Illegal gold mining continues to grow exponentially across the Amazon Basin, crossing the borders of the nine countries it encompasses, and causing far-reaching environmental and social impacts everywhere it reaches. 

“Gold mining has become a transnational activity that affects the Amazon at scale,” said Andrés Santana, Senior Manager for Combating Illegal Deforestation at Amazon Conservation. “Addressing it effectively requires coordinated action between local organizations, Indigenous leaders, scientific institutions, and governments that goes beyond national borders.”

With this shared understanding, Amazon Conservation hosted a high-impact forum in Bogotá, Colombia, with representatives from our network of local partners to strengthen regional coordination to combat illegal gold mining through science, collaboration, and collective action.

From January 28 to 30, technology, policy, and communications experts from seven Amazonian countries had the rare opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another, and advance a shared approach to address Amazon-wide gold mining deforestation, grounded in common methodologies and lessons learned.

Building on Amazon Conservation’s efforts to date to halt deforestation, our team highlighted the tools and advances that are driving progress, including Amazon Mining Watch, a new AI-based monitoring platform created jointly with Earth Genome and the Pulitzer Center, and stronger ongoing analysis from the satellite monitoring experts at our Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP). 

Representatives from our partners Conservación Amazónica-ACCA, Conservación Amazónica-ACEAA, Amazon Conservation Team, Conservation Strategy Fund, Federación Nativa del Río Madre de Dios y Afluentes (FENAMAD), Fundación EcoCiencia, Fundación para la Conservación y el Desarrollo Sostenible (FCDS), Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV), and Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) shared monitoring innovations in each country and how they are converting data into action on the ground.

For Fundación EcoCiencia, the forum reinforced why collaboration across the entire Amazon is essential. “We can’t address these threats in isolation,” said Jorge Villa, MAAP Coordinator at Fundación EcoCiencia. “Working together at an Amazon-wide level allows us to learn from what has worked and what has not, and to better engage governments across countries to combat illegal mining more effectively.”

Sessions at a glance

The technical and policy sessions were focused on strengthening regional responses to illegal gold mining across the Amazon. Topics included real-time monitoring with Amazon Mining Watch and MAAP, the use of mining impact assessment tools, coordination protocols with government 

authorities, Indigenous and civil society-led monitoring experiences, country-level responses to illegal mining, and comparative analysis of mining policies across the Amazon basin, including emerging trends in Suriname and Guyana.

The event also included a dedicated communication and advocacy session focused on strengthening the translation of scientific analyses into awareness, education, and activism to drive greater policy and field action. Representatives from the Pulitzer Center and the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS) shared successful case studies to showcase the role of investigative journalism, strategic storytelling, and data-driven narratives to inform public opinion and influence decision-making. Building on each other’s experience, participants took vital steps to develop a common communication strategy to support coordinated advocacy and policy efforts at national and pan-Amazonian scales. By bringing together fellow civil society organizations, Indigenous leaders, and technical experts, the forum marked an important step toward deeper regional collaboration to combat illegal gold mining and protect the Amazon.

This forum was made possible by generous support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Drawing on 24 years of satellite data, the analysis maps gold-mining deforestation across the country and shows recent incursions into protected areas.

A new analysis by Amazon Conservation Association’s Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP), combining over two decades’ worth of satellite data with recent AI monitoring results from Amazon Mining Watch, reveals that gold mining has impacted an estimated 92,000 hectares (approximately 227,000 acres) of forest in Suriname over the past 24 years, an area larger than New York City.

Just as similar MAAP analyses have revealed rapid expansions of gold mining across the Amazon in countries such as Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, the data now show a comparable pattern emerging in Suriname.

Using high-resolution satellite imagery dating back to 2001, this report provides the first comprehensive, data-driven assessment focused exclusively on deforestation caused by gold mining activities in the Surinamese Amazon. The long-term historical analysis is based on data from the University of Maryland, while evidence of new mining activity is provided by Amazon Mining Watch, a recently launched AI platform developed through a partnership between Amazon Conservation Association, Earth Genome, and the Rainforest Investigations Network of the Pulitzer Center, with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. A gold mining path is clearly visible in the satellite images. 

