Help Magno preserve primary Amazon rainforest

Magno Soares was our family's guide on our Amazon rainforest tour. In the six days we spent with him, we were blown away by his knowledge, his passion as a tour guide, his commitment to preserving the Amazon, his caring for the local people, his work ethic and his integrity.

 

Magno taught us that when the locals are poverty-stricken, they have no choice but to slash and burn the forest on their land to clear for income-yielding crops. However, the primary forest, consists of specific hard and soft wood trees from which the decaying foliage feeds the soil, doesn't grow back after the burning because the eco system is forever changed. The secondary forest that grows after the clearing is mostly made up of palm and banana family plants, and they can't support the diverse life forms found in the primary forest. After several burnings, not even the secondary forest plants can grow because of the poor soil, only pasture remains. This is why  deforestation of the Amazon has such dire consequences and we need to fight to preserve every acre of the primary forest.

 

Magno wants better government policies to protect the Amazon, but he also believes tourism can help. His dream is to buy 80 acres of primary forest and preserve it for tourism only. He has done extensive research on the land. He knows firsthand how tourism provides nearby locals with income so they don't need to slash and burn their land for agriculture. The impact of his actions goes well beyond the 80 acres of land he would preserve.

 

Magno was very close to realizing his dream when the pandemic hit. For a year tourism completely dried up and it was tough to just get by, even for this jungle survival specialist. Even now, tourism hasn't returned to the pre-pandemic level. But he said with a smile: "I am not going to give up. I just need to keep trying." Just like the way he taught himself to speak 5 languages, including reading and writing of Chinese characters, his drive and determination make nothing impossible. 

 

Magno touched our hearts and we can help him realize his dream of protecting the rainforest and providing a better life for the locals. When we suggested a fundraiser, he said he would prefer donors to come and see Amazon's beauty for themselves. Therefore all documented donations above $100 can be applied to future tour bookings.  This is a man with all the knowledge, work ethic and a caring heart to make a difference.