Board Chair Charles J. Smith reflects on the foundation Ivan Gayler built — and what the next thirty years demand
By Charles J. Smith, Board Chair
There is a particular kind of person who looks at a disappearing forest and sees not just what is being lost, but everything that could still be saved. Ivan Gayler is that person. Thirty years ago, he had the audacity to believe that a small, determined organization could go to the most ecologically consequential landscapes on Earth — the cloud forests and river valleys of the Andes and Amazon — and actually turn the tide.
He was right.
Ivan Gayler and Charles J. Smith in Ecuadorian Amazon
The Founders Bet
When Ivan founded Nature and Culture International in 1996, the model he envisioned was as unconventional as it was clear-eyed. He was not interested in distant advocacy or feel-good gestures. He wanted to be on the ground, in partnership with local communities and governments, doing the hard and permanent work of protecting land, not for a decade, but forever. That insistence on permanence, on real and measurable outcomes, has defined the organization ever since.
What strikes me most, looking back across thirty years, is how fully Ivan saw around corners. He understood before most that the Andes-Amazon Conservation Corridor was not simply a collection of beautiful places; it was a living system, an engine of rainfall, biodiversity, and climate stability that the world could not afford to lose. He understood that the most effective conservationists were often not the ones who flew in from the outside, but the local community leaders who had spent their lives in these landscapes. And he understood that if you built the right relationships, secured the right protections, and invested in the right people, the results would compound for generations.
“That’s my dream for humanity.” — Ivan Gayler, founder, Nature and Culture International
Not lines on a map
That vision has produced something remarkable. Over three decades, Nature and Culture has helped protect 26.8 million acres across Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and beyond in what are, by any measure, the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Those are not abstract numbers. They represent rainforests, cloud forests, river corridors, deciduous dry forests, and high-altitude páramos that will continue to shelter life and stabilize our climate long after the rest of us are gone.
This work was accomplished through the patient, relationship-driven approach that Ivan modeled from the very beginning. The reserves and corridors we have established are not lines on a map. They are functioning ecosystems, home to species found nowhere else on Earth, sustained by communities who have chosen to be their stewards.
The work ahead
None of this happened automatically. Conservation is slow, difficult, and often invisible work. There are setbacks, funding gaps, political headwinds, and years when the progress is hard to see. What has carried Nature and Culture through all of it is Ivan’s original conviction: that this work matters more than almost anything else we can do, and that, done with integrity and care, it lasts.
As I reflect on this anniversary, I am grateful for the foundation Ivan built and for the extraordinary team that carries it forward today. I am also clear-eyed about the urgency of the moment. The forests we are racing to protect are under more pressure than ever. The next thirty years will demand the same bold, grounded, relentless commitment that Ivan bequeathed Nature and Culture at the inception.
He showed us how. Now it is our turn.
Nature and Culture International celebrates a historic milestone for conservation in the Colombian Andes. The Estrella Hídrica de Caldas has been officially established as a Regional Integrated Management District. This specific category of protected area under Colombian law is designed to balance ecosystem conservation with sustainable local land use.
This achievement is a major win for ecological connectivity in the Andes because the area retains approximately 77% of its natural land cover, making it one of the last remaining continuous forests in the department of Caldas.
Located in the west-central district of Caldas, Colombia, this new protected area spans 59,236 acres of high-value ecosystems, including sub-Andean and high-Andean forests, páramos, sub-páramos, and wetlands.
Credits: Mas Biomas
The Estrella Hídrica: A Source of Life
The area takes its name from the Estrella Hídrica, or “Hydrological Star,” a term used in conservation science to describe high-elevation points where water flows outward in multiple directions toward distinct river basins.
This “star” is the primary engine for water regulation in the region. Currently, 67% of the area directly feeds the aqueducts that provide clean drinking water to nearly 250,000 people. By protecting these vital water sources, which drain into the Cauca River—one of Colombia’s most important rivers—we are ensuring long-term water security and climate resilience for a quarter of a million residents living downstream.
Credits: Mas Biomas
A Sanctuary for Rare and Endangered Life
Beyond its role in water catchment, this landscape is a biological treasure trove home to 880 recorded species. The protection of these continuous forests provides a safe haven for:
108 endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.
33 species threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List.
89 species protected under CITES, ensuring international safeguards against the illegal trade of the area’s unique flora and fauna.
The rare “Cuatrecasas’ Lepanthes” orchid (Lepanthes cuatrecasasii) and a newly discovered species of rain frog from the genus Pristimantis.
Conservation Rooted in Coffee Culture and Community
While the Estrella Hídrica provides essential resources for thousands, it is also the ancestral home of 1,319 residents from local farming families.
The region is part of Colombia’s Coffee Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site where sustainable coffee farming and nature are deeply intertwined. The management of this new protected area will actively involve these 1,319 guardians by promoting local conservation agreements and participatory monitoring of biodiversity. This ensures that while we protect the headwaters, we also strengthen the livelihoods of the families who care for them.
The Power of Partnership
This protected area was made possible through the joint work of Más Biomas, Corpocaldas, the Gobernación de Caldas, Nature and Culture International and the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt and financial support from Andes Amazon Fund and Re:wild. Since September 2024, Nature and Culture has been a key strategic partner by providing the technical follow-up and expertise necessary to bring this long-term vision to life.
Credits: Mas Biomas
A Vision for a Resilient Future
The Estrella Hídrica de Caldas is now the largest protected area in the state. For Nature and Culture International, this success reaffirms our commitment to working at a landscape scale to implement solutions that bridge the gap between nature conservation and human well-being for generations to come.
Credits: Mas Biomas
A conversation with Renzo Paladines, Co-founder and Chief Conservation Officer, Nature and Culture
Some of the most important ideas don’t arrive fully formed. They take shape through experience, through small moments that turn out to matter more than anyone expected.
“It felt almost magical,” Renzo Paladines recalls, thinking back to the earliest days of Nature and Culture. “We were walking through a small forest with some donors. There were butterflies. The light was something else. And someone asked, ‘What can we do to protect this?'”
A simple question. But it changed everything.
Small Forests, Big Lessons: How Water Protection Shaped Our Strategy
That walk didn’t just spark an idea; it revealed something fundamental. Small forest fragments, even ones easy to overlook, carry outsized importance. Not just for the wildlife within them, but for the people living alongside them. These patches of forest are where water comes from. They are, in a very practical sense, what keeps communities alive.
