnerships in Colombia are vital as deforestation remains elevated and threatens protected areas. As our MAAP #187 reported in 2022, the Colombian Amazon lost 97,417 hectares of primary forest to deforestation, and fires directly impacted an additional 12,880 hectares. Combined, the forest loss was equivalent to losing the entirety of the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado. Deforestation decreased 2% from 2021 but remained relatively high (5th highest on record), continuing the trend of elevated forest loss since the FARC peace agreement in 2016.

By working with government entities and local NGOs, Amazon Conservation aims to combine MAAP information with government capacity to understand satellite evidence of environmental crimes to apply the law, helping build a strong foundation to strengthen the efforts and institutions Colombia needs to stop illegal deforestation more effectively. 

We are grateful for The Overbrook Foundation’s generosity and support for our initiatives in the Colombian Amazon, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together through MAAP. 

Want to support MAAP or our work in the Colombian Amazon too?

Click here to learn more >

As we enter a fast-growing digital landscape, many organizations and non-profits have begun exploring new ways to secure funding to broaden their impact. Earlier this year, we implemented a new donation tool called The Giving Block that streamlines cryptocurrency and stock donations to Amazon Conservation. Cryptocurrency and stock donations have now become powerful tools that reshape the way charitable contributions are made, providing tax benefits that non-cash donations offer. 

Why did we decide to start accepting these donation methods? Accepting cryptocurrency and stock donations can be highly beneficial for both us and donors.

• Diversifying Donation Methods: Accepting cryptocurrencies and stock donations can help us become less reliant on traditional forms of fundraising, creating a more stable and secure financial base
• Lower Fees and Transaction Costs: There are often lower fees in cryptocurrency transactions and stock donations compared to traditional banking and credit card transactions, meaning more of the donation can go directly to our conservation work rather than a third-party holder
• Potential for High Donations: Some stocks and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have had significant increases in their value over time. Especially with crypto, those who contribute could donate more than what they traditionally would in regular currency donations, especially if these assets have been held for a while
• Donor Tax Benefits: In some countries, donating cryptocurrency or stock can have tax advantages for the donor. By accepting these kinds of donations, we now have the potential to attract donors who are looking for ways to maximize their charitable contributions while optimizing their tax liabilities
• Transparency and Accountability: Blockchain technology  can help secure and publicly verify digital transactions, allowing donors to see how exactly their contributions are being used by us, and thus creating trust with the donor
• Appeal to Younger Demographics: Accepting cryptocurrency and stock donations can be seen as a modernized approach to tech-savvy and younger donors familiar with digital currencies and assets, helping us reach out to a demographic that may not be used to traditional fundraising and donation methods

While there are many beneficial reasons for us to accept crypto and stock donations, we acknowledge that we must consider the volatility of the value of these assets. For more information on our cryptocurrency and stock donations, please visit our page here to learn more. 

Our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA is celebrating its 12-year anniversary this October. Celebrations began at the end of last month with a cocktail party for the organization’s team, diplomatic corps, and allied organizations at their headquarters in La Paz, Bolivia. ACEAA has been a part of our alliance (including our other sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA in Peru) from its beginning and has enacted a joint mission of sustainably managing territorial spaces in the Amazon, generating knowledge and capacities with local communities and workers to help conserve biodiverse ecosystems.

Since its foundation in 2011, ACEAA has carried out its conservation efforts throughout more than 30 million hectares in the Bolivian Amazon, covering three departments: Beni, La Paz, and Pando. This diverse landscape is home to a variety of ecosystems included within the Amazon basin, from the headwaters and heights of the Andes mountain range, passing through different types of forests to the grasslands and wetlands of the Beni. These landscapes provide essential tools to governments and local stakeholders to empower communities to develop sustainable livelihoods in harmony with forests.

In addition to the many programs that have helped conserve the greater Amazon, ACEAA plays an active role in supporting local initiatives to strategize sustainable forest use through its support for the creation of the Inter-Institutional Platform for Articulation of Amazonian Fruit Productive Complexes PICFA, a platform for public-private coordination to strengthen the production of Amazonian fruits in Pando, and The Federation of Asaí and Amazonian Fruits of the department of Pando (FEDAFAP), an organization of Acai fruit workers and institutes to maintain and promote sustainable production practices.

