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.

Support Innovation for Global Health Today

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.

GIS Specialists on our MAAP team analyze satellite images to track deforestation

Amazon Conservation has an extensive history of tracking deforestation and other threats to the forest–including illegal gold mining and logging, the construction of roads, and the expanding agricultural frontier–via our real-time satellite monitoring program, Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program (MAAP). Over the years, we have continuously expanded our scope across all 9 countries of the Amazon, partnering with numerous local NGOs and civil society organizations who often utilize this information to take legal action against illegal gold mining and other harmful deforestation activities. 

This partnership model is an innovative approach to satellite monitoring and conservation in a number of ways, from the high-tech tools and algorithms used to produce real-time data and analyses about the state of the Amazon to working alongside local groups and communities to build their capacity to use this high-tech monitoring in the future and empower them to protect their territory.

Amazon Conservation’s growing partnership with FENAMAD (the Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River Region) in Peru is the most recent example of how this innovative approach means long-term wins for conservation and Indigenous communities in Peru’s Madre de Dios region.

As our MAAP analyses continue to show (most recently MAAP #183), Indigenous territories and protected areas are vital tools in the fight to keep the Amazon standing. Our MAAP reports on the topic since 2021 continue to show that these land designations experience half the rate of deforestation as any other type of land use.

For local people like Pepe Torres, who manages the Community Monitoring and Oversight Program with FENAMAD, the goals of MAAP “aligns with the [Indigenous] community’s concept of forest, of protecting the forest and using it sustainably. Protecting their forests enables them to conserve their culture and way of life as Native communities in Madre de Dios.”

What deforestation can look like via satellite imaging

With the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), we are providing FENAMAD with real-time satellite monitoring of Indigenous territories while building their capacity to use this high-tech monitoring in the future to connect real-time deforestation monitoring and reporting with policy action. This partnership marks the first time we are directly sharing our satellite information with Indigenous communities and working to strengthen their existing surveillance systems, inform their on-the-ground patrolling, and help take action to stop illegal deforestation and degradation in their ancestral homelands.

Your support helps elevate the needs of Indigenous communities like those in Peru’s Madre de Dios region for innovative satellite technology and real-time analysis. With the skills, technology, and knowledge gained through our partnership with FENAMAD, you are helping empower these communities to assert autonomy over their territories, sustainably manage their resources and livelihoods, and ultimately preserve their culture and way of life.

Support Innovation to Stop Illegal Deforestation Today

Amazon Conservation’s biological research stations have housed several studies over the past two decades and have even contributed to the discovery of various new species, such as Noble’s pygmy frog, Sabin’s glass frog, and nine new beetle species. These stations offer a gateway for students and researchers to deepen their knowledge of species, habitats, and ecosystems that interconnect with the overall ecological health of the Amazon, which is crucial to exploring solutions to conservation challenges. 

Now, as 2024 is coming to a close, we’re thrilled to share that another remarkable scientific breakthrough has taken place at our Manu Biological Station in the Peruvian Amazon!

In late November, a team of researchers led by Sergio Méndez-Cardona and Olga L. Cabrera-Quintero identified a new species of sandfly: Trichophoromyia macrisae. This brings the total number of species of this genus to 47 in the Americas and 15 in Peru. Sandflies are key carriers of Leishmania, the parasite responsible for leishmaniasis, a disease with major public health impacts in tropical regions. By studying Trichophoromyia macrisae, researchers can uncover critical insights into disease transmission, helping to develop effective prevention strategies and save lives.

This discovery showcases the cutting-edge research and innovation taking place in the heart of the Amazon, opening new perspectives for studying tropical diseases and conserving our ecosystems. Each new species we uncover enhances our understanding of tropical ecosystems and highlights the vital role biodiversity plays in tackling global challenges, including those impacting human health. 

Read more about this discovery in the full study here!

We are incredibly grateful for the support of partners like you and the International Conservation Fund of Canada, which helped make this milestone possible. This just shows how your generosity can enable groundbreaking research, the development of advanced wildlife monitoring technologies, and innovative solutions that protect both biodiversity and human health. 