“We understood that these small areas were a priority for local communities. They’re the ones that produce water. They sustain life.”
From that understanding came a new direction. Nature and Culture began partnering with local governments to protect these areas, in some cases, before the laws to do so even existed. The organization’s first municipal protected areas took shape in Loja, Ecuador, pioneering a model of community-anchored conservation that eventually helped lay the groundwork for what Ecuador now formally recognizes as Areas of Conservation and Sustainable Use (ACUS).
There was no master plan. The work in Loja wasn’t a strategy designed in advance; it was a direct response to a real need, in a real place, with real communities.
If there’s one conviction that has defined Nature and Culture across three decades, it’s that conservation is local work. It can’t be done from a desk. It’s done by the people who live on the land.
For Nature and Culture, that has never been a philosophy statement — it’s been a practical commitment that shapes every partnership we build. Rather than treating protected areas as something imposed from the outside, our model has always been to protect alongside communities, not instead of them.
Local governments, Indigenous communities, and private landowners share something fundamental, Renzo explains. They live in these territories, they manage them, and they depend on them directly.
“If communities aren’t involved, you can’t do conservation.”
Ttrotsky Viera, Zamora Chinchipe Technical Coordinator, Shuar el Kim Center
From Protected Areas to Connected Landscapes Across the Andes and Amazon
For years, the work focused on creating individual protected areas. But over time, the challenge evolved.
Managing dozens of scattered areas became complex. And science was making it clear that isolated patches aren’t enough — species need connectivity to survive and adapt.
“We realized that creating areas wasn’t sufficient. We had to connect them.”
That’s how the mosaic approach was born — landscapes where national protected areas, subnational zones, private reserves, and Indigenous territories work together as a unified system. Conservation at the scale that nature actually needs.
The Amazonian Platform and Andes Amazon Conservation Corridor: Scaling Forest Protection Across Borders
Mosaics solved the management problem. But connectivity at true Andes-Amazon scale required something larger. Nature and Culture’s two most ambitious programs grew from that recognition. The Amazonian Platform and the Andes Amazon Conservation Corridor bring together local governments, Indigenous organizations, and civil society across national borders, spanning ecosystems from the high Andes down through the Amazon basin, in pursuit of a shared goal.
“It was an evolution. Mosaics help with management. But when you’re talking about true connectivity and scale, you need a program vision.”
30 Years of Adaptive Conservation Strategy: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Why It Matters
Nature and Culture’s story isn’t a straight line. Renzo describes it as a process of constant evolution. “We started by creating areas. Then we understood we needed sustainable financing, so water funds emerged. Then we realized governance was the key piece. All of it has been a learning process.”
Not every approach worked. Productive development projects proved harder than expected, not at the production level, but at market access. “The problem isn’t producing. It’s getting products to market. That’s where almost every project falls apart.”
Rather than persist with what wasn’t working, Nature and Culture sharpened its focus on where it could generate the greatest impact — creating and managing protected areas, strengthening governance, and building sustainable financing mechanisms. Those three pillars define the strategy today.
One of the clearest expressions of that financing work is the Amazon Future Fund. Built on the foundation of the Amazonian Platform, the fund places decision-making power equally in the hands of Indigenous nationalities and provincial governments, channeling resources directly to the people protecting the forest rather than filtering them through distant institutions. It is an early but significant step toward durable, locally owned conservation financing at Amazon scale.
Scaling Community-Based Conservation From Ecuador Across Latin America
“I never thought we’d be able to grow into other countries,” Renzo admits.
What began in Ecuador’s forests found resonance in Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and beyond — not because the model was imposed, but because the conversations with local leaders in each new country turned out to be, at their core, the same conversation about forests, water, and the communities that depend on both.
“It always comes back to our dependence on ecosystems.”
And the same three pillars that shaped the strategy in Ecuador — creating protected areas, strengthening local governance, and building sustainable financing — proved just as relevant everywhere else. Thirty years of applying that approach across Latin America has added up to 26.8 million acres protected and 3.9 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent stored — a contribution to climate stability that could only have been built from the ground up.
Forest Conservation in the Next 30 Years: Why the Stakes Have Never Been Higher
The future, without a doubt, won’t be simple.
Renzo names three pressing concerns going forward: growing pressure on natural resources, the weakening of international cooperation, and the accelerating impact of climate change, even in forests that appear intact and well-managed. “You can have a healthy forest, with rangers, with funding, and still lose species to climate change.”
That honesty is part of what thirty years of conservation work produces. Not cynicism, but clarity about what’s actually at stake — and what it takes to meet the moment. The threats are real. So is the foundation that’s been built to face them: millions of acres under protection, Indigenous and local governments with real governance power, and financing models designed to outlast any single donor cycle.
The question now isn’t whether this work matters. It’s whether it can grow fast enough.
A Collective Conservation Model, Built to Last
What comes through most clearly in this conversation is that Nature and Culture has never operated from the top-down. Every protected area, every governance structure, every financing mechanism has been built collectively — through relationships, through failures, through the hard-won trust of communities who had every reason to be skeptical of outside organizations.
“It’s been a collective effort. Experiences, learning, failures, and successes — all of it has shaped a different way of doing conservation. From the local level, with many partners, and with a long view.”
Thirty years later, that core is still intact.
And maybe it all started with a simple question, asked by someone standing in a small forest, watching the light come through the trees:
What can we do to protect this?
The answer, it turns out, takes thirty years to build. And it’s not finished yet.
Mark your calendars! Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd.
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to safeguard our planet for future generations.
Why do we celebrate Earth Day?
Earth Day is celebrated to raise awareness about environmental issues such as pollution, deforestation, climate change, and endangered species. It encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action to preserve and protect the Earth’s natural resources.
Why is Earth Day important?
Earth Day is crucial because it brings people together to advocate for sustainable practices and policies. By promoting environmental awareness and activism, Earth Day plays a vital role in inspiring positive change and fostering a deeper connection between humanity and the planet.
Earth Day Facts
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, and is credited with launching the modern environmental movement.
Earth Day is now observed in over 190 countries, making it one of the largest secular observances in the world.
The theme for Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet,” the campaign focuses on accelerating clean energy, increasing accountability for environmental damage, and promoting community-scale climate solutions.
This Earth Day, your gift to Nature and Culture International helps protect some of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems on the planet. From the Amazon rainforest to Andean cloud forests, we work hand-in-hand with Indigenous peoples, local communities, and governments to conserve millions of acres of vital habitat. Every donation—big or small—drives lasting, locally led solutions for our planet’s future. Join us in safeguarding nature, culture, and life on Earth.