Approximately 3,000 hectares (equivalent to 7,400 acres) of new gold mining deforestation have been detected over the past five years, with activity increasingly encroaching on protected areas. In recent years, nearly 10% of Brownsberg Nature Park has been affected by mining-driven deforestation, while Brinckheuvel Nature Reserve is beginning to experience a mining invasion, highlighting growing pressure on conservation areas.

“The intensifying gold mining deforestation in Suriname is particularly concerning,” notes Matt Finer, Senior Research Specialist and Director of Amazon Conservation Association’s MAAP initiative. “It reflects the same expanding pattern that we have heavily documented in other Amazonian countries, including Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. This deforestation is having a devastating impact on many iconic protected areas such as Brownsberg Nature Park.”

Turning Information into Action

These findings have already contributed to ongoing dialogues with key decision makers in Suriname. A confidential report based on this analysis was shared with the Surinamese government, helping inform discussions on responses to illegal gold mining in the region. According to Finer, “this type of precise monitoring is essential for enabling authorities and partners on the ground to respond more effectively to illegal mining and prevent irreversible environmental damage.” In response to this report and related information, the Suriname government has indicated plans to tighten its approach to illegal gold mining in Brownsberg Nature Park.

This analysis was developed in collaboration with Amazon Conservation Association’s local partner, Amazon Conservation Team, and was generously made possible by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Read the full report here: https://www.maapprogram.org/gold-mining-suriname/ 

About Amazon Conservation Association, MAAP, and Amazon Mining Watch

Amazon Conservation is an international conservation nonprofit that has worked for more than 25 years to build a thriving Amazon. Its holistic approach focuses on partnering with local organizations and allies to protect wild places, empower people, and put science and technology to work for conservation.

As part of Amazon Conservation’s efforts to use the latest in science and technology for conservation, the organization leads initiatives such as the Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP) and Amazon Mining Watch. MAAP provides cutting-edge, real-time technical analysis to report on the most urgent cases of deforestation and fires across the Amazon, using the latest satellite-based technology, and produces pan-Amazonian reports on basin-wide issues – such as unsustainable infrastructure, agricultural expansion, and climate change impacts – to drive conservation and policy action. Amazon Mining Watch, a collaboration between Amazon Conservation Association, Earth Genome, and the Pulitzer Center, complements this work by integrating near-real-time AI-based detection of new gold mining activity with land-designation and policy data, helping assess whether mining is likely unauthorized or illegal, and estimating the socio-environmental costs of mining impacts for a more robust analysis. Together, these tools strengthen transparency, accountability, and decision-making to help protect priority areas in the Amazon before irreversible damage occurs.

For more information, visit amazonconservation.org.

Press Contacts

Priscila Steffen, Communications & Public Relations Manager: info@amazonconservation.org.

New Year. Renewed Commitment. Join Us.

The start of a new year always brings a quiet moment to take stock of what matters, what we want to stand for, and where we choose to put our energy. As someone who cares deeply about our planet, you already know the difference dedicated individuals can make. As we embrace this fresh chapter and reflect on our resolutions, now is the perfect time to renew your commitment to protecting the world’s most important ecosystem: the Amazon Rainforest.

The Amazon is vital in stabilizing the global climate and home to irreplaceable biodiversity. It influences weather patterns across continents, stores immense amounts of carbon, and holds cultural traditions that have long protected these forests. Your commitment to keeping the Amazon standing helps strengthen this vital work.

Here are a few meaningful ways to turn your resolutions into action this year:

1. Visit the Amazon: Experiencing the Amazon firsthand can be transformative. If you’re able to, visiting community‑run lodges, research stations, or conservation areas allows you to learn directly from the people who know the forest best. Your presence supports local economies, uplifts community‑led tourism, and deepens your understanding of what’s at stake. Thoughtful, responsible travel can be a powerful way to connect your values with real places and real people. Plan your 2026 visit to our eco-lodges.
2. Amplify Awareness: One of the most meaningful first steps is helping more people understand why the Amazon matters and why this work matters to you. Consider creating a personal fundraiser and sharing your own connection to Amazon Conservation. A clear goal, a short message, and a photo make your fundraiser feel personal and relevant to your community, and your voice can inspire others to get involved. You can also share credible information and stories from Amazon Conservation to spark conversations and broaden awareness of what’s at stake.
3. Strengthen Our Roots: Sustained giving is the backbone of long‑term conservation. A monthly gift helps protect forests, support sustainable livelihood opportunities, and advance the research that guides effective action. By joining our Wild Keepers monthly giving program, you become part of a community of nature advocates working together to create steady, reliable impact.
4. Make a plan for the future. Creating an estate plan is a powerful way to care for the people, pets, places, and causes that matter most. Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can access a trusted, easy‑to‑use platform to create your will at no cost to you today. It’s a simple step that brings peace of mind and ensures your values carry forward. Start your plan today.
5. Engage and Empower: Indigenous and local communities lead some of the most effective conservation efforts in the Amazon. Supporting programs that provide tools, training, and resources strengthens their ability to protect their forests, families, and livelihoods. Tax‑smart giving options, such as a stock donation, grant from your Donor-Advised Fund, or a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), are a great way to maximize your impact.

By embracing these resolutions and taking intentional steps, you can help make 2026 a year of meaningful progress for the Amazon. Your actions today contribute to a future where this extraordinary forest continues to thrive for generations to come.

Thank you for making conservation part of your year.

Stay connected with us and follow our work via our Amazon Conservation email newsletter, and join us on social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) for updates, stories, and new opportunities to get involved.

Here’s to a year of action, hope, and lasting impact for the planet!

As our 25th anniversary year comes to a close, we are reflecting not only on the forests we’ve protected but also on the people who inspire this work. These are the people who made this journey possible, the loved ones who inspired gifts in their honor or memory. Each donation tells a story of legacy, love, and values carried forward into the future.

One of the most heartfelt ways supporters have chosen to give is through tribute gifts, or donations made in honor or memory of someone special. They are more than donations; they are a way to say “thank you,” “I appreciate you,” or “your values live on through me.” 

And during the holiday season, they’re also a beautiful, last‑minute gift idea. Instead of wrapping another item, you can surprise a loved one with a donation in their name that protects forests and uplifts communities.

Why Tribute Gifts Shine During the Holidays

• A perfect last‑minute gift. No shipping delays, no wrapping paper, just a heartfelt surprise that arrives instantly.
• A gift with impact. Tribute gifts protect forests and empower communities, carrying forward values that matter.
• A gift that honors relationships. Whether in memory or in honor, it’s a way to celebrate the people who inspire you.

How You Can Make Your Tribute

If you want to make a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one, you can do so at any time by checking the box labeled “Dedicate this donation” on our donation page. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays, honor someone important in your life, and protect forests for the future.

You and your community are helping us protect forests, uplift communities, and carry forward legacies that matter.

Stories of Honor and Memory

In preparation for our 25th anniversary this year, we invited donors like you to make a tribute gift in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one. Each gift carries a story to share with our community of conservationists, and we want to share those stories with you:

