In the last two years, radar monitoring has proven to be an especially effective tool in the fight against illegal gold mining in the Amazon. While imaging satellites can be blocked by clouds or smoke, radar technology allows satellites to measure changes on the earth’s surface regardless of cloud cover. In 2021, our Peruvian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA, worked closely with SERVIR-Amazonia to develop and launch a specialized tool called RAMI (Radar Mining Monitoring Tool), which utilizes radar technology to discover illegal mining deforestation as soon as it happens. Since its launch, ACCA has successfully trained government officials, indigenous peoples, and other land defenders in the use of this technology, saving countless acres of forest by enhancing access to actionable information in an unprecedented way.

Now, ACCA is helping to expand the use of this crucial technology to the rest of the Amazon. Peruvian experts recently traveled to the Brazilian state of Pará to work with government employees of SEMAS (Brazil’s Secretary of the Environment and Sustainability) to implement a system for the application of RAMI in the Tapajós region. Sidney Novoa, the Director of GIS at Conservación Amazónica – ACCA (pictured below left), emphasized the similarities between Tapajós in Pará and Madre de Dios in Peru, an area where monitoring technology has been especially effective at mitigating deforestation. The intersection of national parks, indigenous lands, and conservation areas with land designated for mining yields a similar pattern of conflict and confusion regarding land use disputes. However, the similarity also indicates that our knowledge of the tools utility in Madre de Dios should transfer well to Tapajós.

Mauro O’ de Almeida, Secretary of SEMAS, highlighted that the Tapajós region was chosen for the operation of RAMI due to its high illegal gold mining activity. The Secretary hopes that this tool will address the problem of illegal mining in general, a major obstacle to environmental management in Pará, which harms the economy and natural resources.

In this way, the tool will reinforce SEMAS’ strategy for environmental oversight and monitoring, not only to combat illegal mining but also to supervise licensed companies and protect the environment and communities that depend on these natural resources. Additionally, this technology will be shared with other federal agencies in the state of Pará, such as the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and IBAMA (the Brazillian Institute of Environment and Renewable Resources), to strengthen the fight against illegal mining and ensure the sustainability of the Amazon.

 

Our newly published MAAP #189 report shows detection of over 260 major fires that have occurred thus far in 2023. Scientists have indicated that this year’s El Niño has the potential to mimic the last 2016-2017 El Niño episode, which produced the most intense Amazonian fires on record.

According to this report, a majority of these fires (54%) have occurred in the Brazilian Amazon. As for the Bolivian Amazon, 40 major fires were detected, and the vast majority (88%) have been areas that were already recently deforested to make way for new soy plantations. Additionally, 30 major fires were found in the Peruvian Amazon in high-elevation grasslands. In the Columbian Amazon, 50 major fires were detected, 100% of them burning recently deforested areas.

Thanks to our Peruvian sister organization Conservacion Amazonica – ACCA, we’ve been able to base our findings on the unique data from the real-time Amazon Fires Monitoring app they have developed. This app combines atmospheric (aerosol emissions in smoke) and ground data (heat anomaly alerts) to detect major fires in a more efficient and precise manner. This app is able to filter out smaller fires ( e.g. controlled fires for burning crops) from major fires, such as those that were detected in the above-mentioned Amazonian countries.

 

Read the full report here.

 

Staying organized is the key to success – especially in today’s fast-paced world. That’s why Amazon Conservation now has its very own set of printable calendars! Whether you’re keeping track of your professional tasks or daily to-dos, we’ve got the right tools for you. Choose between our weekly or monthly template, designed to keep you on top of your schedule.

Click here to download yours now!

 

This week, the Executive Director of our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA Marcos Terán sat down with representatives of Conservation International and the University Amazónica de Pando, to sign an agreement that will broaden our research capabilities while training a new generation of ecologists in the Amazon at Tahuamanu Research Station (pictured right). For nearly three decades, these 7,680 acres have allowed scientists to discover the rich biodiversity of the Pando Department of Bolivia. Thanks to their work, we know that 15 of Bolivia’s 23 primate species live in the area, including Goeldi’s marmoset (pictured left), an endangered species whose population is expected to decrease 30% in the next 18 years due to habitat loss.