Against all odds, this team continues to envision a thriving Amazon that supports the full diversity of life. Today, more than ever, it is critical that we, as global citizens, unite to protect this natural treasure. Our goal as an alliance is to create a more sustainable way forward. Together, we can ensure a prosperous future for the Amazon, a region vital to life on our planet. Let us continue to work towards preserving this priceless heritage and ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and richness of the Amazon.

Thank you to all our supporters who have helped support our alliance throughout the years. Your efforts will not go unnoticed, and we greatly appreciate all those who help us conserve some of the greatest forests on earth.

If you love our work then tell the world! Stories about us from people like you will help us make an even bigger impact in our community. At Amazon Conservation, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world and serving our community with unwavering commitment. We believe in transparency, accountability, and fostering trust with our supporters. That’s why we’re asking you, our valued supporters, for your help in spreading the word about our work.

GreatNonprofits is a trusted platform where people can share their experiences with nonprofits and help others discover organizations that are making a difference. The platform honors highly regarded nonprofits with their 2023 Top-Rated List. Will you help us raise visibility and credibility for our work by posting a brief story of your experience with us?

Why are reviews important?

• Trust and credibility: Positive reviews from supporters like you can build trust with potential donors, volunteers, and partners. It’s like a personal recommendation that can convince others of the authenticity and impact of our work.
• Visibility: More reviews mean better visibility on GreatNonprofits and other platforms. This increased visibility can lead to more supporters finding out about our organization, which in turn can help us raise more funds and accomplish our mission.
• Feedback and improvement: Reviews also provide us with valuable feedback. While we appreciate your support, we’re always striving to improve and do better. Honest reviews can highlight areas where we excel and where we can make improvements.

How can you help?

• Write a review: Visit our profile on GreatNonprofits and share your thoughts and experiences. Be specific about how we’ve made a positive impact on you, the community, or the planet. Your unique perspective matters.
• Spread the word: Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues who support us to write reviews as well. The more voices we have, the stronger our message becomes.
• Share on social media: If you’re comfortable, share your review on your social media channels to further amplify our cause.
• Engage with others: Engage with other reviewers and comment on their reviews. This shows that our community is active and engaged, further enhancing our credibility.

Remember that your words have the power to inspire others and drive positive change. By writing a review for us on GreatNonprofits, you’re helping us achieve our mission to ensure a thriving Amazon and a better planet for future generations. 

We at Amazon Conservation are grateful for every supporter who joins us in our mission, and we look forward to reading your reviews on GreatNonprofits.

Marcos Terán, director of our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA, recently visited the Municipality of Bolpebra in Pando, Bolivia to sign an agreement that would call for inter-institutional cooperation with their Autonomous government to enact sustainable management of forests, strengthen capacities of local organizations, and formulate projects to better improve territory management. Similar to Bolpebra, the municipality of Ingavi has also signed an agreement that expressed their interest in their own vision of comprehensive forest management, with the premise of conserving their natural spaces and promoting adequate use of their natural resources. ACEAA began to work with both Municipal Governments upon signing the established cooperation agreements.

Among the key elements of these sustainable objectives, both municipalities aim to work together at maintaining the conservation of nature for the benefit of local communities. Such efforts include helping local organizations maintain the ecological balance and control of environmental pollution, promote the sustainable use of water resources, and provide water for irrigation and for human consumption. 

These agreements will later serve as a foundation in support of achieving, through a strategic alliance, the development of synergies for the implementation of actions, planning projects, and comprehensive management of natural resources, as well as actions aimed towards conservation in these municipalities.

Based on previous reports (e.g.  MAAP #188), the Peruvian Amazon is facing massive deforestation by Mennonite colonies. 

Our latest publication from MAAP #192 demonstrates through very high-resolution satellite imagery (0.5 meters from Planet’s Skysat fleet) that these Mennonite colonies (Chipiar, Providencia, and Vanderland), located in the regions of Loreto and Ucayali, caused the large scale destruction of primary forests.

