A proven, grassroots approach to preventing deforestation on Indigenous peoples’ lands: 52% reduction in forest loss in the first year alone.
Here’s what a peer-reviewed study had to say about how the Rainforest Alert methodology can decrease deforestation on Indigenous peoples’ lands:
In the first year of the study alone, threatened Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon saw a 52% reduction in forest loss.
Indigenous peoples who have access to satellite images and smartphones can reduce unauthorized deforestation in their territories.
Indigenous communities became more effective and efficient at detecting and addressing deforestation as it is happening.
Expanding Rainforest Alert across the Amazon could reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated from deforestation—and cost-effectively, at only $2 per acre per year.
Indigenous forest patrollers are equipped with the information they need to better survey their lands against illegal activities, often in real time.
Forest loss is picked up by satellite and recorded in Global Forest Watch, a free web app.
Technicians in a regional data hub receive the deforestation alert and save the data to a memory card.
Couriers transport the memory card by boat to the affected, off-grid Indigenous community.
Forest patrollers travel to the site associated with the alert to investigate and document deforestation activity.
Forest patrollers present evidence to community assemblies, who decide on an appropriate course of action.
Click on the map to download PDFs of RFUS’s current monitoring initiatives in the geographies where we work.
Take Action NOW on the climate crisis, rainforest protection, and Indigenous peoples’ rights
Are you interested in other ways to support us?

Learn more here.
Get news, updates, and stories from the rainforest—straight to your inbox.
Land Acknowledgement
Rainforest Foundation US recognizes and honors the original peoples of the land on which our headquarters is based in Brooklyn, New York: The Ramapough Munsee Lenape, who have cared for these lands and waters for generations. We ask the Ramapough Munsee Lenape people’s permission to be here as their guests and ask their blessing for the good continuation of our work.
Get updates on our recent work and victories, hear stories from our Indigenous partners, and learn how you can get involved—straight to your inbox.
