Empowering Local People for Resilient Livelihoods and a Thriving Forest

April 7, 2025

When we think of the Amazon, a few things often come to mind: lush canopies teeming with wildlife, an intricate network of winding rivers, and vibrant, colorful birds and flowers, all painting a picture of a flourishing tropical paradise. This intricate ecosystem is full of life, not only supporting a rich diversity of plants and animals but also sheltering a diverse variety of local and Indigenous communities.

From the mountain highlands of the Andes straight to the heart of the Amazon, many of these communities have relied on the forests’ resources for millennia. That’s why Amazon Conservation integrates a community-based approach to our conservation initiatives, empowering local people by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to effectively and safely protect their territories from deforestation and illegal actors. From providing drones and technical workshops for forest monitoring to teaching sustainable harvesting practices for native forest products, the people who depend on these forests are some of the leading forces for strengthening environmental governance and protecting the Amazon’s pristine forests. 

Our alliance of sister organizations and partners across the Amazon basin diligently works on the ground, collaborating with local governments, Indigenous groups, NGOs, and civil society members to build sustainable, resilient livelihoods that safeguard the Amazon. These efforts also focus on inspiring the next generation of conservationists by supporting research, providing scholarships for aspiring biologists, and offering environmental education programs for school-aged children.

Amazon Conservation has made major strides in local empowerment over the past 25 years, most notably through our forest-based economy initiative. This initiative aims to improve the sustainable production of forest goods such as açaí, Brazil nuts, cacao, and more that provide income for local communities while also benefiting the health of the forest. To date, we have been able to secure organic certifications, business contracts, and enhance production efficiency that ultimately pave the way for a robust economic alternative to harmful activities, promoting the advantages of the forest’s ecological health and conserving its resources. Furthermore, we’ve stepped in to provide technical and capacity training for mitigating fire risk, drone use to detect deforestation, legal support, and more, to enable local people to actively protect their homes, impacting the lives of over 100,000 people to this day. 

We at Amazon Conservation believe in strength in numbers. Local people are key environmental leaders giving the Amazon a voice, and through our community involvement, we can help create an influential impact that benefits all who depend on this critical ecosystem.