By comparing a series of these high resolution images across multiple Mennonite colony areas, it is confirmed that Mennonites are actively responsible for clearing primary forests in 2023.

Read the full report here>

From August 24th – 26th, our Peruvian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA brought together professionals with experience in administrative, constitutional, environmental, forestry, and criminal law to hold the theoretical-practical workshop on “Strengthening for Environmental Judges of the Amazonian Environmental Justice System.” This presentational workshop was co-organized with the National Commission for Environmental Management – Judiciary and with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation – Norad and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative – NICFI.

This workshop was aimed at helping environmental judges in Amazonian regions homogenize their knowledge of criminal and administrative law within the environmental forestry branch and in the management of technological tools to strengthen the justice system when it comes to tackling crimes against natural resources. The president of the National Commission for Environmental Management of the Judiciary (PJ), Supreme Judge Iris Pacheco Huancas, warned that Amazon is facing serious issues from organized crime, which requires a strong, and properly trained justice system to be handled.

Judges from the superior courts of Madre de Dios, Ucayali, Loreto, and Lima participated in the commencement of the workshop where they highlighted leading threats by environmental crimes such as illegal mining, forestry crimes, and various related crimes such as money laundering, human trafficking, tax fraud and others. For these reasons, Justice Huancas noted that current times pose new challenges to judges, and by providing knowledge and understanding, these judges can effectively apply the corresponding tools and regulations, thus guaranteeing the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of society and the environment.

Nestled within the heart of the world’s most diverse rainforest, the Amazon basin offers more than just a breathtaking display of biodiversity. Among its lush foliage and winding waterways is a treasure trove of unique and exotic fruits. These Amazonian fruits offer not only a burst of vibrant flavors, but also a rich cultural, ecological, and economic significance.

Fruits are a vital product in facilitating local and regional markets across the Amazon Basin. Production of these fruits can greatly affect local livelihoods, and improve the stability of communities, governments, and buyers. For instance, to support local producers and buyers, our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica-ACEAA supported the launch of a major inter-institutional platform called the Inter-Institutional Platform for the Articulation of Amazonian Fruit Production Complexes (PICFA), that helps producers inform and coordinate more seamlessly with government institutions whose policy decisions can to react to changes in the market, climate, and other issues. This platform brings together sustainable producers, buyers, governments, local non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders across the department of Pando in Bolivia, to provide vital updates and information important for maintaining the quality of the fruit market processes.

These Amazonian fruits produced by many associations ACEAA works with have been revered for their potential health benefits, boasting a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants that offer a glimpse into the intricate relationship between the rainforest ecosystem and human well-being. We’ll explore the unique flavors of these nutritional powerhouses and how they contribute to the overall health of consumers.

Brazil Nut

These flagship products come from the Madre de Dios region in Peru, where there is a high concentration of trees for harvesting at an economic scale. They are the only species in the global nut market whose production is not cultivated, and can only be harvested in the wild. Harvesting season is between December through March, and can be eaten raw, or toasted.

Nutrients: Selenium, vitamin E, copper, linoleic acid, magnesium

Açaí

Açaí berries are produced in dense branch clusters called ‘panicles’ that contain 500 to 900 fruits each. There is also a green variety called Açaí Tinga that only grows in one Amazon estuary. Asaí Euterpre Precatoria is the species most found in the Bolivian Amazon and has a greater concentration of nutrients. These special fruits have a small window for freshness once harvested, which is why imported Açaí products are often found in powdered or frozen forms. Recently, the growth in Açaí’s popularity predicts the market for this product to reach 1.7 billion by 2028

Nutrients: vitamins A, C and E, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper

Cacao

You may know Cacao as a wonderful source of chocolate, but did you know it also is one of the richest antioxidants on earth? These tropical fruits grow in altitudes of 30 – 300 m, and its trees produce roughly 70 fruits annually. There are two ‘flush’ harvesting seasons that last from October to February, and May to August. Upon harvesting, its seeds are fermented for 1-7 before being dried, roasted, and either ground to a powder or winnowed into nibs. Not only is cacao useful for consumption, but cacao trees are also considered a shade crop that provides habitat for other plants and animals.

