Rainforest Foundation US

#COP16 Recap: Major Milestones and Missed Opportunities The 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia delivered notable wins for Indigenous peoples and biodiversity. Yet, critical challenges remain. Milestones: ? Major breakthrough for Indigenous peoples: Indigenous peoples and local communities now have a permanent role in biodiversity decision-making—a first in UN environmental processes. This ensures that Indigenous voices will be heard at every stage of negotiations. ? Global Levy on Nature's Genetics: A new fund will require companies to share 1% profits from products developed using nature’s genetic data. Half of these funds will go to Indigenous communities that protect the nature that these companies rely on. Missed Opportunities: ?? Funding Gaps: Promises of $200bn a year by 2030 remain unfulfilled. Developing countries are still awaiting the critical resources needed to protect biodiversity. ?? No Clear Monitoring Plan: COP16 failed to agree on how progress toward the targets will be tracked. More work ahead to turn words into action! "Rainforest Foundation US attended COP16 this year along with a number of our Indigenous partners. The creation of a permanent subsidiary body for Indigenous peoples and local communities is a major win. But the negotiations made less progress overall than we had hoped, with urgent consequences for biodiversity” - Laura Piccoli, RFUS Program Manager. ?? : UN Biodiversity | Flickr

?? Protecting Rainforests in Mexico and Central America ?? We’re proud to share the results of our three-year B’atz project, a collaboration between Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) and the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB), funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Through this initiative, we worked to strengthen the fiscal, administrative, and governance structures of Indigenous and local community organizations across Mexico and Central America. Why is this important? Because stronger organizations mean more sustainable efforts to protect rainforest territories. Some key milestones from this project: ?? B’atz helped establish the Mesoamerican Territorial Fund, a mechanism for direct funding. The Fund has since invested $1.8 million in 32 initiatives, positively impacting over 40,000 people. ??In partnership with the Mesoamerican Leadership School, B’atz also helped train over 200 individuals in disaster risk management, with a strong emphasis on youth and women’s leadership around climate resilience. ??A key focus of the B’atz project has been strengthening the role of women in leadership positions, particularly in the context of climate resilience and land defense. Learn more about how this work is shaping a brighter future for rainforests and the communities who call them home. ?? ?? Dive into the full story on our blog: *link in comments* #RainforestProtection #IndigenousLeadership #BatzProject #RFUS #Mesoamerica

??This weekend, don’t miss the chance to hear from Yanomami shaman Davi Kopenawa. ?? The Falling Sky, a film adaptation of the book he co-authored, will have its U.S. debut on Sunday, November 17th, at 3:30 PM at Village East Cinema. ?? Following the screening, there will be a special conversation with Davi Kopenawa and co-director Eryk Rocha. This intimate and deeply personal film offers a rare insight into the lives of the Yanomami people and their decades-long struggle to defend their land and culture against the relentless encroachment of the nap?p?—outsiders. Written over a decade ago, the book’s message is more urgent than ever as threats to the Amazon rainforest continue to grow. ?? Invite your friends and join us for this critical conversation. ???? Visit our website to learn more and get your tickets! https://bit.ly/3CDXjjv

The Falling Sky—a film centered on the iconic shaman Davi Kopenawa and the Yanomami community of Watoriki in the Brazilian rainforest—has been selected to compete at DOC NYC, the largest documentary festival in the USA. What a joy! ? Invite your friends and come with us → Sunday, Nov 17th at 3:30pm at Village East Cinema. After the screening, there will be a special conversation with Yanomami Shaman Davi Kopenawa and co-director Eryk Rocha. ?? Tickets available on ?? https://lnkd.in/eMRHKQpd (If you're not in NYC, tickets for the online screening are available too!) "Based on the book co-authored by Davi Kopenawa and anthropologist Bruce Albert, the film invites us to participate in the sacred ritual of Reahu, and challenges all of us existing in a capitalist system (“the People of Merchandise”) who exploit nature for financial gain to rebel against the damage wrought by the industrial world on the Amazon rainforest." – Ruth Somalo #TheFallingSky #AquedaDoCéu #CinemaYanomami #IndigenousFilm #FilmFestival #DOCNYC2024 Aruac Filmes

Our commitment to Indigenous peoples and forest protection is more unshakable than ever. We are ready to navigate the complex path forward. We will continue collaborating with our Indigenous partners and global allies to protect vital ecosystems—systems that all life on Earth depends on. Every person, every country must do their part. This is a moment to harness our collective strength, doubling down on community action, international partnerships, and local advocacy. The movement for climate justice has always drawn its power from the people and from an unwavering commitment to justice and the future of our planet. Now, more than ever, we must hold on to collective action and the hope we find in nature and community.

