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2023’s Best Environmental Charities: RFUS Recognized for Supporting Indigenous-Led Climate Change Solutions 

As 2023 draws to a close, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) proudly reflects on a year filled with significant accomplishments. We’ve supported Indigenous-led programs to monitor 13.7 million acres of rainforests and have partnered with over 200 Indigenous and local communities. In Guyana, we helped to protect 4.5 million acres of traditional lands through conservation plans developed with Indigenous partners, and made significant progress in Peru by helping secure 17 new land titles, with an additional 20 in progress, totaling over 105,000 acres for 37 communities. Additionally, in Guyana, we trained 10 new community paralegals, and in Peru, we facilitated two Tech Camps, introducing four new technologies. All these efforts are part of our broader commitment to work with Indigenous partners to advance land titles for over 8.5 million acres of Indigenous lands across Panama, Guyana, and Peru.

This year, our commitment to protecting rainforests and supporting Indigenous communities has been recognized by Marie Claire, Impactful Ninja, and Donor Box, highlighting our strategic and effective approach to environmental stewardship. It’s also why we consistently receive a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, and Gold Transparency with Candid.

  • Marie Claire acknowledges our work as innovative in Brazil, Panama, Peru, and Guyana, and spotlights our groundbreaking Rainforest Alert program. This pioneering initiative, harnessing remote sensory technology for community-led monitoring, has dramatically curbed illegal deforestation, showcasing our innovative solutions in action.
  • Impactful Ninja commends RFUS for its deep partnerships with Indigenous communities. They emphasize our integrated approach to supporting Indigenous-led solutions to the climate crisis, including assistance in developing land management plans and securing legal representation for Indigenous communities to protect their land rights.
  • Donor Box highlights our unique approach of collaborating with Indigenous communities to protect rainforests, which is a key strategy in combating climate change and protecting biodiversity. These recognitions underscore RFUS’ position at the forefront of tropical forest conservation.

Every year, we’re committed to earning and keeping the trust of our donors, ensuring most funds directly enhance our programs alongside our Indigenous partners. 

We recognize the vital role of rainforest communities who face significant risks in their efforts to safeguard their forests. Supporting them is not just our mission; it’s our honor.

Here are just some of the lists we’ve been featured on in recent years:

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News Releases

Justice Prevails: Peru Court Sentences Murderers of Indigenous Land Defenders to 28 Years

After ten long years, justice was served on Thursday, April 11, for the victims of the emblematic Saweto case in the Ucayali region of Peru. The Court sentenced the five accused to 28 years and three months of imprisonment for the crimes against Ashéninka community leaders from Alto Tamaya – Saweto: Edwin Chota Valera, Jorge Ríos Pérez, Francisco Pinedo Ramírez, and Leoncio Quintisima Meléndez, who were brutally murdered on September 1, 2014.
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Carbon Markets and Our Rights: A Guide for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

The voluntary carbon market is quickly evolving and being introduced in new territories, making it challenging to sort out who’s who and what the implications are for impacted communities. To support Indigenous communities and local communities to better understand carbon markets, Rainforest Foundation US has launched the first three videos of a six-part animated series to demystify the market and provide communities with the essential information to protect their rights.

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Rainforests absorb and store more carbon dioxide than all other types of forests, making rainforest protection one of the most effective solutions to climate change. Support indigenous peoples on the frontlines of rainforest protection.

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Didier Devers
Chief of Party – USAID Guatemala
gro.y1714708359nffr@1714708359sreve1714708359dd1714708359

Didier has been coordinating the USAID-funded B’atz project since joining Rainforest Foundation US in April 2022. He holds a Master’s in Applied Anthropology and a Bachelor’s in Geography. Before joining the organization, Didier worked for 12 years in Central and South America on issues of transparency, legality, governance, and managing stakeholders’ processes in the environmental sector. Prior to that he worked on similar issues in Central Africa. He speaks French, Spanish, and English, and is based in Guatemala.