Nutrients: Potassium, antioxidants, Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Manganese

Aguaje

Aguaje is the fruit of the Moriche palm found throughout swamps across South America. The fruit offers a variety of flavor combinations, being sweet, salty, and mildly acidic. Some describe the taste as being similar to carrots when eaten raw. The palm goes by various names based on the country, including canangucho (Colombia), morete (Ecuador), or aguaje (Peru), and Palma Real (Bolivia).

These fruits have been harvested for thousands of years and continue to be one of the most regionally popular fruits within the jungle market. In previous years, the trees were cut down upon harvesting, but conservationists have worked to provide climbing harnesses to allow for a more sustainable and efficient method of harvesting.

Nutrients: vitamins A, E, and C, Manganese, Copper

Copoazú

Also known as cupuaçu, Copoazú is the national fruit of Brazil. This fruit is closely related to Cacao and emits an aroma of pineapple and chocolate when opened. Many have described it as tasting similar to chocolate with notes of tropical melon flavors. The seed can also be harvested to make butter that is good for skin and hair health.

Nutrients: Vitamin C, linoleic acid, antioxidants, iron, calcium, vitamin B3, and pectin.

Learn more about these fruits and the function of PICFA>

In 2017, Mennonite colonies began appearing in various regions of the Peruvian Amazon. Mennonites are a global religious group starting around the 1600s and often rely on agriculture as an industrialized activity.

Based on a number of reports, Mennonites have now become one of the major drivers of deforestation across the Peruvian and Bolivian Amazon. There is a significant amount of evidence showing that this mass-scale deforestation is illegal, and is being investigated by the Peruvian government.

Over 7,000 hectares (17,376 acres) have already been deforested by 5 Mennonite colonies since 2017, and an additional 1,600 burned. In total, more than ⅓ of this destruction has occurred from January 2022 to August 2023.

MAAP is currently using the information from these reports to identify specific colonies and gain more insight on the exact scale of negative forest impacts. 

Read the full report here>

Earlier this month, representatives from eight South American countries came together for the first time in 14 years for the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) summit. These renewed meetings hosted by the previously dormant organization show the rebirth of a movement to stop deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest on a multinational scale. Brazilian President Lula Da Silva highlighted that deforestation in Brazil has already decreased by an astounding 66% in one year, and hopes to continue efforts in protecting the continent’s vast, diverse forests that not only house incredibly diverse species, but local and indigenous communities that depend on its natural resources.

Regional leaders of Amazonian countries convened in Belém, Brazil for this special session, and although the meeting of powers did not result in any hard deadlines or funding strategies, the summit allowed for the drafting of the Belém Declaration, containing 113 points of consensus on how to strengthen ACTO in the future while outlining key objectives of the organization. To the delight of many, one major focus of the Declaration was the protection of indigenous rights and the need to amplify indigenous voices in regional governance.  The agreement calls for an Amazon-wide institution to facilitate communication between indigenous communities and national governments as well as investment in education programs in the Amazon centered around indigenous knowledge and empowerment. In line with other international agreements such as the Escazú Agreement and the Leticia Pact, this declaration reaffirms the importance of protecting the rights of indigenous communities. 

Many environmental groups hope the Belém talks are laying the groundwork for future cooperation and regional solidarity in international forums. Another summit occurring simultaneously, United for Our Forests, saw the 8 Amazonian nations join with other rainforest countries in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, to advocate for developing nations to provide $100 billion in climate financing immediately, and $200 billion by 2030. Additionally, A united front of Amazonian nations at COP 28 may be more likely to succeed in securing international funding to halt deforestation. Between the United for Our Forests request, and lack of deadlines in the Belém Declaration, Amazonian nations seem to be signaling that they are willing to implement change, but need more financial resources to begin substantial, multilateral projects. 

Despite progress being made, some observers are calling for more concrete measures to be taken. The Brazilian Indigenous People Articulation (APIB) called the result of the summit ‘frustrating,’ and demanded that politicians back up rhetoric with demarcation of indigenous lands. Still, Belém represents a vital first step in expanding international conservation efforts across the Amazon. With the groundwork laid for greater cooperation, we can hope for greater regional alignment and progress in future international negotiations.