Join Us in Celebrating Earth Day Together, Let’s Make a Difference for Our Planet.
Deforestation is the clearing of trees from large expanses of forest. This process disrupts ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon dioxide, and often leads to soil erosion and habitat loss for countless plant and animal species. Forests are not just collections of trees; they are vital ecosystems that support an incredible array of life, from plants and animals to Indigenous communities who depend on them for their livelihoods and cultural heritage.
Deforestation is a significant environmental issue with far-reaching consequences for local communities and the planet.
Solutions to deforestation
We protect threatened forests in partnership with the communities who live there.
Unlike nature reserves in the U.S., many of these forests are home to people who have lived on the land for centuries. The relationships we have built with the people who live in the areas we work to protect are key to our success. From municipal and local level protection to national level protection, to land purchase when necessary, no matter the method, we always consider the local communities who live in these areas along with long-term ecosystem health.
In 25+ years, Nature and Culture has never seen a protected area reversed and we believe that is because of our commitment to serving local communities.
Our co-management model is what sets us apart. Providing access to legal tools to establish a protected area, technical training for skills such as monitoring a protected area for threats, or investing in a new means of sustainably generating income from local resources are just a few ways we provide solutions to deforestation.
Our protected areas are living, breathing, dynamic spaces that require fostering relationships and understanding local needs. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are often the initial advocates for the protected areas we support. We provide them with the tools to safeguard natural resources.
Effects of deforestation
Why is deforestation a bad thing?
Forests cover approximately one-third of the Earth’s land surface and play crucial roles in supporting the lives of millions of people. They are incredibly biodiverse habitats, housing more than half of the world’s land-based animals, plants, and insects. Forests help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and serve as natural buffers against storms and floods. They are essential for drinking water in nearly half of the world’s largest cities. They also offer shelter, employment opportunities, and security to forest-dependent communities.
However, according to the latest FAO UN Global Forest Resources Assessment, approximately 24.7 million acres of forest are lost yearly, with 95% of this loss occurring in tropical regions. Many of the world’s most biodiverse forests, such as the Amazon rainforest in South America, are disappearing or facing a critical tipping point. The Amazon rainforest, in particular, exhibits reduced resilience, meaning it has a diminished ability to regenerate lost areas due to deforestation. Experts warn that the Amazon rainforest is reaching a point of no return, where large-scale dieback occurs, transforming much of the forest into savanna. This would have devastating ecological consequences and impact global climate patterns and biodiversity.
How does deforestation affect climate change?
Clearing forests reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb CO2 and increases greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately disrupting climate patterns.
Reducing Carbon Sequestration: Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to sequester carbon, leading to increased levels of atmospheric CO2.
Emissions of Greenhouse Gases: When forests are cleared or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2. Additionally, deforestation contributes to emissions of other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide from forest degradation and soil disturbance.
Altered Climate Patterns: Deforestation disrupts local and regional climate patterns by affecting evapotranspiration, cloud formation, and rainfall. Changes in land use can lead to shifts in temperature, precipitation, and weather extremes.
How does deforestation affect the environment?
Deforestation is a major driver of climate change: Every time we lose a forest we’re not only releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, but we’re also no longer capturing the carbon, a key greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. Addressing deforestation, particularly in tropical regions, is imperative in combatting climate change.
Forests are essential for human well-being: They provide us with clean air, fresh water, food, and materials for shelter, medicine, and fuel. Forests help regulate local and global climates, stabilize soils, purify water sources, and provide important ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. They alleviate poverty and provide food security.
Deforestation threatens the survival of countless species: More than half the world’s land-based plants and animals, and three-quarters of all birds, live in and around forests. They conserve global biodiversity.
Causes of deforestation
Industrial agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, accounting for around 85% of global deforestation. Clearing land for crops or livestock has been in practice for hundreds of years, however, the globalization of food production has intensified this practice to meet growing global demand. This is especially evident in industries like beef production, large-scale soy cultivation, and palm oil production, where forests are cleared at an unsustainable rate to satisfy worldwide consumption.
Timber logging, or wood extraction is another cause of deforestation.
Mining is increasingly driving deforestation in the Amazon and Tropical Andes. In search of precious metals such as gold, mining clears the forest to dig excavation pits and access roads.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in global weather patterns including severe heat waves, floods, and droughts, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
Why is Climate Change Important?
Climate change is important because it poses a significant threat to the environment, human health, and global stability. It leads to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, habitat loss, and disruption of ecosystems, impacting food and water security, biodiversity, and economies worldwide.
What is Extreme Weather?
Extreme weather includes heat waves, freezes, heavy downpours, tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and floods. These events are considered extreme when they fall out of the normal range for a particular region and these are all becoming more common as our climate shifts.
Causes of Climate Change
Climate change is primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The main contributors include:
Burning Fossil Fuels: The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases.
Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, and urbanization reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb CO2 and contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Industrial Processes: Manufacturing, transportation, and other industrial activities emit greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.
Solutions to Climate Change
Addressing climate change requires collective action and innovative solutions. Some key strategies include:
Reforestation: Restore and expand forests to sequester carbon dioxide and enhance natural carbon sinks.
Transition to Renewable Energy: Invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry through technology upgrades, conservation measures, and smart design.
Climate Policy: Implement policies and regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable practices, and incentivize climate-friendly behaviors.
Is it Too Late to Stop Climate Change?
While the impacts of climate change are already being felt, it is not too late to take action. Urgent and ambitious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate risks, and adapt to changing conditions can help limit the severity of future impacts.
What Can We Do to Reduce Climate Change?
Individuals, communities, businesses, and governments all have a role in combating climate change. Here are some actions we can take:
Reduce energy consumption and use energy-efficient appliances.
Minimize waste and recycle materials to reduce emissions from landfills.
Support sustainable transportation options such as walking, cycling, and public transit.
Advocate for climate-friendly policies and support organizations working on climate solutions.
Together, Let’s Take Action to Address Climate Change and Protect Our Planet for Future Generations.
An animal habitat refers to the natural environment where a particular species of animal lives, finds shelter, and fulfills its basic needs such as food, water, and reproduction.
Types of Animal Habitats
There are various types of animal habitats, including:
Forest Habitats: Dense forests provide homes to diverse species of mammals, birds, insects, and plants.
