John,

There’s a really weird and simple way to save huge swaths of the Amazon rainforest. Maps.

Maps are what the over 2 million Indigenous forest stewards of the Amazon need to file land claims, protect trees and rivers, and save the ancient medicines that grow only in these untouched forests.

That’s because Brazilian laws offer protection to Indigenous lands, but only if the people can PROVE what land is theirs.

There’s a groundbreaking team racing to survey the most remote corners of the forest and mark out ancestral lands to file claims…but the Amazon is huge, so this is a colossal job, well beyond their means.

If enough of us chip in, we can help them scale up fast, buying the drones and GPS equipment they need to map big chunks of forest – then fight for its protection. Can you power this Amazon-saving work?

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Vast swathes of the Amazon are unmapped, leaving Indigenous groups vulnerable to outside interests.

But if they can clearly demarcate and document their historic lands, these communities will have a powerful tool to stop illegal land takeovers – and raise the alarm on exploitative practices.

And, as extreme weather conditions become increasingly common, maps can help rural communities locate if they’re in a high-risk area and plan accordingly, mapping evacuation routes and health centres, and alerting authorities for support.

This kind of mapping has already helped win big victories for Indigenous groups globally – like compensation for the Batwa people in Uganda. It can be a turning point for the Amazon too, but it won’t happen without support from people like you.

Our partners need cash to pay for drones, GPS devices and training sessions so that they can help locals build tailored maps of their areas, putting power back in the hands of communities dependent on the Amazon for survival.

Every $1 donated can help map about one square kilometre of forest – so bigger donations go a long way. Can you chip in to supercharge this Amazon-saving work?

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We’ve done this before, like when we helped Brazil's Tupinamba community map and protect their lands from corporate greed. Now, let’s expand this important work!