Community members in Alto Mayo, Peru are working to protect a unique wetland forest through sustainable ecotourism, scientific research, and participatory management of the territory. The Tingana Conservation Concession, managed by Adecaram and supported by Conservation International, covers 4,000 hectares and hosts a diverse ecosystem with renaco trees and aguajales above 800 meters. Visitors can explore flooded forests, learn about sustainable agriculture, and contribute to the community's economy while observing biodiversity through canoe tours. Camera traps have captured footage of rare wildlife like jaguarundis, margays, and birds, aiding in scientific research and environmental education efforts. The initiative has empowered local communities, broadened scientific knowledge, and emphasized the importance of preserving the ecosystem for future generations, with generational replacement being a key focus for sustainability.
Author: News.mongabay
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Women scatter seeds, restore forests in Guinea, the ‘water tower of West Africa’
The arboRise Foundation's reforestation project in Guinea has been successful in combatting deforestation and addressing the impacts of climate change, creating employment for over 1,100 people and restoring water sources. By employing local women to collect seeds and monitor tree growth, the initiative challenges traditional power dynamics and aims for long-term sustainability through carbon credits. The project provides economic benefits to participants and empowers women in traditionally male-led societal structures. Despite facing challenges in replication and vulnerability, the project offers hope and optimism in the field of environmental work, providing a beacon of positivity in the face of environmental challenges.
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Loma Santa marks first Indigenous protected area in the Bolivian Amazon
The Loma Santa Indigenous Conservation Area in the Bolivian Amazon, established through collaboration between Indigenous communities, NGOs, and the government, showcases self-governance and participatory conservation. Spanning 198,778 hectares, the area is home to a diverse range of bird species, including vulnerable ones like the harpy eagle and gray tinamou. Indigenous communities have set up monitoring posts with advanced technology to prevent illegal activities and monitor regional weather, demonstrating a model of collaboration for conservation efforts. The initiative, led by the Multiethnic Indigenous Territory, highlights the harmonious integration of nature and culture, driven by the active participation of local Indigenous groups and aiming to preserve the land for future generations.
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New ventures set out to tackle the plastic choking Bangladesh’s ECAs
Bangladesh is struggling with a significant amount of single-use plastic waste being discarded annually, leading to environmental degradation and harm to ecosystems. To address this issue, the NGO BRAC has launched a project to recycle single-use plastic waste into raw materials for plastic products in Ecologically Critical Areas, aiming to create a market for the recycled materials and promote entrepreneurship in managing plastic waste. The success of this project has prompted plans to replicate it nationwide, while the government has also implemented measures to limit single-use plastic use and promote biodegradable alternatives to protect the environment, especially in popular tourist destinations like the Sundarbans and Cox's Bazar.
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Rights to millions of hectares of Indigenous & local communities’ lands restored by ‘barefoot lawyers’
Nonette Royo, executive director of the Tenure Facility, emphasizes the importance of utilizing the legal system to secure land rights for Indigenous and local communities in various countries. The organization aims to achieve land rights and governance for 60 million hectares of forested land by 2027, currently at roughly half that goal. They have made significant progress in securing land rights through legal, formal, and social means, with a focus on community-government alliances and trust-based community-led social mapping. The Tenure Facility has secured funding totaling $150 million, allowing them to scale operations and work towards accreditation with the Green Climate Fund. The conversation also touches on the importance of listening to diverse voices to foster collaboration and find sustainable solutions to climate-related challenges.
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From waffle gardens to terraces, Indigenous groups revive farming heritage in America’s deserts
Native American farmers in the southwestern United States, such as Clayton Brascoupe, Roxanne Swentzell, and Lilian Hill, are leading efforts to revitalize traditional weather-adaptive techniques like dry farming, terracing, and seed saving. These age-old farming methods are being shared to help communities in dry regions worldwide, promoting cultural identity, self-sufficiency, and better health through better food and traditional farming practices. By incorporating animals and insects into their farming practices, they create sustainable food systems that minimize waste and maximize resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased interest in these practices as access to fresh food became limited, highlighting the importance of spreading ancient agricultural wisdom globally to address concerns about climate change and drought.
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Regenerative fashion initiative in Indonesia wins 2025 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award
Denica Riadini-Flesch won UCLA's 2025 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award for her "farm-to-closet" supply chain model with SukkhaCitta, which empowers rural women, regenerates land, and cuts pollution from synthetic dyes. The enterprise has restored over 120 acres of land, raised women's incomes by 60%, and teaches ecological literacy and entrepreneurship. The focus is on decentralized production in small farms and artisan workshops, using natural dyes and traditional techniques. Riadini-Flesch aims to show that rural artisans can lead the way in creating a regenerative future. Anthony Waddle is focusing on regenerating species, particularly the green and golden bell frog, through practical and audacious conservation methods. Seema Lokhandwala is using low-frequency sensors to detect elephant migration routes in India, reducing human-wildlife conflicts. These individuals are demonstrating how industry and conservation efforts can function more sustainably and effectively. The Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award recognizes early-career leaders combining science and moral imagination to address ecological collapse, with a focus on education as key to success in environmental innovation. Riadini-Flesch sees the award as an invitation to expand her work globally, promoting an economy based on repairing the planet and caring for all living beings.