Aquatic Habitats: Rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water bodies support aquatic life such as fish, amphibians, and aquatic plants.
Desert Habitats: Harsh desert environments are inhabited by specially adapted species like camels, snakes, and cacti.
Grassland Habitats: Open grasslands host grazing mammals, birds, and insects, forming vital ecosystems.
Ways to Protect Animal Habitats
Protecting animal habitats is crucial for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of countless species. Here are some effective ways to safeguard animal habitats:
Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors: Recognize the importance of connectivity between habitats and advocate for the establishment of wildlife corridors to allow animals to move freely between fragmented habitats.
Habitat Restoration: Participate in habitat restoration projects such as tree planting, wetland restoration, and beach cleanups.
Sustainable Practices: Adopt sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and urban development to minimize habitat destruction.
Education and Awareness: Educate others about the importance of protecting animal habitats and promote responsible environmental stewardship.
Conservation Initiatives: Support our work and initiatives focused on preserving natural habitats and wildlife.
Why is it Important to Protect Animal Habitats?
Protecting animal habitats is essential for several reasons:
Biodiversity Conservation: Habitats support a wide range of plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
Ecosystem Services: Healthy habitats provide vital ecosystem services such as clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation.
Species Survival: Protecting habitats ensures the survival of endangered species and maintains ecological balance.
Human Well-being: Preserving animal habitats benefits human well-being by providing recreational opportunities, cultural significance, and natural resources.
Join Us in Our Efforts to Protect Animal Habitats! Together, Let’s Ensure a Sustainable Future for Wildlife.
At COP30 in Belém, Nature and Culture International is showcasing how community-led action is shaping the future of forest conservation and climate resilience. Through the Amazonian Platform and the Amazon Future Fund, we are working hand in hand with Indigenous Peoples and local governments to protect the health of the Ecuadorian Amazon, safeguarding over 14 million acres of rainforest that store 2.8 billion tons of carbon and sustain the global climate, biodiversity, and human well-being.
Nature and Culture, Alianza Mesoamericana de Pueblos y Bosques (AMPB), SAMA Health In Harmony
Panel Discussion
11th of November, 4:30 pm | Abema House
From the Amazon to the Pacific: Forest Protection, Community Engagement, and Jurisdictional Governance in Colombia & Ecuador.
Tiyua Uyunkar joins other GCF governors and representatives to discuss forest protection in Colombia and Ecuador.
GCF Task Force, Nature and Culture, Earth Innovation Institute
Panel Discussion
12th of November, 4:30 pm | Abema House
Advancing the New Forest Economy: Governors’ Roundtable on Scaling Subnational Leadership & Investment in Tropical Forests.
Tiyua Uyunkar, along with governors from Bolivia, Brazil, Perú, and Mexico, discuss how they bring financing to their jurisdictions to advance jurisdictional approaches.
GCF Task Force, Regions
Panel Discussion
13th of November, 11:30 am | Blue Zone (Side Event Room 3)
Driving Climate Impact from the Ground Up: Implementing New Forest Economies, Climate Finance, Indigenous Digital Sovereignty, and Climate Communications at the Subnational Level.
Tiyua Uyunkar, along with other governors, will discuss bioeconomy and territorial funds.
A conservation update on our wins across Latin America, and a look at the impact you’ve made on some of our biggest projects so far in 2025.
We have a lot to celebrate! You’ve helped create five new protected areas, including Corazón de la Amazonía and Cutervo in the Andean Bi-National Corridor linking key ecosystems in Ecuador and Peru. In Bolivia’s Chaco, communities are advancing wildfire prevention in one of the region’s most threatened landscapes.
Thank you for making this impact real.
Protecting Nature and Going Big for the Planet
In 2024, we deepened our impact across some of the most biodiverse and threatened regions of Latin America. From expanding protected areas in the Andes to advancing Indigenous-led conservation in the Amazon, our work was guided by one powerful belief: conservation must work for nature and for people.
Our annual impact report reflects the collective efforts of local communities, partners, and supporters like you. Together, we’re not just protecting landscapes—we’re shaping a future where ecosystems thrive and communities lead the way.
With January drawing to a close, we’re looking ahead to a crucial year for conservation. Here’s how we plan to strengthen our mission in 2025 and beyond.
There’s no denying that 2024 was a challenging year. Communities around the world felt the effects of climate change firsthand: devastating floods, prolonged droughts, uncontrolled wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures. If there were ever a sign to act, 2024 gave it to us loud and clear.
But challenges are not roadblocks; they are calls to action. And action is what we do best.
2025 is a critical year for nature. It is a year for bold action, for strengthening alliances, and for doubling down on our commitment to the planet’s most biodiverse places.
Over the last 25 years, Nature and Culture has worked to protect large, intact, and interconnected forests that sustain life, safeguard biodiversity, and help combat climate change. We believe that conservation is most effective when led by those closest to the land—local communities, Indigenous peoples, and regional governments. And in 2025, we are prepared to strengthen our efforts and expand our impact like never before!
Our goals for 2025 onward
Expanding protected areas: We will continue working with local and Indigenous partners to establish new protected areas, particularly in vital regions like the Amazon rainforest and the Andean-Amazonian Transboundary Conservation Corridor.
Strengthening long-term conservation efforts: Creating a protected area is just the beginning. We are committed to safeguarding these landscapes for generations. This means implementing funding mechanisms and long-term strategies that guarantee effective conservation and management.
Fostering collaboration: The challenges facing our planet cannot be solved alone. Conservation requires coordinated efforts from governments, local communities, Indigenous groups, and partner organizations. Together, we can scale up our impact and protect more land than ever before.
Together, let’s give it our all for nature!
Connecting vast regions of biodiverse landscapes in the Amazon and Andes
Nature and Culture at COP16 the 2024 Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia
The COP16 Biodiversity Conference will bring global leaders together to address the urgent need to reverse biodiversity loss, setting critical targets for safeguarding ecosystems. Nature and Culture International’s work aligns with these goals, as we collaborate with local communities to protect millions of hectares of biodiverse landscapes, contributing directly to global conservation efforts.
Learn more about how we work and some of our most urgent projects in the resources below
Calendar of Events Nature and Culture at COP16
Join Nature and Culture for a series of inspiring events, where we’ll showcase some of our transformational conservation work across Latin America.