Your contributions directly help advance the science and impact of our work, securing a healthier, thriving future for all. Protecting ecosystems helps safeguard the health of the Amazon, our planet, and all of us. Thank you for your continued support!

Tahuamanu-Orthon Conservation Area

For 25 years, we’ve been working with local partners, communities, and governments in the Amazon to provide technical support that will help strengthen sustainable land use and establish new protected areas, keeping forests intact and wildlife thriving. Through multiple analyses (including MAAP #183 and a recent carbon analysis from MAAP #213), we have shown that protected areas and Indigenous territories offer some of the best defenses against deforestation. 

Protected areas encompass key ecosystems that are essential for the health of the overall Amazon, which affects the entire planet. Key protected areas we’ve helped establish lend a hand in conserving key ecological corridors that ensure connectivity to protect biodiversity and species adaptation to a warming planet, regulate water levels and flooding to protect watershed health for the entire Amazon River basin, and build forests that are more fire resilient, which can prevent major fires that devastate the Amazon and local communities.

Achieving greater protection of the Amazon’s forests is more urgent now than ever. 

Take action for the Amazon today!

Establishing conservation areas takes a lot of time and work, and we are grateful for your generous support. We at Amazon Conservation continue to utilize innovative tools and partnerships to protect new areas and ensure their continued protection.

In addition to the importance of protected areas and Indigenous territories as tools to prevent deforestation, establishing more and larger areas for conservation also supports landscape and biodiversity connectivity, which is critical for healthy forests and ecosystems. 

This year, we celebrated the establishment of two new conservation areas that protect more than 1.25 million acres of forest in the Bolivian Amazon.

Thanks to the support of donors like you, we now directly protect a total of 10.5 MILLION ACRES of wild places across 37 protected areas across the headwaters of the Amazon in Peru and Bolivia! 

But establishing protected areas won’t be effective on its own without also ensuring the sustainable management of these areas, which is another piece of Amazon Conservation’s work to protect wild areas.

We are at the forefront of urgent action by using real-time satellite monitoring, locally-managed drone piloting programs, and innovative tools like the Fires App, through which we track fires and analyze their causes and their correlation with destructive activities. With this valuable data and by fostering healthy, connected ecosystems, we are making forests more resilient to the impacts of these fires. 

Your support for Amazon Conservation’s work helps prioritize the innovative use of technology to ensure connectivity and the sustainability of protected areas needed to conserve biodiversity and healthy forests resilient to climate change.

Images provided by Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA

We are constantly grateful for all the support we have received over the past two decades, which has helped move our conservation efforts forward. This support keeps the Amazon thriving and allows us to carry out our initiatives that benefit local and indigenous communities and wildlife that depend on it. 

This year, we’re giving special thanks because your support has enabled us to achieve some significant milestones. In no particular order, we’re naming 5 of our top accomplishments achieved so far in 2024: 

1. Amazon Conservation Took Part in COP16, One of the Most Globally Significant Conservation Summits

Last month, we were very grateful to be in attendance at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, to share our innovative conservation model with attendees, host a side event on The Power of Partnerships and Technology to Stop Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon, and participate in many other events and meetings dedicated to protecting the world’s biological diversity. 

In Cali, our Alliance sister organizations Conservación Amazónica-ACCA in Peru and Conservación Amazónica-ACEAA in Bolivia joined us along with colleagues from our on-the-ground partners Fundación EcoCiencia (Ecuador), FCDS (Colombia), FENAMAD (Peru), Instituto Igarapé (Brazil), and others, to share our collective experiences working across borders to tackle some of the greatest threats to the Amazon’s biodiversity.

Our participation in this event allowed us to gain key insights on the regional organization and cross-national cooperation between the eight countries of the Amazon to prioritize biodiversity protection. Understanding these logistics shapes the narrative for our strategy in implementing effective conservation tactics across the Amazon basin. 

