Amazon Conservation
Amazon Conservation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 that focuses on protecting the western Amazon through science, innovation, and community engagement. With a team of 38, it implements conservation solutions across 124 million acres in Bolivia and Peru, utilizing advanced technology to monitor deforestation and support local communities.
History
Amazon Conservation was founded in 1999 and has been actively engaged in conservation efforts in the Amazon for over 20 years. The organization is classified as a non-profit and operates with a small team of 38 individuals. It has established a permanent presence in the Bolivian Amazon to study and conserve the Pampas del Heath ecosystem. The organization has developed innovative conservation models and has partnered with local governments and communities to enhance conservation efforts.
Services
Amazon Conservation specializes in various aspects of environmental services, focusing on conservation, wildlife protection, and ecotourism. The organization implements direct conservation solutions across 124 million acres of the Bolivian and Peruvian Amazons. It also provides technical support to local governments, such as the Ixiamas municipal government, to create conservation areas. Additionally, it hosts annual webinars like AmazonTEC to discuss the intersection of science, technology, and policy in conservation.
Specialties
Amazon Conservation has several specialties that include the conservation of the Amazon rainforest, wildlife protection, and support for indigenous communities. The organization focuses on protecting the most biodiverse places on Earth, particularly in Peru and Bolivia. It employs cutting-edge technology, such as drones and satellite imagery, to monitor deforestation and alert authorities. The organization also empowers local communities to develop forest-friendly livelihoods.
Impact
Amazon Conservation has protected over 8.15 million acres of rainforest and has created replicable conservation models, including the world's first conservation concession using a public-public partnership model. The organization has exposed over 2.5 million acres of deforestation through technology and has issued over 100 deforestation alerts. It has also established a network of conservation hubs that serve as research stations and education centers, hosting thousands of scientists and students annually.
Technological Innovations
Amazon Conservation utilizes advanced technology to enhance its conservation efforts. The organization has developed a system to detect and classify Brazil nut trees using remote sensing and drones. It has also established the Amazon's first drone training and monitoring center. The Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP) is a dedicated real-time monitoring program launched by the organization to track deforestation across the Amazon basin.