• In honor of Amy Rosenthal, from Pamela Rosenthal.
• In honor of Agiimaa Kruchkin, from Jonathan Bryan.
• In honor of Annika Haftenberger, from Leander Haftenberger.
• In honor of Ben Estep.
• In honor of Ben Tamir, from Tali Klein.
• In honor and appreciation of Benjamin Levy, from Judy M. Huey.
• In honor and admiration of Betty Dvorsin, from Judy M. Huey.
• In honor of Birgitta Silfverhielm.
• In memory of Bobby Berenson.
• In memory of Bobbie Hamilton, from Thomas E. Hamilton.
• In honor of Brendon.
• In memory of Camilo Gaitan, from Juliana Achury.
• In honor of Carole and Jay Pershing, from Mary Pershing.
• In honor of Célèste, from Isabelle Sene.
• In honor of Charliy Erber.
• In honor of Chico.
• In honor of Chloe O’Gara, from Kate Malachowski.
• In honor of Christine Stinette, from Nicole Ford.
• In honor of Christopher Morris.
• In honor of Dana Novotny, from Michael R. Dalton.
• In memory of David Kappel, from Arlene Roth.
• In honor of Dominic Bianchi, from Gloria Paul.
• In honor of Don and Heather Ross, from Jenna Ross.
• In honor of Dorothy Tobin, from Benita J. Stambler.
• In honor of Draco Lawrence, from Anisa Valdez.
• In honor of Ed Esposito, from Stephen A. Esposito.
• In honor of Edith Kleiner, from Jillian Kleiner.
• In honor of Elijah Bradley, from Cami Bradley.
• In honor of Eliza, Georgia, and Katherine, from Lydia Shrestha.
• In honor of Eliza Rey, from Kenneth Swearengen.
• In honor of Engineers for a Sustainable World at UT Austin, from Suveda Sannidhi.
• In honor of Eric Baker and Bridget, Andy, Harriet, and Imogen Baker-White, from Bernadette M. Baker.
• In honor of Mr. Erik Baity, from Reginald Beatty.
• In honor of Eva Breznik, from Dejan Mec.
• In honor of Fated to Love You, a Chasing the Comet novel, from Kayla Cunningham.
• In honor of “The Fellas,” from David Yarus.
• In honor of Gastronzo, from Simona Ciccarini.
• In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Baity, from Reginald Beatty.
• In honor of Grace Auyeung, from John C. Webster.
• In honor of Grandmother Ayahuasca, from Asger Hallgreen.
• In memory of Gustavo Fonesca, from Katrina Carter.
• In honor of Heather Hutchison, from Diane Richmond.
• In honor of Helene Lange, from Maximilian Muhle.
• In honor of Ida and Senai, from Sanya Folkesson.
• In honor of Indigo Maazel, from Fiona Maazel.
• In honor of James Briggs, from Pauline Sainsbury.
• In honor of Jane, from Peggy Holton.
• In memory of Jane Bachman, from Paul Bachman.
• In honor of Jane Vondrashek, from Cathy Geist.
• In honor of Jess and Rachel Riddle.
• In honor of Jill Caviglia-Harris, from Maria J. Gonzalez Ramirez.
• In memory of Jim “Jimmy” Parlee, from Mary E. Patterson.
• In honor of Jo Butterworth, from Joe Butterworth.
• In honor of Joe Slowbo.
• In memory of Dr. John W. Aiken, Friend and Mentor, from Tony Tomei.
• In honor of Joshua Brunisholz.
• In honor of Dr. Katrin Schrenk-Siemens.
• In honor of Kierstin Sieser.
• In honor of Kiyoka Akimoto, from Michael Jitosho.
• In honor of Lao Ye, from Evelyn Cao.
• In honor of Lauren, Oliver, Nastasia, Bibi, and Dani, from Pascal Besman.
• In memory of Lauren Avezzie, from The Lauren E. Avezzie Charitable Foundation.
• In honor of Liam Neeley-Brown, from Andrew Schaefer.
• In honor of Lilli Jones, from Christopher Jones.
• In honor of Lucia, Allison, Katie, and Kaia, from Delilah Flores.
• In honor of Lucidalva Boeri, from Yolanda Martin.
• In memory of Lucy Boeri.
• In memory of Dr. M. Anthony Reddy, from Manojkumar Saranathan.
• In honor of M. Anthony Reddy, from Hannah Greene.
• In honor of Madeline Compton.
• In memory of Marjorie Janice Rogalski, Environmentalist, from Richard Rogalski.
• In honor of Matt Hildebrans, from Laura Miller.
• In memory of M. E. Costello.
• In honor of our friend, Meghan Chapple.
• In honor of Mestre Cupijo, from Matteo Battistini.
• In honor of Michael Rodrigues, from Mark Rodrigues.
• In honor of Michelle Maidt, from Karen Von Der Bruegge.
• In honor of Miko Takei, from Kevin Smith.
• In memory of Mohammed Javed.
• In honor of Mother Earth, from Paul Chadwell.
• In honor and appreciation of Miles Terrell, from Judy M. Huey.
• In memory of Muse, from Elizabeth Mersky.
• In honor of Nancy Lauria, from Benita J. Stambler.
• In honor of Nash Miller, from Holly B. Kvinge.
• In honor of Neal and Colleen Mathes, from Mary Michalak.
• In honor of Niamh Kelly.
• In honor of Nolan Saumure, “Seal On Tour,” from Justin Saumure.
• In honor of Ollie Hiett, from Angela Gledstone.
• In honor of Ollie Hiett, from Leah Dowse.
• In honor of Oliver Hiett, from Mili Saul.
• In honor of Papa.
• In honor of the people who care for parks and nature in my town and beyond.
• In honor of Peter Roberts, from Shelly Roberts.
• In honor of Philipp and Kat.
• In memory of Pickle Parrot, from Arlene Roth.
• In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Baity, from Reginald Beatty.
• In honor of Rebecca Callender, from Carla Callender.
• In honor of Reid Rumelt, from Cathy L. Burgess.
• In memory of Renee, Bob, and Murry Wolfson, from David Wolfson.
• In memory of Robert Marvin Gustafson, from Jon Gustafson.
• In honor of Roberta Buttau.
• In honor of Ronja Hermina Kastenbauer de Vries.
• In memory of Roxanne Barbeau.
• In honor of Ryan Howard, from Matthew Peters.
• In honor of Sam Irby.
• In honor of the SAN Voluntary Carbon Tax.
• In honor of Sonja Price, from Meredith Dinneen.
• In honor of SPAN 332.02 at Gonzaga University, from Rebecca Stephanis.
• In honor of Dr. Stephen Perz, from Tania Garcia-Solis.
• In honor of Steve Voorhees’s birthday and his caring and diligent work to save this planet, from Marion Marcovitz.
• In honor of Sylvia Work, from Sarah Work.
• In honor of Thaiza Romano, from Tamara Pires.
• In honor of Thomas Briggs, from Mark Sainsbury.
• In honor of Thomas Buechner.
• In memory of Trixie, from James M. Kahn.
• In memory of Verdi.
• In honor of William E. Hume, from William Bennett Hume.
• In honor of Youth Minds Group, NYC, from Elizabeth Fippinger.
• In honor of Yuting Cai, from Paul Johannes Schweigl.
• In honor of Zev Jacobs-Velde.
• In honor of Zev Jacobs-Velde, from Laurel Vander Velde.
• In honor of Zev Jacobs-Velde, from Leslie K. Rosen.
• In honor of Zev Jacobs-Velde, from Rebecca Goldfinger.
• In honor of Zoya Bhullar, from Navtej Bhullar.

