6 Organizations Fighting To Protect Rainforests

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 1 May 2020

Rainforests are home to a diverse range of plants and animals, from centuries-old trees to colorful birds and frogs. Sometimes known as "the Earth's lungs," these forests provide the planet with oxygen that humans need to survive. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are being threatened by human development. Pollution, logging, and deforestation to make way for livestock are causing the world's rainforests to shrink. That's why organizations like the ones listed here work to preserve and protect these important environments. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Groups Working To Preserve Rainforests

Name Mission
Kids Saving the Rainforest Protect the diverse wildlife of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast by rehabilitating wildlife, conducting original scientific research, training volunteers, and promoting conservation and reforestation
Rainforest Concern Protect threatened natural habitats and the biodiversity they contain, together with the indigenous people who depend on them for survival
Amazon Aid Foundation Harness the power of multimedia and film to educate about the importance of the Amazon and the implications of its destruction while promoting working solutions to protect it
Canopy Work with the forest industry’s biggest customers and their suppliers to develop business solutions that protect these endangered forests
Melbourne Rainforest Action Group Secure the Earth's ecological future and support Indigenous people everywhere
Health In Harmony Reverse tropical rainforest deforestation for planetary health

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What Are Rainforests?

The Rise Of Global Temperature

According to data from NASA

Year Annual Average Anomaly
2010 0.73°C
2011 0.61°C
2012 0.65°C
2013 0.69°C
2014 0.75°C
2015 0.90°C
2016 1.02°C
2017 0.93°C
2018 0.85°C

The Basics Of Conservation & Restoration Ecology

In Depth

Earth's rainforests are home to a stunning array of biodiversity, and play a major role in absorbing carbon dioxide to stave off climate change. But these crucial bioregions face a multitude of dangers, including destructive mining, illegal timber extraction, and deforestation from agriculture. Presented here, in no particular order, are six groups working to defend and restore forest ecosystems around the world.

Leading us off at #1 is Kids Saving the Rainforest, dedicated to conserving the natural systems of Costa Rica. This organization engages with individuals, schools, and nonprofit groups from the United States and elsewhere, providing education on rainforest ecology. KSTR invites visitors to take learning tours of its Wildlife Sanctuary, and hosts Kids Camps to teach young people about the environment.

Along with its educational offerings, KSTR shelters and rehabilitates sick or injured animals at the Wildlife Rescue Center, releasing them back to the wild whenever possible. Other programs include creating rope bridges to let climbing animals cross roads without risking electrocution, tree planting to combat deforestation, and ecological research. Supporters have numerous options to help KSTR, such as donations, sponsorships, and volunteer efforts.

Along with its educational offerings, KSTR shelters and rehabilitates sick or injured animals at the Wildlife Rescue Center, releasing them back to the wild whenever possible.

Next up at #2 is Rainforest Concern, which strives to protect biodiversity in woodland and marine ecosystems around the world. The organization works directly with inhabitants of threatened areas; it engages locals in conservation efforts, helps indigenous groups to defend territorial rights, and aids impoverished communities in developing sustainable income streams. The group's regional partners also assist with ecological research on wildlife in sanctuary zones.

Rainforest Concern has helped establish protected wilderness reserves across the globe, including cloud forests in Ecuador, mountain woodlands in Romania, and a botanical sanctuary in India; the group focuses on creating ecological corridors to broaden habitat ranges for threatened species. Other projects involve direct conservation efforts like reforestation or protecting sea turtles from poachers. Those wishing to contribute can donate to Rainforest Concern in a variety of ways.

Entry #3 is Amazon Aid Foundation, a nonprofit working to conserve the Earth's largest tropical rainforest ecosystem, by educating and inspiring people around the world. The group's documentary film River of Gold highlights the threat of chemical deforestation from illicit mining operations in the region, while the Artists for the Amazon project recruits creators to celebrate the natural beauty of the jungle and its creatures.

The group's documentary film River of Gold highlights the threat of chemical deforestation from illicit mining operations in the region, while the Artists for the Amazon project recruits creators to celebrate the natural beauty of the jungle and its creatures.

The organization's many educational initiatives include resources on sustainable consumption, like the Clean Gold Buyer's Guide to avoiding jewelry sourced from destructive operations, as well as artistic efforts like the Anthem for the Amazon music video. The Foundation also shares articles about the region's biodiversity and the many threats it faces. Interested individuals can show their support by donating or hosting a film screening.

#4 on our list is Canopy, which develops business solutions to protect endangered forests. This organization partners with industries that have traditionally made extensive use of timber resources, helping them to develop sustainable supply chain policies. Canopy promotes ecologically friendly options to replace harvesting from threatened woodlands, such as paper production from straw pulp and recycled materials, or alternative fibers for manufacturing clothing.

In addition to helping cut timber out of supply chains, Canopy shares a range of informational tools for consumers, such as the Ancient Forest Friendly certification for paper goods. The group's ForestMapper provides a visual guide to ancient and endangered woodland regions, while the Hot Button Report provides environmental rankings for the fashion industry. Interested individuals can donate to support Canopy's mission.

Interested individuals can donate to support Canopy's mission.

Coming in at #5 is the Melbourne Rainforest Action Group, a grassroots initiative affiliated with the Rainforest Information Centre, working to protect the species-rich forest ecosystems of Ecuador. MRAG raises funds to support indigenous groups whose lands are threatened by destructive mining practices, and also engages in direct action, pressuring Australian mineral companies to cease operating in protected wilderness.

MRAG provides informational resources such as maps showing the extent of mining concessions in Ecuador, highlighting areas of overlap with protected wilderness and indigenous territories. The group also publishes articles calling attention to the negative impacts of the industry, including labor exploitation, environmental devastation, and violence from organized crime involvement. Supporters can assist the group's efforts with online donations or petition signatures.

Concluding our list at #6 is Health In Harmony, a nonprofit committed to fighting climate change by preserving the planet's rainforests. The group works to empower communities living in endangered regions, enabling sustainable farming as an alternative to logging or slash-and-burn agriculture. Health In Harmony's Radical Listening approach focuses on soliciting input from local inhabitants, in order to create collaborative solutions to deforestation.

Health In Harmony's Radical Listening approach focuses on soliciting input from local inhabitants, in order to create collaborative solutions to deforestation.

Health In Harmony combats the poverty that drives habitat loss, with efforts like the Chainsaw Buyback program, which helps inhabitants start small businesses to replace income from illegal logging in the Borneo rainforest. Other initiatives include educational opportunities to promote ecological literacy in young people, and direct conservation work such as reforestation. Anyone looking to aid the organization's programs can donate or inquire about a service learning tour.