October 21 – 30, 2024
21st of October, 6:30 pm | Green Zone (Banco de Occidente) PANEL OF EXPERTS
A Socially, Ecologically, & Culturally Connected Amazon: The most effective way to protect biodiversity and ensure water on the continent
Dialogue with our partners of the North Amazon Alliance about the benefits of a well-connected Amazon
Hosted by: The North Amazon Alliance
22nd of October, 4:00 pm | Casa Humboldt ROUND TABLE
Conservation Case Studies in Colombia’s Pacific Region
Santiago Castillo, Researcher at Humboldt Institute, will share our community-based conservation initiatives in Colombia
Hosted by: Humboldt Institute, Nature and Culture, WCS
22nd of October, 5:00 pm | Casa Humboldt (contact for invite) PRESENTATION
Half-Earth Day 2024 – Knowledge for Life
Matt Clark, Nature and Culture’s Executive Director will present “The Importance of Sub-National Protected Areas for Biodiversity Conservation”
Hosted by: E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
24th of October, 8:00 am | Nature Positive Pavillion (Blue Zone) INTERACTIVE SESSION
Finding Financial Mechanisms for Territories & Conservation Areas under Indigenous and Local Community Management
Renzo Paladines, Nature and Culture’s Conservation Director willpresent the Amazon Fund, an innovative financing mechanism supporting conservation in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Hosted by: PEW Research Center, WCS, Bezos Earth Fund, Nature and Culture
27th of October, 2:00 pm | Blue Zone (Colombia Pavilion) PANEL OF EXPERTS
A Socially, Ecologically, & Culturally Connected Amazon: The most effective way to protect biodiversity and ensure water on the continent
Dialogue with our partners of the North Amazon Alliance about the benefits of a well-connected Amazon
A conservation update on our efforts across Latin America, and a deeper look at some of our biggest projects yet.
Welcome to the summer edition of Nature and Culture’s Newsletter. We have a lot to celebrate! From Peru’s Mar Tropical de Grau to the rain-soaked Chocó rainforest of Colombia, journey with us as we explore thriving landscapes and the communities that protect them.
The effectiveness of our collaborative efforts is remarkable, and none of this would have been possible without you, our Nature and Culture Community! Since our founding, in total we have protected 26 million acres, preventing 3.9 billion tons of CO2 emissions!
As you read through our Impact Report, we invite you to join us in celebrating our achievements.
Here’s a look at some of the incredible work you helped support over the last year.
On February 1, 2023, two Indigenous nationalities came together with the Provincial Government of Morona Santiago, Ecuador to create the 3,057,670-acre reserve, named Tarímiat Pujutaí Nunka in Shuar, which roughly translates to “Territory of Good Living.”
With the generous support of our donors and partners, Nature and Culture has been working since 2021, to facilitate a participatory process that led to the protection of this massive connected Amazonian forest. This process involved hosting 21 community meetings, during which 893 community members shared their traditional ecological knowledge, worldviews, and visions for a sustainable future within their ancestral territory to preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.
The declaration of this area aims to improve the quality of life for local communities through sustainable development opportunities, while safeguarding its 744 million tons of above-ground carbon stores.
Tarímiat Pujutaí Nunka joins as the centerpiece of the Amazonian Platform, a collaborative alliance uniting 7 Indigenous nationalities and 3 Provincial Governments in protecting 11 million acres of continuous Amazonian rainforest. About the size of West Virginia, U.S. in total, this impressive biological corridor collectively sequesters an estimated 2.3 billion tons of above-ground carbon.
The opportunity for Nature and Culture to attend the international climate conference, COP27, in 2022, and amplify Indigenous voices in climate action was a significant milestone for the organization. In 2023, we continued to build on the momentum and champion the presence of Indigenous leaders in pivotal international forums.
In March 2023, Josefina Tunki, former President of the Shuar Arutam Nationality, journeyed to the United Nations Water Conference in New York alongside Nature and Culture, Executive Director, Matt Clark. Josefina delivered a compelling presentation on the critical issue of water resources in the Amazon. Josefina’s perspective was enriched by her deep connection to the land, stemming from her leadership in safeguarding the 3-million-acre protected area, Tarímiat Pujutaí Nunka. She is fighting to keep her ancestral territory free of mining activities that have devastated her community.
Later in the year, our esteemed partners, Governor of Morona Santiago, Tiyua Uyunkar and Pastaza Governor André Granda, took the stage at COP28, proudly representing the Amazonian Platform—a testament to the collaborative efforts between Nature and Culture, subnational governments, and local Indigenous communities. They shared the remarkable successes achieved in protecting the Ecuadorian Amazon. Together, we’re safeguarding an astonishing 11 million acres of pristine forest, forming the largest biological corridor in Ecuador.
By facilitating the participation of Indigenous leaders in global dialogues, we are supporting them in reshaping the narrative on conservation and climate action. Their invaluable insights, rooted in millennia of lived experience, are indispensable in shaping policies and solutions. As we forge ahead, Nature and Culture remains steadfast in our resolve to amplify Indigenous voices, ensuring that their rightful place at the forefront of the environmental movement is acknowledged and respected on a global scale.
In 2019, we celebrated the establishment of the Ñembi Guasu protected area, safeguarding 3 million acres in the Bolivian Gran Chaco. That same year, the world watched in horror as wildfires ravaged the country’s southern region of Santa Cruz.
Since then, Nature and Culture and one of our local implementation partners, have been working to ensure the long-term health of the Ñembi Guasu area. We’re doing this in several ways, including the creation of a management framework and sustainable finance mechanism, the development of a firefighting patrol, and post-wildfire reforestation projects. Recognizing the growing risk of fire in Bolivia’s precious dry forests, we have provided firefighting tools, conducted fire safety awareness campaigns, and devised emergency firefighting strategies to mitigate future disasters.
Helping communities adapt to climate change is crucial because, despite efforts to mitigate its causes, the impacts of climate change are already being felt globally. These impacts often disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. By supporting adaptation measures, such as building resilience, enhancing infrastructure, and implementing early warning systems, communities can better withstand the effects of climate change and minimize associated risks to livelihoods, health, and well-being.
In the last eight years, Nature and Culture has documented more than 450 species of birds in areas we protect in the northern Tropical Andes of Peru, 24 percent of the country’s recognized avian species. Our work here spans a 3,763,481-acre ecoregion of high-altitude grasslands and cloud forests.
Two new subnational areas are in the works which will join to surrounding protected areas between the departments of Huánuco and San Martín, Peru. This ecoregion provides critical habitat connectivity and food resources to birds and other wildlife in the region.
