Your Forest Guardians

A Community Defending the Amazon Through Indigenous Knowledge

What if we protected the forest by supporting those who live in it?

More than 85% of the world’s biodiversity exists in indigenous territories, yet most conservation efforts overlook these communities. As a result, powerful threats like gold mining and deforestation continue unchecked, while the true guardians lack the resources and support to help us all protect vital biodiversity based on knowledge developed and passed down over hundreds of years.

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.

Meet Your Forest Guardians: Sinchi Warmi

Since 2002, the Kichwa women of Sinchi Warmi — which means Strong Women — have led a movement to preserve their culture, support their families, and protect their forest. Through sustainable tourism, they’ve created economic stability while keeping ancestral knowledge alive.

Today, these women and men are stepping up as guardians of 350.000m² of vulnerable Amazon rainforest, preventing gold mining and deforestation by establishing an indigenous-owned nature reserve — ensuring the forest’s protection for generations to come.

Guided by Strong, Courageous Leaders

The untouched forest means life

— for plants, animals, and for us as humans.

Without a healthy environment, we cannot survive.

What will we leave for our children? The Amazon is our future.”

Meliza, leader at the Kichwa Community Sinchi Warmi

"We need allies in this world - with open hearts"

Rooted in our Kichwa identity, we often dream of our own community forest, as act of resistance. But we can not do this alone. We need allies in this world!

Betty, member of Sinchi Warmi

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Community Based Tourism: Betty from Sinchi Warmi speaking

A message from the Amazon Jungle for the world to hear

'To those who live far from here: this forest breathes for you too. It is one of the lungs of the world. Each tree we protect here helps you live in balance with nature there. Our future is connected: what we save here also protects you. We are united by the life of the planet.' - Sinchi Warmi

What if we protected the forest by supporting those who live in it?

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.

Meet Your Forest Guardians: Sinchi Warmi

Jaime Alvarado

Leader of the Indigenous Guard

Betty Chimbo

Tree nursery and reforestation coordinator

Nely Chimbo

Bioentrepreunership coordinator

Meliza Andy

Leader and Administrator

Nathalie Grefa

Forest Treasurer