Conservation in Action

The CONSERVATION IN ACTION foundation is an Ecuadorian institution formally registered with the Ministry of Tourism in 2008. The Foundation continues the work of Accion Amazonía, which was founded in 1988 to provide support to native cultures. More specifically Conservation in Action and its projects support the efforts of indigenous groups to withstand pressures for assimilation and to protect the natural forests that are both their livelihood and the essential elements of their cultural life. Conservation in Action works with many nationalities in Ecuador, providing administrative and political help to groups such as the Secoya and Quichua as well as the Huaorani. We support community managed sustainable development programmes such as Huaorani Eco-Lodge, train nature guides, hold workshops to improve the quality of crafts and write the proposals to find the funds to make it all happen. But support for native people is not just a matter of office work. At times the pressure of the loggers and oil companies is physical and requires us to be more active, standing alongside the people of the communities to directly confront the people, and the roads, that threaten them. It means constructing landing strips, solving practical problems such as shortages of aviation fuel that stop tourist groups from coming in, finding the money and support in Quito for native leaders to plead their case. Community Tourism is a commitment to human beings not simply a business, and making it happen requires patience and resources.

FOUNDATION CONSERVATION IN ACTION
Address: La Niña e7-46 y Reina Victoria (second floor)
Telf (593-2)2225907
e-mail: conservation@tropiceco.com

Additionally, check in to our regularly updated Ecological News page to see how you can support specific campaigns through letter writing and lobbying.

As part of the continuous support Conservation In Action provides to practical projects which promote sustainable development alternatives for Ecuadorian Amazon communities, the following guide was developed:

• Defending our Rainforest:

A Guide to Community-Based Ecotourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon

"This perceptive guide to community based ecotourism offers a unique introduction to important community projects that are eager to host you. If you travel with the right mind and in the right spirit, you can make an important contribution to conservation of the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador."

Megan Epler Wood 
Ecotourism expert  
 
This guide was developed by Rolf Wesche and Andy Drumm in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the British Embassy in Quito, The Ecotourism Society, Abya Yala, The University of Ottawa, and Fundación Acción Amazonía.

Cost: US$5.00 each (plus shipping)

For more information, please contact at: accionamazonia@tropiceco.com

• Our friends:
  

The Pachamama Alliance: The Mission of The Pachamama Alliance is to halt the destruction of the Earth's tropical rainforests and the loss of its indigenous cultures and to contribute to the creation of a new global vision of equity and sustainability for all.

Rainforest Action Network: RAN works to protect the Earth's rainforests
and support the rights of their inhabitants through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action.