2. National Geographic featured our Andean Bear Conservation Project in Their October Issue “Into the Amazon”

National Geographic published a special October issue called “Into the Amazon,” which offers a stunning, immersive journey that takes readers deep into the depths of the Amazon’s intricate ecosystems and landscapes. This edition features the work of biologist Ruthmery Pillco, lead coordinator of our Andean Bear Conservation Project, and her research team at our Wayqecha Biological Station. 

Ruthmery is an Indigenous Peruvian botanist from a village outside of Cusco. Her field research is supported by her rescue dog Ukuku, who is trained in scent detection to help find scat samples from Andean bears. In 2021, Ruthmery was announced as one of fifteen changemakers worldwide to be selected for National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers award, and was also named a Disney Conservation Hero the following year.

Ruthermery and her research team have lead the Andean Bear Conservation Project in collaboration with researchers, volunteers, authorities, and local communities to conduct studies on the distribution and behavior of mammals in the area to help us better understand wildlife responses to environmental change and the functional diversity of ecosystems. “Bears of the Cloud Forests” highlights this work at our Wayqecha Biological Station, educating readers on the important ecological role of this iconic Peruvian species. We are extremely proud of the hard work carried out by such a dedicated team, and congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition.

3. We Built New Strategic Partnerships To Amplify Our Conservation Efforts

To expand our reach across the Amazon and globally, Amazon Conservation has formed alliances and partnerships both on the ground and internationally to develop new conservation strategies and maximize its impacts. As of late April, we officially became a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an institution that unites governments and civil society to advance sustainable development for a world that deeply values nature. Each organization in the ICUN plays a unique role in a democratic process, contributing to discussions, agendas, and resolutions that develop the foundation for global conservation.

We also recently partnered with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to improve our real-time monitoring of illegal gold mining across the Amazon basin, and joined The Amazon Gold Working Group, a collaborative innovation network created by Amazon Aid for stakeholders, Indigenous leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and others to launch strategic actions to confront the issue faced by the gold supply chain. 

We are continuing to expanding our allyships to raise awareness for nature-positive solutions and strengthen our efforts to help combat negative climate and environmental impacts in the Amazon, and thank you for your support in this process.

4. Our MAAP Team Used the First Ever Illegal Gold Mining Impact Calculator to Measure Socio-Environmental Impacts

In May, our MAAP team published MAAP #196, a detailed report on the socio-environmental impacts caused by illegal mining using a unique tool—the first-ever “Illegal Gold Mining Impact Calculator” developed by Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF).

Since gold mining first became an issue in the Peruvian Amazon, quantifying these specific types of impacts in monetary terms has been a challenge for national authorities, who lack adequate instruments for understanding the economic values of illegal mining’s negative impact on the Amazon. Given this challenge, the organization Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) developed the Mining Impacts Calculator, a novel digital economic valuation tool that allows users to calculate the social and environmental cost of illegal gold mining in the Amazon.

By incorporating data from this calculator into our MAAP report, we were able to provide vital data that helps government officials, journalists, and civil society fully understand the complex context of gold mining and how its negative impacts extend beyond environmental harm. 

5. We Helped Establish 2 New Conservation Areas in Bolivia, Protecting Over 10.5 million acres of Amazonian Forests

The combination of your support and generous contributions from Andes Amazon Fund, our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA was able to establish two new conservation areas 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. 

Protected areas are not only crucial for conserving surrounding ecosystems and biodiversity, but also help ensure clean water resources and food security for local populations. The establishment of these two new areas now adds 1.2 million acres of forest to our landscape of wild places we help protect, bringing our total to 10.5 million acres of protected forests in the Amazon!

As we begin reflecting on our accomplishments so far, we are reminded that none of this would have been possible without YOU. Your contributions are making a significant impact on the ground, benefitting people, wildlife, and the entire planet. We are eternally grateful for how far this support has gotten us, and we, along with the Amazon, thank you for your commitment to our mission.