Thank you to all who have inspired you, to all whose memory lives on, and to all who make the world a better place, one forest at a time.

Dear Friend of the Amazon,

My name is Nadia Mamani, and I come from the Madre de Dios region of Peru, a place of stunning beauty and deep cultural roots, but also one of the most threatened by illegal gold mining and deforestation.

Me (middle) after presenting at an experiences exchange with Indigenous leaders from Peru and Ecuador.

These activities have destroyed forests, poisoned rivers, and displaced local communities. Using GIS and remote sensing tools in my research opened my eyes to the true scale of the damage: vast stretches of forest lost, often in places unreachable on foot. But those same tools also gave me a powerful new way to take action.

Today, through Amazon Conservation’s Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP), I track illegal mining and deforestation from afar in real time. But what happens on the ground matters just as much. I regularly visit the region to work with local partners, Indigenous leaders, and community representatives, building trust, leading workshops, and training them to use satellite data to monitor and defend their territories. Together, we identify threats, assess ecosystems, and design strategies to protect the forest and prevent more loss.

For me, this work is deeply personal. Every training I lead, every analysis and report I create, and every new thing I learn from each of our local partners, is a way of giving back to my community and to the Indigenous leaders safeguarding the forest.

Your support makes this possible.

 
Together, we’re strengthening Indigenous partnerships and empowering local leaders to protect the Amazon for generations to come.

With heartfelt thanks,

Nadia Mamani
Senior Geospatial Analyst and Partner Strategy Lead
Amazon Conservation

What would you do if your future depended on the health of the forest around you? For many in the Amazon, that’s not a hypothetical—it’s daily life.

Across the rainforest, powerful stories are unfolding—stories of strength, hope, and courage. Indigenous communities and local leaders are working hard to protect the forest that sustains their life, food, and culture.

Thanks to your support, local communities are leading bold, transformative work to protect their forests. Their voices—full of wisdom and bravery—are guiding conservation in ways that respect tradition and shape sustainable futures.

At the heart of this movement are women. They are transforming forest-based resources into thriving livelihoods, passing down knowledge to future generations, and leading efforts to protect their forests and communities. Their stories remind us that protecting the Amazon is not just about preserving trees. It’s about uplifting people, cultures, and legacies.