To help maintain population growth among vulnerable species, the Bolivian government formally protected the area in 2017. Since then, Amazon Conservation has worked with the Amazonian University of Pando (UAP) to manage the station and its surrounding land. By coming together to sign an agreement for future investment in Tahuamanu’s management, UAP, Conservación Internacional Bolivia, and Amazon Conservation, have outlined how each organization will contribute to ensuring this station continues to carry out significant research and conservation efforts for generations to come.

Looking forward, Franz Navia, the Dean of the UAP, said at the signing that the agreement would allow them to start construction on a new research center within the next 30 to 45 days. With an updated base of operations, researchers of all levels will gain crucial infrastructure to aid ongoing projects, and more students at UAP will be able to conduct their own research for the first time. “It’s a huge advance for all partners,” Navia said.

Amazon Conservation and our Peruvian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA made a special appearance at this year’s Land & Carbon Lab 2023 Summit, hosted by World Resources Institute (WRI). Our Executive Director John Beavers, along with Conservación Amazónica-ACCA’s Director of Technology for Conservation Sidney Novoa, made the trip to Brussels to present on our ever-growing Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Program (MAAP) and its impact on combatting illegal deforestation across the Amazon.

This year’s Land & Carbon Lab Summit, sponsored by Bezos Earth Fund and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), partnered with leading scientists and technologists to curate best-in-class geospatial data on land use, land use change, and associated carbon stocks and flows, following the theme of “Monitoring Land, Mobilizing Action.” This work builds and expands on Global Forest Watch, which provides high-resolution monitoring of the world’s forests and serves as the basis of the analysis and action propelled by our MAAP initiative.

 

As part of a panel on “Satellite Monitoring of Forest Crime: A Tool for Awareness Raising and Advocacy,” Amazon Conservation presented on how technology meets policy and action through our real-time monitoring MAAP program. Highlights from the presentation include our support of the Peruvian government’s 2019 Operation Mercury and its success in curbing illegal gold mining in La Pampa, the importance of providing technology tools to local communities for them to monitor r own territories safely from the sky, and two case studies of our successful work mobilizing action in the Ecuadorian and Brazilian Amazon.

View the full panel presentation and discussion by visiting here and selecting “Satellite Monitoring of Forest Crime: A Tool for Awareness Raising and Advocacy” under Tuesday, June 27th. Our presentation starts at the 26:30-minute mark.

MAAP #187 gives a detailed look at some of the major 2022 Amazon forest loss hotspots. These hot spots appear present across all 9 countries of the Amazon, and for the first time, we are able to distinguish data between deforestation from fires and deforestation from natural loss. A majority of this loss is present in Brazil (72.8%), followed by Bolivia (12.4%), Peru (7.3%), and Colombia (4.9%)

This report presents both deforestation and fire hotspots across the Amazon. From these findings, the estimated deforestation of 1.98 million hectares (4.89 million acres) in 2022 represents a 21% increase from 2021 and has become the second highest on record since 2004. These deforestation hotspots were mainly concentrated along roads in the Brazilian Amazon, the soy frontier in the southeast Bolivian Amazon, and near protected areas in the northwest Colombian Amazon.

Additionally, 491,223 hectares (1.2 million acres) of primary forest were lost from fires, causing a 1.6% increase from 2021, and has placed as the 4th highest on record. About 93% of these fires impacted Brazil and Bolivia.

In total, 2.47 million hectares (6.1 million acres) of primary forest have been impacted by deforestation and fires. It is estimated that 30.7 million hectares (75.9 acres) of these forests have been lost, which is greater than the size of Italy, or the U.S. state of Arizona.

Read the full report here.

 

 

As we reflect on the messaging from World Rainforest Day last week, we are reminded of the important role of the Amazon as a vital ecosystem that supports a rich array of plant and animal species, while also providing essential environmental services. As the world faces escalating climate change and deforestation challenges, it becomes increasingly crucial to take action to protect and preserve the Amazon. Through our holistic approach towards conservation, Amazon Conservation offers climate-smart and long-term sustainable solutions that have provided real results.

However, we can’t do it alone. Protecting the Amazon rainforest requires collective action and support from individuals around the world. Here are 5 different ways you can support conservation this summer: 

1. Become a Wild Keeper: Our Wild Keepers Monthly Giving Program gives you peace of mind by automating your tax-deductible gifts so you don’t forget to make your contributions and incorporate your charitable contributions into your monthly budget. Plus, when you give every month, you are providing Amazon Conservation with the sustainable support we need to ensure the longevity of our programs on the ground across the rainforest. Join other passionate conservationists in building a community of support that magnifies your real, lasting impact to help fight deforestation and mitigate the impacts of climate change in the Amazon.

