Amazon Conservation Association

Put science and technology to work - Amazon Conservation develops innovative Conservation solutions through science and technology by employing our network of Conservation hubs in peru and bolivia as living laboratories where we carry out and host robust scientific research, develop and test cutting-edge technologies to be used to advance understanding and protection of the Amazon, and facilitate learning and training of the next generation of scientists and conservationists. Examples of this work include: 1) our amazon-wide real-time remote monitoring program called maap, which utilizes the latest in satellite, radar, and drone technology to detect and report deforestation and fires in real-time; 2) our extensive camera trap network that monitors biodiversity health in key forest areas; 3) a climate early-warning system that supports community forest producers prepare for the impacts of climate change; 4) hosting scientists and students from around the world to conduct research in a wide range of topics at our premier biological stations. Since 2020, our maap program exposed over 6,000 major fires in real-time across the entire Amazon using our innovative fires monitoring app, as well as helped the peruvian government and local communities stop fronts of illegal gold mining deforestation using our remote satellite monitoring technology before they got to a point of no return.

Empower people - Amazon Conservation empowers local communities to build sustainable and resilient livelihoods that protect standing forests and grow local and national economies. And, we strengthen environmental governance to help communities directly protect their lands and resources. Since 1999, Amazon Conservation's sustainable livelihoods program has empowered thousands of forest users and indigenous communities in peru and bolivia to develop and improve the sustainable production of forest-based resources including brazil nuts and acai berries, helping improve their income and quality of life. Since 2015 the organization has made strides in strengthening environmental governance by providing cutting-edge technology tools and building capacities of governments, local communities, and indigenous groups to work together to reduce threats, improve the context for Conservation, and apply the law against environmental crimes.

Protect wild places - Amazon Conservation protects critical ecosystems and biodiversity in peru and bolivia by creating and strengthening protected areas; ensuring landscape connectivity essential for species survival and climate adaptation; and directly addressing threats to local habitats. We further help protect the entire Amazon basin by employing the latest in remote sensing technologies to help communities and governments identify, analyze, and take action to protect the forest across all nine amazonian countries in real-time. We have also supported: 1) governments in the creation of over 24 Conservation areas protecting 9.1 million acres of irreplaceable ecosystems across peru and bolivia, 2) indigenous communities develop and carryout "life plans" to ensure enduring protection, sustainable development and Conservation efforts within their ancestral territories.

Sustainable livelihoods - Amazon Conservation empowers local communities to build sustainable and resilient livelihoods that protect standing forests and grow local and national economies, as well as to strengthen environmental governance that improves protection and management of natural resources. Since 1997, Amazon Conservation's sustainable livelihoods programs have empowered thousands of forest users and indigenous communities in peru and bolivia in developing and improving the sustainable production of forest products including brazil nuts, acai berries and precious tropical hardwoods, which improved their income and quality of life. Amazon Conservation also supports conservation-appropriate agroforestry initiatives and microenterprises such as native fish farming and community-based ecotourism, all while working to mitigate the impacts of infrastructure development on the environment. Since 2015 the organization has made strides in strengthening environmental governance by providing technology tools and building capacities of governments and communities to work together to reduce threats, improve the context for Conservation, and apply the law against environmental crimes.