Our Beginnings:

Some organizations purchase tracts of land in the rainforest and attempt to make that land unavailable for consumptive use (although protecting that land and enforcing the law becomes a different problem - one that even governments can't manage). Unfortunately, the land area purchased or managed by all of these organizations - even combined - is holistically insignificant. The Brazilian government formally protects less than 12% of the part of the Amazon rainforest that exists within its borders, and less than 4% of tropical rainforests are protected worldwide. And, we use the word protect lightly. We've seen the "protection" measures first hand: gunshot signs hanging loosely from rotted wooden poles on the riverbanks. They serve as a poignant example of the ineffectiveness of these measures.

There are other organizations attempt to convince the people that inhabit these regions that there are better ways of extracting sustainable value from their lands. The fact is, the people that are reachable on this level, or that would be receptive to alternate means of earning a living through sustainable resources, are not the ones clear-cutting land plots that total in the square miles. These efforts are all noble, and certainly do contribute, in one way or another, to protecting our rainforests. But unfortunately, these methods are not enough. They are reactive rather than proactive, and are not pervasive enough to make a real impact if used alone.

We approach the problem from a different angle. Today's global economy is completely consumer driven -- people sell what the people want, period. If you reduce the demand your reduce the supply requirements. Do people know that buying Brazilian Cherry floors or Teak furniture, for example, is ecologically irresponsible? Most don't! That's where we come in. Conservation Now focuses on educating people on the implications of their consumer decisions.

We start off in schools, by hosting Rainforest Conservation essay competitions (kids are some of the best promoters and educators in the world!), and go all the way up to advertising campaigns focusing on the responsible, non-hostile prevention of the sale of goods known to have originated from unsustainable rainforest resources. Beyond that, we promote organizations that are ecologically responsible. Corporations that "go the extra mile" to ensure that their goods are produced through ecologically sound means, and those that play an active role in the preservation of rainforest animals, plants, and lands, deserve our support.

Another method that we use is online campaigns designed to promote consumer awareness. These campaigns specifically target the education of individuals looking to source products known to be derived from resources that are destructive to Rainforests.

That's where you come in -- you can help, and the time to act is now!

>>Learn More

If you've already heard enough and you would like to support our cause, please consider donating to us or one of the many other Rainforest conservation organizations out there. Conservation Now invests primarily in education and awareness. This approach is uniquely effective because it focuses on eliminating the root cause of the destruction - demand for rainforest resources. But that's not the only means of abating the destruction; we urge you to donate what you can, to whatever organization you're most comfortable with. The important thing is that you take action. You can make a real difference, and we look forward to your support. If you would like to make a donation to Conservation Now, please click >>here.

Alternatively, we've got a small "store" through which we sell framed images of rainforest animals and plant species - all taken in South American Rainforests by members of the Conservation Now team. You can view them >>here. Either way, we'd love to have your support!