Monitoring wildlife within the areas we protect is just one way we gauge the efficacy of our work. It also allows us to prioritize new areas for conservation as species’ ranges shift in response to climate change.
In Ecuador, Water Protection Areas (WPAs) are a unique conservation measure aimed at safeguarding water resources for local populations and protecting key watersheds and their surrounding ecosystems. These areas legally shield forests and natural ecosystems from harmful activities like mining, ensuring a clean water supply and food security for local communities. From 2019 to 2022, our team in Ecuador spearheaded a comprehensive national-level hydrological study. This effort culminated in the creation of a Priority Map of Hydric Zones covering approximately 17.3 million acres. The study was instrumental in aiding the Ecuadorian government in prioritizing its watershed conservation projects, called Water Protection Areas.
Since the inception of this conservation mechanism, 32 Water Protection Areas have been established, 20 with Nature and Culture’s support. In 2023 alone, 12 areas were established, protecting 150,000 acres, and bringing positive change to the lives of 85,000 residents.
Great news for conservation in Colombia! A new protected area, Las Siete Sabias-Esperanza de Vida, has been declared, spanning 75,115 acres of Colombian Chocó rainforest.
We are pleased to announce the creation of this area, which is considered an Integrated Management Regional District, a category of protected area that gives communities who live in the area the right to sustainable development activities.
This natural and cultural gem is collectively managed by the Afro-Colombian communities in the central rainforest of Colombia. This area is one of the rainiest regions in the Americas and the third rainiest globally. It is situated in the Chocó-Tumbes-Magdalena region known for its abundant biodiversity.
Natural Wonders of the Chocó Tropical Rainforest
In the Chocó region, the forests reach remarkable heights, with some reaching up to 125 feet. This, coupled with high humidity creates a unique forest with many layers that become diverse habitats for both animals and plants.
Research carried out in the region has revealed a rich diversity of fauna and flora, including 90 plant species and 479 animal species (210 birds, 117 mammals, 44 amphibians, 75 reptiles, and 33 fish), though the actual numbers are likely higher. This area has also gained international recognition as a crucial site for bat conservation known as an Important Area for Bat Conservation (AICOM).
Common fruit bat (Carollia perspicillata) | Image credits: Felipe Villegas
Within the area, notable rivers include Pacurita, Tutunendo, Guadalupe, and Cabí. The latter is of vital importance as it supplies local water systems, benefiting approximately 108 thousand people.
View of the Tutuendo River | Image credits: CODECHOCÓ
A community commitment to conservation
The name for this area, ‘Siete Sabias’, was selected by the local communities and pays homage to the seven Afro-Colombian community councils within the protected area that have played a vital role in the declaration process. The second half of the name, ‘Esperanza de Vida’ or lifespan in English, symbolizes the regional progress that this protected area has contributed to.
In 2019, the communities, through the Greater Community Council (COCOMACIA), started a dialog allowing for studies in the region. Initially, the declaration proposal included 12,000 acres, but the community’s interest in organizing the territory led to an expanded proposal of more than 74,000 acres.
Community meetings | Image credits: Santiago Castillo, Humboldt InstituteCommunity outreach sessions | Image credits: Santiago Castillo, Humboldt Institute
“We are truly happy, not only because the area is important for the country’s biodiversity, hosting a variety of endemic species and other emblematic ones such as bats, but also because this declaration was achieved through the participation of various entities and community councils. Therefore, it represents a collective decision,” says Santiago Castillo, a researcher at the Humboldt Institute and implementing partner of NCI in Colombia.
DRMI: A protection category that allows sustainable use of natural resources
District of Integrated Management (DRMI) is a category granted to landscapes and ecosystems that maintain their natural composition and function. It is a regionally protected area that allows for the sustainable use of resources by local communities, contributing to the fight against deforestation, informal mining, soil and water pollution, as well as the management of human settlements in risk zones.
Puerto Quibdó | Image credits: Santiago Castillo, Humboldt Institute
The declaration of the DRMI Central Rainforest Las Siete Sabias – Esperanza de Vida was possible thanks to the coordination of Codechocó as the environmental authority, the implementation of CORPARIEN and COCOMACIA, the technical support of the Humboldt Institute, and the financial support of Nature and Culture International, Andes Amazon Fund, and Re:wild.
Our commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of this remarkable region remains unwavering, and it is thanks to supporters like you that our projects continue to thrive. Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Real Stories. Real Impact.
Great news for conservation in Colombia! The Integrated Management Regional District, Cuchilla del San Juan extends its protection zone, now totaling 73,273.91 acres.
Integrated Management Regional District, (DRMI) is a category of protected area that gives communities who live in the area the right to sustainable development activities.
Cuchilla del San Juan supplies water to 33 community aqueducts, 1,919 direct users, and 68 villages with around 8,000 residents.
Approximately 92.3% of the land cover of the protected area is Andean and sub-Andean forest in a good state of conservation.
The initiative to conserve Cuchilla del San Juan began in the early 1990s. In 2000, the area was officially declared an Integrated Management Regional District (DRMI) protected area. This declaration included an expansion of 27,277.96 acres. The DRMI category of protected areas in Colombia includes an action plan and regulates the use and management of renewable natural resources and economic activities that take place within them. Cuchilla del San Juan is home to communities whose main economic activity is agriculture; mainly sugarcane, plantain, cocoa, livestock, and fish farming.
In February 2020, Nature and Culture began the process of another expansion in coordination with the Humboldt Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society, and communities that live within the protected area and its surroundings. Today 45,993.72 acres have been added to the area, totaling 73,273.91 acres of protected Andean and sub-Andean forests.
Panoramic of Cuchilla del San Juan | Photo: Humboldt Institute
A key area for conserving water and biodiversity
Located in west-central Colombia, Cuchilla del San Juan supplies potable water to 33 community aqueducts, 1,919 direct users, and 68 villages with around 8,000 inhabitants.
The most abundant river (96,091 ft3/sec) that empties into the Pacific Ocean in America is born in Cuchilla del San Juan: the San Juan River. This river is very important for the Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities of the Chocó since they live on its banks and use it for fishing and navigation.
Because it is located at the confluence of the Andean Chocó and the Tropical Andes, Cuchilla del San Juan is key to Colombia’s ecosystem connectivity and a hotspot for biodiversity. Findings from biological expeditions carried out in the expanded area recorded 1,636 species of both plants and animals; among them, the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the puma (Puma concolor) and birds of interest for ecological tourism such as the aurinegra tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys) and the Tatamá bangsia (Bangsia aureocincta).
