Environment and conservation are hot topics in the world of charity these days. In catering to that interest, I’d like to spotlight a wonderful organization - the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT). ACT’s mission, conserving biodiversity, health and culture in tropical America, takes an interesting approach. They actually engage the stakeholders. Their mission statement follows.

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. The conservation of biodiversity is the primary focus of all environmental organizations working in the tropics. 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.

I was really pleased to read about ACT’s approach to conservation. It’s often the case that western cultures come in with well-intentioned objectives and sweep aside the local population in the process. In contrast, ACT has engaged the native population and is working towards solutions with those to whom it really matters. Their efforts range from medical programs that place western medicine on equal footing with shamanistic healing to supporting Shaman programs through apprenticeship, ensuring that centuries of indigenous knowledge continues to pass through to future generations. They have worked closely with Indians from the Tirio communities of the Suriname, training them (at the tribe’s request) in western cartography and with western tools such as GPS to map over 15 million acres of forest, or over 30% of the Suriname. The success of this program led to the resulting maps being adopted as the official government maps. Other tribal communities expressed interest in the results and Kwamalasamutu Indians travel to share their knowledge and techniques.

In the interest of brevity, I’ll leave it to you to visit ACT and read about the wonderful programs they are engaged in. It’s worth your time. If you have concerns about how your money might be spent, Charity Navigator has rated ACT with 4 stars, their highest rating, for both the merit of their programs and their responsible use of donations. You can rest assured that the money you choose to contribute will be spent wisely and heavily weighted towards useful programs rather than overhead and administrative costs.

Please pay ACT a visit and consider a contribution today. This isn’t just about environmentalism or the hottest trend in environmental politics. Regardless your political position, the rainforests and cultures that call them home are worth your time. Even if you discount the forest’s beauty, diverse wildlife and the rich history of the indigenous peoples, the cure for the disease that could someday threaten the life of somebody you love might be hiding in some obscure corner of the rainforest just waiting to be found. Help to save something very much worth saving. You can find ACT’s donation page here.