“The Amazon represents something natural, something beautiful. [It] holds some value for each of us.”
— Elydanitza Yarari Monje

“[The Amazon] represents life for us, because [it] is what provides our needs for us as women and as rural communities.”
— Rosaldina Dumay Mocho

These women are shaping the future of the Amazon, one day at a time. They are passing down traditions of stewardship to their children. And thanks to donors like you, their impact can grow.

“What we always do as women is teach our children so that they can also get involved in taking care of the Amazon, in taking care of the environment and of the forest where we live. It is about passing this legacy on to our children.”
— Rosaldina Dumay Mocho

Your solidarity supports our work alongside our sister organization Conservación Amazónica–ACEAA in Bolivia that is creating opportunities and pathways for emerging leaders to thrive.

Hear directly from some of the women leading their communities in the Bolivian Amazon to protect the forest for future generations in this short video:

Your support matters now more than ever. Together, we can empower leaders and build resilient communities. 

Each and every day, these women are working hard to transform forest products like acai, Brazil nuts, and cacao into sustainable livelihoods—keeping trees standing and communities thriving. Their leadership proves a simple but powerful truth:

Conservation is strongest when led by those who call the forest home.

Your Support Amplifies Their Voices

Your generosity helps strengthen forest-based economies, empower women producers and Indigenous leaders, and safeguard one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. This year, your contribution directly supports the people whose lives and futures are intertwined with the Amazon.

When you give today, you’re investing in:

• Indigenous producers and women-led producer associations that turn forest resources into sustainable livelihoods, adding value to products like açaí berries, oils, and soaps.
• Local guardians and community-led conservation efforts to patrol, defend, and protect their territories, keeping forests standing for generations to come.
• Resources and workshops like Women Producing the Future, where Indigenous leaders share strategies to protect their forests.
• Youth engagement programs ensuring that the next generation of women and men will inherit a thriving forest and the knowledge to care for it.

Your gift doesn’t just protect trees—it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and advances long-term conservation solutions.

Act now: your gift before December 31 keeps this movement going strong into the new year.

Together, we can stand with local communities, protect critical forest resources, and secure a future where the Amazon thrives.

Amazon Conservation is an international conservation nonprofit working for the past 25 years toward building a thriving Amazon. The organization’s holistic approach focuses on working with local partners and allies to protect wild places, empower people, and put science and technology to work for conservation. 

Our on-the-ground work, as part of Amazon Conservation Alliance, is carried out through our sister organizations Conservación Amazónica-ACCA in Peru and Conservación Amazónica-ACEAA in Bolivia, are geographically focused on the headwaters of the Amazon basin. From this base, we incubate solutions and scale through building partnerships across the region, including in Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela, where we have been strengthening coverage of our real-time monitoring efforts to combat illegal deforestation through our flagship Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP).

✅ Trusted. Transparent. Top-Rated. (Again).

What are Charity Watchdogs?

Charity Watchdog organizations independently review a charity’s financial records, accountability practices, and results to help donors discern which organizations are the most effective and trustworthy.

The Major Players

There are many Charity Watchdog sites out there, but some of the most notable and reputable include Charity Navigator, Candid (formerly GuideStar), and GreatNonprofits. Each has a unique rating system— but Amazon Conservation is top-rated by all of them. 

Consult the chart below to see which Charity Watchdog site has the information that’s most important to you.

Charity Watchdog	Evaluative Focus	Purpose
	Holistic view: Rating system analyzes program impact, cost efficiency, financial health, long-term stability, etc.	Helps donors quickly determine which nonprofits are strong, trustworthy choices (and which probably aren’t)
	Transparency: Whether and to what degree an organization publishes its data	Offers detailed public records (e.g., finances, governance) to shed light on behind-the-scenes operational practices
	Community Experience: Reviews from an organization’s donors, volunteers, partners, beneficiaries, etc.	Offers testimonials that demonstrate how people experience the organization beyond its metrics

Amazon Conservation’s 2025 Charity Watchdog Ratings: 

Charity Navigator: 4-Star Charity (Highest Rating), Score of 100 (Out of 100)

Meaning: A “Great” nonprofit (with a rating of 4 stars and a score of 90+) “exceeds or meets best practices and industry standards across almost all areas. Likely to be a highly-effective charity.”

