MISSION

Amazonas Conservation Initiative (ACI) is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit working in the northern Peruvian Amazon to preserve Indigenous ecological knowledge in biologically rich but under-researched regions.

ACI maintains a long-term field presence in Awajún territories, documenting through recorded testimonials, how people who live in these forests observe, are impacted by, and respond to dynamic environmental change primarily driven by human activity and climate shifts.

In Awajún territory, the first signs of ecological change affect the people who spend their lives in the forest. Hunters observe animals moving to higher elevations. Communities observe rivers rising differently and altering course. Forest soundscapes shift. Travel routes extend farther into upland terrain.

ACI’s documentation supports informed, evidence-based decision-making that helps sustain Awajún daily life while also contributing to future biodiversity research, conservation planning, and interdisciplinary study.

We record:

• First-hand field accounts
• Audio and video documentation
• Oral environmental knowledge
• Observed changes in landscape and wildlife patterns
• Acoustic and visual field data

Regional Focus

Our work takes place in remote Awajún territories in northern Peru. These mountain corridors and river systems hold high biodiversity but limited baseline data.

These landscapes are changing gradually. Hunting pressure shifts. Climate patterns vary. Wildlife redistributes. Younger generations move across the land differently than their grandparents did.

Documenting transition change matters.

In regions where long-term baseline data are limited, careful documentation today can become tomorrow’s reference point. This record strengthens future scientific reference.

Field documentation

Field documentation is the first step towards building ACI’s cultural and ecological repository of knowledge, narratives, and traditions.

We preserve:

• Indigenous ecological knowledge
• Original-language recordings and translation
• Field documentation and contextual details
• Environmental testimony linked to place and season

Institutional Structure

ACI operates under a formal board of directors and advisory structure as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Our 2026 to 2031 strategy prioritize multi-season documentation and long-term archival development.

Our work is grounded in:

• Informed consent
• Respect for Indigenous governance
• Secure archival handling
• Careful geographic discretion
• Long-term field relationships

We collaborate with researchers and institutions interested in ethical documentation in remote rainforest systems.

Philanthropic support enables:

• Sustained field presence
• Secure archival infrastructure, including digital systems, technology, policies, and personnel needed to acquire, preserve, and provide access to records
• Translation and linguistic preservation
• High-quality autio and visual environmental recording
• Structured data organization

Serious research and funding inquiries are welcome

Multi-year support enables steady field presence and archival continuity.

If you are interested in research collaboration or philanthropic partnership, we welcome serious inquiries.