Puma (Puma concolor) Photo: Humboldt Institute
Of the identified species, 116 are endemic. Among plants, it is estimated that there are 47 endemic species; of which, 14 are threatened, including the Magnolia jardinensis (endemic and Critically Endangered) and Magnolia urraoensis (endemic and Endangered) trees.
Of the species registered, 307 are declining in population. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN), 53 are Threatened, 8 are Critically Endangered, 13 are Endangered, and 27 are Vulnerable.
“We were blind to the wealth we have because we see it every day. We were unaware of its potential, not only for our environment but globally. It is a corridor that covers us from the south of Antioquia to Tatamá. We have a pantry rich in fauna and flora”.
– Luis Elías Grajales, Community Resident
Thanks to the expansion of the protected area of Cuchilla del San Juan, species in the area grow in status as Conservation Object Values (COV), demanding a management plan to maintain and increase the number of existing individuals and prevent their decline.
Long-term protection of the area and local challenges
The abundance of life and richness within the protected area of Cuchilla del San Juan may increase its potential for threats.
Pressures on the health of the area include negative interactions between people and wildlife, such as cats and eagles, unplanned agricultural activities, and monoculture systems. It will also be a challenge to regulate local communities’ use of natural resources in the area and for the local environmental authority to minimize negative effects on the protected area through surveillance and control strategies.
With the declaration of this expansion, the management plan of the area will be updated, identifying opportunities for local benefit that contribute to the conservation, such as activities to strengthen governance, sustainable production systems, sustainable tourism, ecological restoration, and biodiversity monitoring.
A collaborative effort
Photo: Humboldt Institute
The expansion process of the DRMI Cuchilla del San Juan was made possible thanks to the active participation and commitment of the communities of the municipalities of Pueblo Rico and Mistrató, the articulated work of the Humboldt Institute, WCS, Carder, the environmental authority, Fecomar and the support of Nature and Culture International and Andes Amazon Fund.
“Social dialogue is key to being able to consolidate a protected area project. Partnering with local social and environmental organizations is strategic to build capacities around conservation and thus give it sustainability over time. The communities that inhabit this area will also benefit through support for projects to promote sustainable ecological tourism and the strengthening of their capacities.”
-Luis Santiago Castillo, Researcher at the Humboldt Institute and Nature and Culture partner
Not all rainforests are alike
Rainforests are ecosystems that experience a large amount of annual rainfall. They support an incredible number of plants, animals, and other life forms. Although they occur in different parts of the planet, tropical rainforests are found on and around the equator where sunlight is consistent throughout the year.
Nature and Culture International has projects and protected areas in rainforest ecosystems in many types of rainforest in South America. Our work occurs in the lowland Amazon rainforest, cloud forests in the Andes, and the Chocó forest of coastal Colombia and northern Ecuador.
Andean Cloud Forest: Highland rainforest
The extraordinary cloud forests of the Andes are a type of mid-altitude tropical rainforest. When humid air, transpired from the billions of trees in the lowland Amazon, moves west and up the mountain slopes of the Andes, some of it condenses and falls as rain. Some remain in the form of low clouds and mist, which condenses directly onto the foliage of cloud forest trees.
Cloud forests extend from about 3,000 feet in elevation up to about 8,000 feet, so temperatures tend to be cooler than in lowland rainforests. The terrain is often on steep slopes, with more open canopy, leading to more vegetation on the forest floor.
These higher-elevation forests are characterized by waterfalls and quick-moving, shallow rivers.
Cloud forest trees are often covered in plants called epiphytes, which capture much of the moisture found in cloud forests. Clouds and mist condense on the epiphytes’ leaves and pool at the bases of epiphytes (providing habitat for insects and some types of frogs). Trees here are generally shorter than in lowland rainforest, hence the cloud forest tree canopy is lower.
Nature and Culture is currently working with local communities and authorities in our North Andes Mosaic to protect highland forest in Peru which is essential for providing water resources to over two million people who live in the region.
Amazon: Tropical rainforest east of the Andes
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest on Earth, with the highest density of plant and animal species anywhere.
This region provides essential ecological services, stabilizing the world’s rainfall patterns and storing massive amounts of carbon that mitigate climate change.
This lowland rainforest is east of the Andes mountain range and spans eight South American countries. The Amazon is impressively large, more than double the size of the next two largest rainforests combined. It is also well known for its mighty Amazon River which is made up of 1,100 tributaries, including the Marañón River which is considered the source of the Amazon in Peru.
The province of Loreto, Peru, is facing the second-highest rate of deforestation in Peru. Nature and Culture is currently partnering with Indigenous communities and local authorities through sustainable livelihood projects in our Nanay-Tigre Mosaic.
Chóco: Coastal rainforest west of the Andes
On a strip of forest in western Colombia and Northwestern Ecuador, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andean mountain range is the Chocó forest.
It is a dense and diverse tropical rainforest that blends with adjoining mangrove forests, rocky cliffs, and coastal plains.
It is one of the world’s wettest rainforests and one of the most biologically rich areas in the world. Many species here cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, such as the golden poison frog (one of the three most poisonous vertebrates in the world).
Between two to three percent of this ecosystem is left, making it one of the most threatened and lesser-known forests in the world. With Nature and Culture International’s support, the Bajo Baudó protected area was established in 2018. This is the largest regional protected area ever created in Colombia. We are currently working in our Southern Chocó Mosaic to declare two new protected areas and establish sustainable management plans.
Why we protect rainforests
Although rainforests only cover 6 percent of our planet, an estimated 80 percent of terrestrial animals, plants, and fungi species worldwide live within them. Many species have not yet even been described by science. Rainforests contain a huge amount of biodiversity, which has major implications for our health, including improving mental well-being, preventing zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans – e.g. West Nile virus, Lyme Disease, and some types of coronaviruses, among many others) from entering human populations, and providing fresh water, clean air, and vital medicines. Indigenous peoples have lived in and sustainably managed tropical rainforests for centuries, if not millennia. Many Indigenous communities are reliant upon the natural resources that the rainforest provides, particularly clean water.
By destroying rainforests, humans are exacerbating the climate crisis by releasing additional CO2 into the atmosphere. All rainforests have a huge volume of carbon stored in the vast amount of vegetation they house. There is so much carbon stored in these ecosystems that, if released, it would not be able to be restored by the 2050 global goal of reaching net-zero emissions; this is known as “Irrecoverable Carbon”.
