To truly safeguard biodiversity, we must support the people deeply connected to the land, the Forest Guardians who carry ancient knowledge and commitment to protect it.
In the first Forest Guardians Project, the indigenous community organization Sinchi Warmi holds authority over land decisions, lead forest monitoring expeditions, and designs visitor programs.
Les Sinchi Warmi sont plus que des gardiens. Elles sont le pont vivant entre la forêt, la culture et l’avenir. Leur cosmovision ancestrale nous rappelle que vivre en harmonie avec la nature signifie reconnaître que nous sommes la nature, des parties inséparables d’un même système vivant. Depuis des générations, ces femmes et hommes kichwa parcourent les sentiers forestiers qui les entourent, connaissent les chants des oiseaux et le pouvoir guérisseur des plantes.
À travers les Gardiennes de la Forêt, ces femmes dirigent désormais la conservation d’une forêt, organisent des patrouilles, enseignent aux voyageurs et revendiquent la forêt en leur nom. Leur travail préserve les espèces, l’ascendance et la langue, prouvant que la défense de la forêt n’est pas un métier, mais une manière d’assurer l’avenir.
“Sinchi Warmi” means “strong woman” in Kichwa
Project run by 24 community members
Women create improved livelihoods through tourism entrepreneurship
Preserves culture and ancestral Amazonian cosmovision
Their knowledge guides conservation measures
Sponsorships directly fund their patrols, training, and community initiatives
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Depuis 2002, les femmes kichwa de Sinchi Warmi ont mené un mouvement pour préserver leur culture, soutenir leurs familles et protéger leur forêt. Grâce au tourisme durable, elles ont créé une stabilité économique tout en maintenant vivants les savoirs ancestraux.
Lorsqu'elles ont été témoins de la destruction de leur territoire par la déforestation, elles sont intervenues et ont partagé leurs préoccupations avec nous. Nous avons commencé à élaborer un plan ensemble. Aujourd'hui, ces femmes et ces hommes s'engagent comme gardiens de 350 000 m² de forêt amazonienne vulnérable, établissant avec nous une réserve naturelle appartenant aux peuples autochtones, assurant ainsi la protection de la forêt pour les générations à venir.
Grâce au projet Gardiens de la Forêt, Sinchi Warmi détient l'autorité sur les décisions concernant la terre, mène des expéditions de surveillance de la forêt et conçoit des programmes pour les visiteurs.
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Working with scientists, we complement the knowledge of the Sinchi Warmi. We introduce GPS mapping, camera traps, ecological indices: modern tools but always rooted in ancestral logic. Combining forest cycles, animal behaviors, and ancestral markers, we can detect threats early and develop effective conservation measurements.
Complemented by scientific expertise, local Sinchi Warmi Guardians determine which forest areas are most critical, guide ecological surveys, and teach visitors how to walk silently in the forest, observe, value. Their consent is the foundation of every protected hectare.
Indigenous Forest Patrol
The Sinchi Warmi are leaders of peaceful resistance. Through twice-weekly patrols, rotating among members, they send a clear message to extractive interests and hunters: this forest is protected and cared for by its people. These patrols ensure early detection of threats and demonstrate that the territory has dedicated defenders committed to life and conservation.
Regional Ripple Effect
Sinchi Warmi create opportunities for growth in the region. Activities like the Birdwatching Club for children, internships for young adults, and exchanges with neighbouring communities strengthen local leadership. By mentoring younger women and sharing ancestral knowledge, they secure livelihood for the next generation.
Shaping Travellers
The Sinchi Warmi extend their educational mission to all who visit. When international travelers arrive, they share stories, teach language, weaving, and handicrafts, and invite guests to see themselves as part of nature, not just visitors. Through these exchanges, they inspire respect for heritage and a deeper connection to the forest and its people.
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Guardians of Seeds & Future Generations
- Meliza, president of Sinchi Warmi
"Untouched nature means life, for plants, animals, and for us as human beings. The forest is an essential part of our community. We must understand and protect it. For us Kichwa, this is fundamental from childhood through old age. Our children grow up with a deep connection to nature, so that this knowledge can be preserved and passed on. Without a healthy environment, we cannot survive. What will we leave for our children? The Amazon is our future. The Sinchi Warmis are natural guardians of the forest, of its seeds and of future generations. We transmit traditional knowledge for the management of an inclusive and equitable forest.”
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