Read more about how Charity Navigator scores nonprofits.

➡️ Check out our Charity Navigator profile by clicking here, searching for Amazon Conservation Association on the Charity Navigator site, or by visiting this URL: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/522211305. 

Candid: Platinum (Highest-Level) Seal of Transparency – Renewed 2025

Meaning: Amazon Conservation has complied with rigorous public reporting standards, including with regard to financials, strategy, impact metrics, and governance. According to data released this July, only 6% of all U.S. nonprofits earned the Platinum Seal in 2021 and/or 2022.

Read more about Candid’s Seals of Transparency.

➡️ Check out our Candid profile by clicking here, searching for Amazon Conservation Association in Candid’s nonprofit database, or by visiting this URL: https://app.candid.org/profile/7790364/. 

GreatNonprofits: 5-Star Rating (Out of 5), Top-Rated Badge

Meaning: Dozens of people familiar with Amazon Conservation have left us five-star ratings alongside their public comments about the organization. To achieve a top-rated badge, an organization must maintain a rating of 3.5+ stars and receive 10 positive story-based reviews during one calendar year.

Want to share your positive experience with Amazon Conservation? Click here to sign up and tell your story today.

➡️ Check out our GreatNonprofits profile here or by searching for Amazon Conservation Association using the GreatNonprofits site.

Why Does It Matter? 

To those with whom we’ve already built a trusting and long-standing relationship, these ratings may not feel surprising—you’ve seen our commitment and results firsthand. But Charity Watchdogs play an important role in showing new supporters and the broader public that our work is both transparent and effective. 

Our strong ratings validate the quality and integrity of our work on the ground, showing that our programs truly deliver for forests, wildlife, and local communities. They also build the donor confidence that fuels long-term conservation, enabling us to protect more acres and strengthen more frontline partners. In short, trusted organizations can make the biggest impact—and that impact is what keeps the Amazon thriving.

P.S. If you’re considering a year-end donation, trust what the watchdogs — and your instincts — already tell you: Amazon Conservation will put your gift to work where it truly matters.

This time of year invites reflection—on what we’ve accomplished together in our 25 years of Amazon Conservation and on the impact we hope to make next. Protecting the Amazon is a collective effort, made possible by people committed conservationists like you who choose to give in ways that reflect what they value. Whether you’re exploring tax-smart options to make your annual gift or simply want to deepen your support for the Amazon with an extra gift, here are several giving pathways that can help.

Do You Know All the Ways You Can Give?

1. Become a Wild Keeper as a Monthly Donor: Our Wild Keeper Monthly Giving Program provides steady, reliable support that allows us to strengthen long-term conservation programs across the Amazon. When making your online gift, simply select the “Monthly” option to join.
2. Smart Giving with DAF or QCD Contributions: If you have resources already set aside in a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or retirement account, consider making a charitable contribution this year to take advantage of current tax benefits. Learn more here.
3. Smart Giving with Non-Cash Assets: Donating non-cash assets–including stocks, securities, and cryptocurrency–often comes with greater tax benefits for you, thereby both increasing the overall value of your contribution and making a sizable impact on our mission. Learn more here.
4. Smart Giving with Planned Gifts: Include Amazon Conservation in your will, trust, or estate plan to create a lasting legacy. Find out how to make your planned gift for free.
5. Matching Gifts & Other Options: Many employers offer a match for gifts made by employees, sometimes even including retirees and spouses. Explore matching options and other ways to give here.

Important Year-End Tax Updates

As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tax laws will change starting January 1, 2026. Making your gift now can help you secure the most favorable benefits while supporting urgent conservation efforts. Here are a few notable upcoming changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

For donors who itemize (vs. taking the standard deduction):

• A new nondeductible threshold: The first portion of charitable giving will no longer be deductible for some donors, reducing the after-tax value of gifts.
  Many donors are choosing to ‘bunch’ multiple years of giving into 2025—often through a Donor-Advised Fund—to maximize deductions.
• A new cap on total deductible giving: This shift could significantly reduce tax benefits for some donors.
  Make any cash or stock gifts—and contributions to your DAF—by December 31 to take full advantage of 2025’s more favorable rules.