?? Urgent Call from Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples ?? The survival of Indigenous Peoples, our planet, and humanity itself is at stake. The Brazilian Congress is advancing alarming proposals—PEC 48, PEC 36, and PL 4039—that aim to block Indigenous land demarcation and open protected territories to exploitation. Today, Indigenous Peoples from across Brazil have gathered in Brasília, echoing their maracás in a powerful stand against PEC 48. This proposed amendment threatens to cement the harmful “Marco Temporal” policy, undermining their ancestral rights. Indigenous leaders delivered a letter to the three branches of government, urgently demanding respect for their constitutional protections. “We, Indigenous peoples from all regions and biomes, have once again come to Brasília to denounce the continuous, systematic attacks on our rights and territories.” ?? Indigenous lands are vital for biodiversity, climate stability, and life itself. Yet these proposals threaten to strip away those protections, endangering not only Indigenous rights but the future of everyone. Stand with us. Join the call for #DemarcationNow—because together, we protect life and secure our shared future. ?? Say NO to PEC 48, PEC 36, and PL 4039. Support the struggle by donating at https://buff.ly/3Aibavi. Follow @apiboficial and help amplify this urgent cause. #IndigenousRights #ClimateJustice #MarcoAncestral #Demarca??oJá #Demarca??oéDemocracia

??We need you, and today is the deadline! Don’t miss the chance to support Rainforest Foundation US with your vote—it's free, quick, and critical for rainforest protection ?? Rainforests are under threat from fires, deforestation, and extractive industries. We’re protecting rainforests in partnership with Indigenous peoples who are on the frontlines. Now, we need your help to do even more. CREDO Mobile is donating a portion of their revenue to three organizations this month, and Rainforest Foundation US is one of them. The more votes we get today, the bigger our share of funding to protect these vital ecosystems. Your vote is powerful and FREE. It only takes 30 seconds, but today is the last chance to make it count! Vote now and help protect rainforests! [https://bit.ly/48sA5ZD]

We’re at COP16 in Cali, Colombia alongside Indigenous peoples as they demand their rights be respected and their voices heard while world leaders discuss achieving the 30x30 target—protecting 30% of the world’s lands and waters by 2030. ? Any successful plan to protect biodiversity must include securing the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities who directly rely on these lands. ? #COP16 is a critical moment for countries to turn biodiversity commitments into action. Read our latest blog to learn more about what’s at stake at COP16. (link in comments) IMAGES CREDIT: Global Alliance of Territorial Communities Tirza @ixmukanecolor Nura @nurabatara Kamikia @kamikiakisedje Tukuma @tukuma_pataxo #COP16 #Biodiversity #IndigenousRights #30x30 #ClimateAction

?? We're excited to share that the EGAP study—proving that Indigenous communities, equipped with satellite-based forest monitoring technologies, can reduce deforestation—is being recognized by the UN High-Level Climate Champions and featured in a report for #COP16. The study’s impressive results, including a 52% reduction in deforestation in the first year, inspired us to launch our Rainforest Alert program. This program applies a similar methodology to protect rainforests across the Amazon and Central America. ? Dive into the report and check out the case study, "Indigenous communities deploy technology to reduce illegal deforestation and strengthen land rights," alongside 27 other inspiring case studies. We're proud to be part of this group driving impactful climate action for our planet.

How much biodiversity do Indigenous Peoples conserve? While there’s been debate over the exact percentage, one thing is clear: Indigenous Peoples’ deep, ancestral connection to the land—shaped by generations of cultural, spiritual, and ecological knowledge—plays a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health. Their stewardship is invaluable and goes far beyond what any statistic can capture. Let's amplify Indigenous voices and support their stewardship efforts. Share your thoughts on how we can better recognize and honor their contributions to conservation! #IndigenousKnowledge #Biodiversity