John,

It’s a story of hope that’s inspired Indigenous communities around the world: in the midst of decades of war, the Karen people in Myanmar came together to establish a 1.6 million acre protected area where they could live in peace, while governing and protecting their ancestral lands and ecosystems.

Now, the Salween Peace Park is one of the richest biodiversity spots remaining in Asia. It’s a crucial wildlife corridor for 19 threatened species – including the Black Panther and Southern Pig-tailed Macaque. As the military junta continues to carry out airstrikes and profit-hungry corporate giants try to capitalize on the rich land, the local community is asking for help.

A group of Indigenous women is working hard to monitor the park’s fragile ecosystems, record its biodiversity, and mobilize their communities to protect what remains. Blending western science with ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, these women are on the front lines, but without prompt support, they won't be able to continue their vital work.

That’s where we come in. Will you urgently chip in to help save our natural world wherever it’s needed?

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Since local communities established the Salween Peace Park in 2018, they have successfully stopped illegal logging and wildlife hunting, while ensuring that the Indigenous culture will live on. And in the process they’ve saved critically endangered species by preserving a vital migration corridor.

This Indigenous-led model of conservation has inspired communities around the world. But sustaining it — especially under military rule and ongoing violence — requires urgent support.

Bolstered by donations from our movement, last year the community was able to formally register their land, strengthening legal protections and making it harder for corporations to push through destructive dam, logging, and mining projects. But the fight to protect the park is far from over.

The Women’s Research Group is working every day to protect the park with documented knowledge, science, and strengthened governance that can withstand future attacks. Their surveys have produced landmark books on orchids and mushrooms, and right now they are finalizing critical research on amphibians, fish, and traditional medicinal plants.

Will you chip in today to unite with the women defending Salween Peace Park and defend wild places everywhere?

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Your donation will help power Ekō and our campaigns worldwide fighting for people and the planet.