Agency Details:

Amazon Conservation Team is an international not-for-profit organization that partners with indigenous peoples across Amazonia to conserve biodiversity, traditional culture, and health.

Description:
It is our strong belief that the people who best know, use and protect the rain forest are the indigenous people who live there. Operations in Brazil, Colombia, and Suriname have helped over two dozen tribes map, manage, and protect their territories. Through the Shaman’s and Apprentice program, ACT helps preserve knowledge of natural indigenous medicine.

History:
The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) was created in 1995 with the conviction that if international rainforest conservation efforts are to succeed, the active and meaningful participation of indigenous people is essential. At present approximately one quarter of the Amazon is in indigenous hands.

With the guidance of tribal elders, shamans, traditional authorities, and leading western conservationists, ACT has developed a uniquely successful and cost-effective approach that we term biocultural conservation. This ACT methodology incorporates the protection of biodiversity, strengthening of traditional health systems, and cultural preservation into a unified system.

Contact person: Lisa Hundley-Reeves, Volunteer Coordinator, (703) 522-4684, (email)

Address:

4211 N Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Ballston,   Walk distance (in minutes): 1   Nearest Bus Stop: Ballston Metro, 1 minute walk