Mark your calendars, because now we’re only a few days away from Giving Tuesday!

This special day reminds people just like you of the power you hold in making a difference this holiday season. This Giving Tuesday, YOU have the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the Amazon.

Since 1999, Amazon Conservation has flourished into what it is today thanks to the support of our committed community of conservationists. For over 20 years, we’ve been at the forefront of the fight to keep forests standing and thriving by harnessing cutting-edge science, innovative technology, and unique partnership models to find new ways to overcome the immense challenges faced by the Amazon.

In this moment, the Amazon–and the planet itself–is at a critical crossroads. 

Deforestation, climate change, and illegal activities continue to threaten the health of this vital ecosystem. But not all hope is lost. With urgent action and innovation, you can directly support our efforts in: 

• Innovating technology to detect and combat deforestation and illegal activities to keep conservation areas protected and thriving.
• Collaborating with Indigenous communities to safeguard their lands, resources, and ways of life for future generations.
• Creating climate-smart sustainable alternatives that empower local people, maintain healthy forests, and build a resilient forest economy.

So mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on December 3rd, and join us in taking urgent action to protect the Amazon! Together, we can continue developing science-informed solutions that protect forests, wildlife, and the people who depend on them. The Amazon’s future is in our hands, so give back today and show your support!

Give today to help safeguard the Amazon!

Last month, we were very grateful to be in attendance at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, to share our innovative conservation model with attendees, host a side event on The Power of Partnerships and Technology to Stop Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon, and participate in many other events and meetings dedicated to protecting the world’s biological diversity. 

 In Cali, our Alliance sister organizations Conservación Amazónica-ACCA in Peru and Conservación Amazónica-ACEAA in Bolivia joined us, as well as colleagues from our on-the-ground partners Fundación EcoCiencia (Ecuador), FCDS (Colombia), FENAMAD (Peru), Instituto Igarapé (Brazil), and others, to share our collective experiences working across borders to tackle some of the greatest threats to the Amazon’s biodiversity.

Our Director of Strategy and Policy, Blaise Bodin, shares his perspective about the key takeaways of COP16 and Amazon Conservation’s role moving forward.

Q: What is the importance of COP16 on Biodiversity?

Blaise: The Conference of the Parties (also known as “COP”) is the decision-making body of international conventions, such as the UN Convention on Climate Change and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Climate COPs happen every year, while CBD COPs happen once every two years. At COPs, the parties to the Convention (the countries that have signed up for it) discuss more detailed targets to reach the overarching goals of the convention and ways in which they will contribute to these global targets through domestic action. COP16 was particularly important because it followed the adoption of a new global biodiversity framework comprising 23 targets at COP15. This was the first time that parties were meeting since adopting the global framework, and the main topics of discussion were the submission of national plans to implement the global targets and the financing needed for their implementation. 

 

Q: What role do non-governmental organizations like Amazon Conservation play at global summits like COP?

Blaise: In addition to the official negotiations between countries, the COPs have also served as global events for civil society and international organizations to gather, showcase their work, and build new initiatives and partnerships aligned with the goals of the conventions. COP16 in Cali was no exception, and the vast majority of participants came to attend side events and for the opportunity to network rather than participate in the official negotiations as government representatives. 

The work of Amazon Conservation’s team in Cali was focused on these opportunities to network and present our work to new potential partners and hear what others are doing in the region. The fact that the COP was in one of the Amazonian countries meant that there were a lot of representatives from organizations working in the region and many events focused on the Amazon, so it was a great opportunity in that sense, and so will the next climate COP that will be hosted in the Amazonian city of Belem, in Brazil, at the end of next year. 

 

Q: What key takeaways do you have from COP16 related to the conservation of the Amazon? 

Blaise: There’s really a flurry of action and new initiatives surrounding the Amazon and a sense that it is a critical piece in achieving any global goals for biodiversity or climate change. Especially with the extreme drought that has struck the region over the past 2 years and reached new records this year, there’s a renewed sense of urgency and that the time to act is now. 