For Donors Aged 65+: Those aged 65 and older may now claim an additional charitable deduction of up to $6,000 per individual, on top of the existing senior deduction. This temporary benefit makes 2025 an especially advantageous year to give.

Make the Most of Your 2025 Giving

This year offers unique opportunities to make a powerful impact while maximizing current tax benefits. Whether you give monthly, donate stock, contribute through a DAF, or plan a legacy gift, your generosity strengthens our priorities to protect the core of the Amazon, halt illegal deforestation, and strengthen forest-based economies and community-driven conservation that keep the Amazon standing.

Your gift today can protect wildlife and forests and build a thriving future generations.

This Giving Tuesday, your support doesn’t just help— it transforms. Every gift powers on-the-ground action that keeps forests standing, wildlife thriving, and community leaders equipped with the tools they need to safeguard the future.

Why Your Gift Matters

The Amazon faces mounting pressures—from deforestation and illegal mining to climate change. Using cutting-edge science and technology, local teams are tracking and responding to threats in real time. Your gift today fuels solutions with measurable impact on both forests and the people who depend on them.

Your generosity makes it possible to:

• Halt illegal deforestation: real-time monitoring across 100% of the Amazon basin to detect deforestation and illegal activity as they happen, while equipping local partners with the tools to defend their territories.
  
• Strengthen sustainable livelihoods: supporting producers in building local economies based on sustainable forest resources such as Brazil nuts, açaí berries, and wild cacao.
• Expand innovation and research: providing the data, tools, and analyses that drive climate-smart conservation strategies.

Your Impact in Action

Because of the generosity of donors like you, our teams on the ground are able to:

• Protect vital ecosystems from growing pressures including agriculture, infrastructure, and resource extraction.

• Stop illegal deforestation through comprehensive real-time monitoring and analysis and coordinated on-the-ground response.

• Grow forest-based economies that provide sustainable livelihoods and keep forests standing.

• Drive regional policy change using the science and data your support makes possible.

Every donation, no matter the size, creates a ripple effect—strengthening forest protection, delivering actionable insights, empowering local leaders, and advancing conservation solutions that last.

This Giving Tuesday, Your Support Makes the Difference

Your gift today powers real action tomorrow. By standing with the local leaders, communities, and forest guardians who keep the Amazon thriving, you help ensure this vital ecosystem remains vibrant for generations to come.

Join us this Giving Tuesday. Be part of the solutions that keep the Amazon—and its people—strong and resilient.

Dear Supporters of Amazon Conservation,

As I begin my tenure as Board Chair, I am honored to build on the extraordinary legacy that has defined Amazon Conservation for nearly 25 years. This organization has always stood apart for one simple reason: its commitment to pairing world-class science and technology with the experience, leadership, and resilience of the people who depend on the forest. 

With your support, that combination continues to drive real impact. In 2024, our collective efforts:

• Expanded protection of the core of Amazon, establishing over 2.8 million acres and 4 new protected areas in Bolivia, for a total of over 11.5 million acres safeguarded to date.
• Advanced understanding of the impacts of illegal mining, with our Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program’s MAAP #196 using the first-ever “Illegal Gold Mining Impact Calculator” developed by Conservation Strategy Fund. This allowed us to quantify the true social and environmental costs of illegal gold mining and equipped national authorities, journalists, and civil society with vital data to drive informed action.
• Consolidated production of sustainable forest products to strengthen forest-based economies. Bolivian açaí producers achieved record sales of sustainable forest products and the Indigenous community of Infierno in Peru earned organic certification for wild cacao, connecting forest-friendly products to high-value markets.
• Supported groundbreaking science at our Manu Biological Station in Peru, where scientists discovered a new species of sandfly (Trichophoromyia macrisae), offering valuable insights into disease transmission and public health in tropical regions.

These milestones remind us that protecting the Amazon is about more than conserving trees; it is about sustaining an entire system of life, culture, and climate stability that the world depends on.

As pressures on the forest grow more complex and interconnected, Amazon Conservation continues to evolve—working beyond borders, bridging science and policy, and uniting partners in a shared vision for a thriving Amazon. 

I am honored to be a part of this mission and honored to have committed supporters like you backing Amazon Conservation at this pivotal moment.

Sincerely,

Douglas Sarno
Chair
Amazon Conservation Board of Directors