2. Donate cryptocurrency or stock: Did you know that we accept donations of cryptocurrency and stock? These methods of giving are a quick and tax-efficient way to support our work, and may even help lower your taxes. Learn more about the benefits of donating cryptocurrency here and find our simple stock tool here.

3. Contribute from your Donor-Advised Fund or a QCD: Contributions from your Donor-Advised Fund or IRA account are another way to support our conservation efforts with funds that have already been set aside for charitable causes. If you are 73 years or older, a QCD to Amazon Conservation also helps you meet your Required Minimum Distributions for the year. Find out more on our Ways to Give page.

4. Help secure the future of the Amazon with your legacy gift to Amazon Conservation: A legacy gift in your will or living trust can help to preserve the Amazon rainforest for generations to come, at no cost to you today. Supporters from 18 to 80 years old can create their free legal will online in only 20 minutes through our partner FreeWill. FreeWill can also be used to create a set of documented wishes to bring to the lawyer’s office, saving you time and money on attorney fees. If you already have a will, consider adding Amazon Conservation as a beneficiary to make your mark on Amazon today. Start your will today.

5. Visit our biological stations: Plan your next trip to the Amazon and see the rainforest for yourself! Located in some of the most biologically diverse regions in the world, our biological stations and ecolodges in Peru and Bolivia offer incredible access to the Amazon and its diverse flora and fauna. All proceeds support our conservation efforts in and around the biological stations. Learn more about our ecolodges and biological stations in Peru or the Tahuamanu Research Station in Bolivia.

By incorporating just one or two of these methods into your summer plans, you are taking a huge step in contributing to the preservation of this invaluable ecosystem. Let us all be responsible stewards of the Amazon and work towards its long-term protection for future generations.

Visit our Ways to Give page for more information about how you can make a difference this summer.

MAAP #185  provides an in-depth analysis of the most recent (2021-2022) gold mining deforestation activities in the Madre de Dios region of Southern Peru. Mining activity in this corridor, officially known as the “Small-scale and Artisanal Mining Zone in the department of Madre de Dios,” can be formal, informal, or illegal.

Gold mining continues to be one of the main causes of deforestation in this region, and in this report, a combination of two types of data are being implemented for the first time: deforestation within the Mining Corridor (a large area delimited by the Peruvian government to organize and promote mining) and deforestation outside the Mining Corridor, which represents our estimate of illegal mining.

In the two areas of study, an estimated total deforestation of 18,421 hectares (45,520 acres) out of a total of a total of 1.38 million hectares has occurred due to gold mining in the southern Peruvian Amazon from 2021-2022.

A majority of this mining-related deforestation (76.6%, or 14,117 hectares) occurred within the Mining Corridor, while the remaining 23.4% (4,304 hectares) took place outside the Mining Corridor.

Compared to Operation Mercury (2017-2018) from years prior, mining-related deforestation has approximately decreased 4.5% (866 hectares). Additionally, mining outside the corridor has reduced from 47.7% to 23.4%, while concentration within the corridor increased from 52.3 to 76.6%.

Read the full MAAP report here.

We are excited to announce that our Manu Biological Station in Peru will feature brand new facilities in the shape of the Thomas Lovejoy Molecular Biology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Laboratory, created in memory of renowned scientist and former Amazon Conservation Board Member Thomas Lovejoy. 

Tom has been a member of Amazon Conservation’s Board of Directors since 2009 and helped guide the strategic vision and direction of our organization. Since the 70s, he played a prominent role in establishing the Amazon as a global priority by being a long-time advocate in conservation, receiving many awards for his contributions and accomplishments to the field. He is credited for coining the term “biodiversity.” In honor of his many achievements, we are delighted to announce that this new laboratory will be up and running in September 2023. 

Our Founder Adrian Forsyth had many experiences with Tom in the rainforest, sharing that “Tom worked tirelessly until his last days in December 2021.” 

Alejandro Lopera, Manager of our Manu Biological Station, elaborates on the importance of this new laboratory, stating that “the Thomas Lovejoy Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory seeks to fill an existing gap in molecular biology research. The lack of infrastructure, research capacity, and scarcity of funds are obstacles that often prevent the advancement of research in Peru.”