One really positive signal is that the dedicated regional organization in charge of cooperation between the eight countries of the Amazon, called ACTO (Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization), appointed a new Secretary-General. The announcement was made at the COP in Cali because the new Secretary-General of ACTO is from Colombia, so this could really give new impetus to conservation efforts from these governments at the regional scale. The Colombian government also launched a process for developing a global agreement on the traceability of rare metals, which could greatly help in the fight against illegal gold mining in the Amazon. 

 

Q: Do you have any insights from the event about key opportunities for expanding the impact of Amazon Conservation’s and our partners’ work across the region?

Blaise: This is a great moment for Amazon Conservation to show the relevance of its extensive network of partners in the region and participate in a united front of civil society organizations to hold regional governments accountable for their promises to curb deforestation. 

The message from the scientific community–which is now very much on everyone’s mind–couldn’t be clearer: we cannot afford to lose the Amazon if we want to stand a chance against the twin global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. 

That means defending the Amazon against illegal activities as we have done and will continue to do in the coming years by expanding our monitoring work, especially focused on gold mining. But it also means ensuring that people living in the Amazon can thrive in ways that don’t require destroying the forest. This pivot to “bioeconomies” or “forest-based economies” was very present in the discussions at this COP; it’s clear that there are a lot of institutions that want to invest heavily in this transition. The main thing that these institutions need is “bankable projects” to invest in, projects that are well-structured but also well-connected to the communities on the ground. This is exactly what Amazon Conservation, through the Alliance and through our extended network of partners, can provide. 

A recording of our side event at COP16 on The Power of Partnerships and Technology to Stop Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon (presented in both English and Spanish) is available on the IUCN’s YouTube Channel here. 

In efforts to highlight key challenges and solutions to protecting the Amazon, we, along with our Peruvian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA, bring together scientists, environmental professionals, and conservation enthusiasts each year to take part in AmazonTEC: a platform to discuss the science, technology, and innovation needed to help conserve the Amazon basin. 

This month, we hosted an exclusive webinar as part of the second session of AmazonTEC 2024, “4D Technology for Biodiversity Monitoring in the Amazon,” to highlight technological and scientific advances that strengthen monitoring for the conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon. The session featured many key speakers and leading experts who addressed how technology is transforming our understanding of biodiversity and how advances in the use of artificial intelligence and big data platforms enhance the potential to map critical areas and develop more effective conservation strategies. These tools, in combination with projects that operate in near real-time, are part of the approach known as 4D Technology, which is considered key to monitoring and conserving biodiversity in the Amazon.

The session began with opening remarks from the Executive Director of Conservación Amazónica – ACCA, María Elena Gutiérrez, who stressed the importance of using technological tools to face environmental challenges and promote concrete actions to protect the Amazon’s intricate ecosystems. She also commented that, after COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where the active participation of indigenous communities, civil society, and the private sector marked a milestone, the upcoming COP30 in Belém in 2025 is expected to be a space to translate the commitments to conservation made into concrete actions that comprehensively address the interconnection between biodiversity and climate change, reinforcing the role of technology in this global challenge.

The event also featured PhD Corine Vriesendorp, a renowned ecologist and advisor to the Scientific Panel for the Amazon, who will take over as Director of Science at Conservación Amazónica – ACCA in 2025, and world-renowned conservationist and cofounder of Amazon Conservation Adrian Forsyth, who gave closing remarks on the science that transcends cultural and political barriers, as well as how its value will be critical for the future. 

Watch the full session of 4D Technology for Biodiversity Monitoring in the Amazon

We would like to thank the following funders whose support helped make AmazonTEC possible: NORAD/NICFI Development Cooperation, Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA, Science Panel for the Amazon, WildMon, Planet, Conservation X Labs, ConcyTEC, PUCP, Wyss Academy, San Diego Zoo, CITA–UTEC

Learn more about AmazonTEC at amazontec.pe