For World Rainforest Day
and every day, it is important to support rainforest conservation and raise awareness of the threats they face.
We know we can do better for Earth. You can help by spreading awareness and supporting Nature and Culture’s nature-based solutions by pledging your $10 monthly gift today.
Defends wild places from deforestation, mining, and other unsustainable activities
Connects irreplaceable habitat for threatened plants and animals
Supports Indigenous and local communities in mapping, monitoring, and managing forests for the long-term
Preserves the services these ecosystems provide to us all, including clean water and a stable climate
Over the course of a year, you’ll care for 12 acres – the size of 6 professional soccer fields!
For World Rainforest Day, will you join our community of monthly donors who have pledged to protect South America’s rainforests year-round?
Real Stories. Real Impact.
New protected areas, beekeeping for conservation, and gender equity in reforestation are a few of the stories you’ll explore in our 2023 Spring Newsletter!
Make a donation today to continue supporting projects like these!
The 6th Assessment Synthesis Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that despite progress in climate mitigation efforts, the current pace of action is insufficient to keep global temperatures below the threshold of 1.5°C. That is the threshold beyond which scientists say climate impacts increase significantly and damage becomes rapidly irreversible. Below is a summary of the report’s findings.
Action needs to happen now, this is the decisive decade
To ensure temperatures do not exceed the threshold of 1.5°C, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will need to peak within this decade, decline by 43% by 2030, and 60% by 2035. Adverse climate impacts are already far more extreme than initial reports anticipated. The current global surface temperature has already warmed 1.1°C above preindustrial levels. With this alone, there has been an increase in biodiversity loss, drought, extreme heat, and flooding, among other impacts. Despite a decrease in the cost of green energy, improved technologies, and national commitments to reduce GHG emissions. These measures have continued to increase and will fall short. Unsustainable energy use, land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production all contribute to the GHG emissions. A rapid scaling of policy and increased funding to climate is needed to achieve climate stabilization.
Even small increases in overall temperature matter
The report defines the risks, adverse impacts, and related losses and damages from climate change at varying degrees of temperature rises. At each tier, the loss of biodiversity increases, access to clean water and food decreases, and sea levels rise. There is no question that any positive changes to keep global warming in check will help to avoid further loss of life and encourage ecosystem health. At a certain point, it is no longer reversible. As certain losses and damage occur, reversal and adaptation options are far less feasible, if even effective at all. It is important to take every action possible at this very moment. Hope lies in the prevention of further tipping the warming scales.
A member of the Shuar Indigenous nationality in the province of Morona Santiago, Ecuador.
Biggest impacts threaten those who have historically contributed the least to climate change
According to the IPCC, nearly half of the global population lives in areas where their lives or livelihoods are under threat of climate change. It is said that between 3.3 billion and 3.6 billion people live in countries that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts, including those within Central and South America where Nature and Culture operates. In addition, many of these areas face extreme poverty, governance challenges, and limited access to financial resources or technical support. In this 6th Assessment Report, the IPCC also notes that climate adaptation challenges are often “exacerbated by inequity and marginalization linked to gender, ethnicity, low income or combinations thereof, especially for many Indigenous Peoples and local communities.”
Data on the global inequalities of CO2 emissions reveals that higher-earning countries as well as higher-earning individuals produce more of the world’s GHGs and yet it is those who are producing the least who are most heavily impacted. The highest income-earning households contribute around 45% of the world’s consumption-based CO2 emissions, while the bottom 50% account for only around 15%.
The threats of climate change weigh more heavily on regions that are not historically responsible for the production of GHGs; however, the world is looking to many of these areas for quick adaptation efforts or asking for limitation on development that could provide an immediate higher standard of living. That is why it is important to allow these most vulnerable groups or regions inclusive governance, and transparent and participatory decision-making for mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Tropical forests provide ecosystem services such as food security and clean water and air.
What is Nature and Culture’s role?
Protecting Earth’s remaining oceans, plants, animals, and soils is the most cost-effective climate adaptation option. The most potential exists in preventing deforestation in tropical regions. For Nature and Culture that means maintaining tropical forests in the Amazon and Andes. Long-term management of our protected areas supports biodiversity resilience in the region and supports ecosystem services at a global scale, including the sequestration of billions of tons of carbon. Beyond the protection and management of these threatened forests, reforestation and agroforestry (or sustainably cultivating native crops) also contribute to climate mitigation. All these efforts can positively affect local communities if they are done in coordination with the people who live in these areas. Reforestation can improve air quality, access to clean water and food, and agroforestry techniques include economic benefits that have potential to reduce poverty and improve local livelihoods.
The Amazon Rainforest stores billions of tons of carbon and provides ecosystem services to the entire planet. Protection and long-term management of these tropical forests benefits all life on the planet.
Many climate adaptation solutions already exist and positively impact global well-being
According to the report, there are feasible, effective, low-cost, low-trade-off options already available, and many include wider societal benefits. A major conclusion of the synthesis is the need to prioritize equity, climate justice, social justice, and inclusion in the near-term actions to mitigate climate change.
Focusing on societal enhancements like education, hunger, poverty, gender, and energy access can support regions and people with the highest climate change vulnerabilities. It not only supports overall societal well-being, but it can also scaffold climate adaptation development programs. Recognition of the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples is also crucial to successful adaptation across forests and other ecosystems, according to the report. This has always been a cornerstone of Nature and Culture’s work, prioritizing the needs of the local communities we work with.
Looking to communities, governments and businesses for leadership
Cooperative climate mitigation is essential. This means including climate adaptation practices that are informed by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Truly effective climate action will involve coordination among many stakeholders. A prime example of this in action is in our work on the Amazonian Platform, This is a agreement between 7 Indigenous nationalities and local governments to manage 11 million acres of the Amazon rainforest. Nature and Culture supports projects that require buy-in from varying levels of government and marketplaces and include frameworks that hear a multitude of voices, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
At the Shuar El Kiim Center, the first Indigenous-managed, nationally recognized conservation area is celebrated by members of the Shuar community with Nature and Culture technician, Trotsky Riera.
The climate adaptation measures we implement are done in close collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities and in partnership with local government. These types of projects put people at the heart of the outcome and provide access to finance and technology that would otherwise be unavailable. They often also provide other economic benefits, such as food and water security and improve the overall health of the human populations while safeguarding biodiversity and promoting carbon sequestration.
Please join us in safeguarding our climate future by making a donation today!
