Our Impact

All of our work in partnership with Indigenous peoples is driven by our vision of a world where the rights of Indigenous peoples are respected and rainforests flourish.

Since our founding, we’ve supported securing over 42.7 million acres of Indigenous peoples’ land through titling and demarcation — an area comparable to the entire state of Florida.

Though impact can be measured in many ways, here are some highlights of the impact we made in protecting rainforests in 2023:

10.9 Million

Acres of land rights advanced through mapping of community boundaries and development of land management plans

19.5 Million

Acres of rainforests monitored through Indigenous-led monitoring programs

228

Indigenous and local communities directly supported throughout Central and South America

$9+ Million

of direct financing to Indigenous-led organizations and communities

Forests protected by Indigenous peoples play a vital role in capturing carbon, as much as or more than national parks. Protecting the rights of those safeguarding these forests is crucial to slowing climate change.

Forests protected by Indigenous peoples play a vital role in capturing carbon, as much as or more than national parks. Protecting the rights of those safeguarding these forests is crucial to slowing climate change.

“Rainforest Foundation US was there at the beginning, when the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) began to build its governance. They continue alongside us as a key player and our fiscal sponsor.”

Juan Carlos Jintiach

A leader from the Shuar people in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Executive Secretary of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), and shortlisted for a 2023 Nobel Peace Prize

Stories

Indigenous Women Forge Strategic Alliances to Defend Their Territories and Lives

Stories

A Rainforest Without Rain: Communities in the Amazon Grapple with the Impacts of Extreme Drought and Fires 

Multimedia

Carbon Markets and Our Rights: A Guide for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

RFUS in the Press

Record number of Indigenous land titles granted in Peru via innovative process (commentary)

Stories From the Ground

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Mobilize Millions for Rainforests

October 10 is DAF Day! If you have a Donor Advised Fund, please support rainforest protection.

Climate change can’t wait, and rainforests—which are critical to mitigating climate change—are facing growing threats from fires and deforestation.

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