A major roadblock that Amazonian communities face to protect their natural resources and territories is the lack of knowledge and access to legal support. To help fight environmental crimes and empower local people to actively participate in legal processes against forest crimes, our sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACCA has launched Peru’s first Amazon Legal Clinic.

The Amazon Legal Clinic, created with the support of the Amazonía Que Late Network, connects young attorneys with local people who want to file a deforestation claim or report a forest crime. It enables local people to receive pro-bono support while the attorneys support the conservation of the Amazon. The clinic provides free legal advice, representation, and assistance in criminal and administrative matters for people in the Ucayali, Loreto, San Martín, Amazonas, Cusco, and Huánuco regions.

This transformative initiative will help those affected by forest crimes, such as illegal mining, deforestation, illegal logging, or wildlife trafficking, to have access to the support they need to report the crime and help action be taken on the ground. “Without legal support, many local people end up never reporting environmental crimes. By providing this service for free, we can support our forest guardians and indigenous peoples to take action,” says Claudia Castillo, an attorney at Conservación Amazónica – ACCA.

Recently, our Bolivian sister organization Conservación Amazónica – ACEAA held the Jaguar-People Conflict Mitigation Action Plan socialization workshop at the Manuripi – Abuná Conservation Corridor in Pando, Bolivia. The aim was to forge an alliance meant to protect and preserve this fantastic species and its habitat in Pando. This event discussed governance, knowledge management, awareness, and mitigation strategies.

The Alliance for Jaguar Conservation in Pando brings together prominent entities such as the Pando Government, the Secretariat of Mother Earth, Pando Amazon University, Departmental Assembly, Manuripi Amazon National Wildlife Reserve, Environmental Forest Police (POFOMA), WWF Bolivia, WCS Bolivia and Conservación Internacional Bolivia.

This initiative is a fundamental part of the project “Monitoring with Trap Cameras and Mitigation of Human Conflict – Jaguar in Natural Spaces Conservation of the Panda Department”, funded by WWF Bolivia and executed by Amazon Conservation ACEAA.

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.