This new Laboratory will provide ample resources for molecular studies including barcoding, metabarcoding, and Environmental DNA using Nanopore® technology, mercury analysis, and respirometry and thermal tolerance. In addition to a general laboratory, the building will also contain a photography room, a terrace for events, a digital herbarium and semi-permanent collections of insects and fish, and the Tom Lovejoy garden full of edible and attractive plants for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Alejandro goes in-depth on the role of this lab in research practices: “The lab has four main goals: first, to train local researchers in otherwise inaccessible molecular tools. Second, to have an on-site facility for DNA, eDNA, and mercury analysis. Third, to contribute with genetic sequences of the species that inhabit the Andes to the lowlands of the Amazon in collaboration with the University of Guelph and the IBOL platform. Finally, to offer researchers the unique opportunity to study in real-time the pressures and threats that affect the state of health of organisms and their habitats in the Amazon, which would not be possible to understand in a short space of time with other methodologies.”

The Thomas Lovejoy Molecular Biology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Laboratory will serve as a fitting tribute to Thomas Lovejoy’s contributions to conservation biology and environmental science. By highlighting his work and his life, the facility can inspire and train future generations to follow in his footsteps and make similar contributions. The station’s promotion of biodiversity will not only educate visitors about its importance, but also encourage them to take measures to protect it and help build community connections, foster a sense of shared purpose and identity, and promote a more environmentally conscious and sustainable community.

This project has been made possible by the generosity of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Fiddlehead Foundation.

Aspiring to make a lasting positive impact but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! Our Wild Keepers monthly giving program gives individuals the opportunity to join a community of conservationists, activists, and wildlife enthusiasts working together to protect the vital resources and biodiversity of the Amazon.

When it comes to protecting wild places and empowering people in the Amazon, the range of threats and drivers jeopardizing the future of these forests may make finding effective solutions seem intimidating. However, Amazon Conservation knows that protecting the Amazon requires real change and long-term solutions, which in turn require the sustained support of a team of changemakers committed to achieving our shared mission.

Our team of Wild Keepers provides ongoing monthly contributions that create a sustainable and impactful support system that provides a solid foundation for our work. By becoming a Wild Keeper today, you help advance our long-term conservation objectives and ensure your contributions make a real difference. 

Here are some of the unique impacts of our Wild Keepers program: 

 

• Consistency and long-term impact: Regular contributions ensure a steady and predictable stream of funding for our conservation programs. This stability allows us and the people we work with on the ground to plan projects more effectively, knowing we have a reliable source of support over time. By joining a monthly giving program, you become a vital partner in these long-term efforts that empower local people and make a sustained impact on the causes you care about.

 

• Increased giving power: As a Wild Keeper, you have the opportunity to give more over time. Since a larger one-time donation is not always feasible for everyone, contributing a feasible amount each month can add up to a substantial gift over the course of a year. This allows you to amplify impact over time without straining your budget. Since you’re also contributing to a pool of resources through the power of collective giving, our Wild Keepers help fund significant projects, drive innovation, and create lasting change across the Amazon.

 

• Convenience and ease: Our monthly giving program makes supporting a cause easy and convenient. Once you set up your monthly contribution, your contributions are automated, saving you the time and effort of remembering to donate or going through the hassle of filling out forms repeatedly. This simplicity allows you to focus on the impact you are making rather than the logistics of donating. 

 

• Empowerment and engagement: Joining our Wild Keepers program goes beyond the act of giving; it also empowers you to actively participate in the causes you care about. By aligning yourself with other Wild Keepers, you become part of a community of like-minded individuals who share the common vision of a thriving Amazon that sustains the full diversity of life. This community provides opportunities for engagement that deepen your connection to Amazon Conservation and allows you to see the direct impact of your support.

 

• Direct program benefits: Being a Wild Keeper means you’ll also have access to exclusive program benefits, including Wild Keeper-specific emails, news, and updates from the ground; local events; discounts to visit our Conservation Hubs and ecolodges in Peru; and participate in quarterly giveaways of unique handicrafts made by local artisans from the communities who thrive from your support. Learn more about these and other program benefits here.

 

So consider becoming a Wild Keeper today to take a stand to help fight deforestation and climate change. Join other passionate conservationists in building a transformative force for positive change. Together, we have the power to create a real, lasting impact on the Amazon!

Become a Wild Keeper Today! >