The Amazon Burning - Kids and Bugs to the Rescue!

Dear Amazon Champion,

For almost three years, we have been part of a program that connects research and field stations worldwide to work collaboratively. This initiative, promoted by the Organization for Biological Field Stations (OBFS), has involved us working with the Gault Nature Reserve (McGill University - Canada) and the Field Station (Hasselt University - Belgium).

A few weeks ago, representatives from both stations visited Finca Las Piedras, our research station in the Peruvian Amazon, to continue the projects we established back in 2022. One of these projects is the creation of a handbook to share our best practices in education and community engagement, and the second is a research project focused on mammal monitoring across stations.

Our time in the Peruvian Amazon was very productive, and we are almost ready to share the final version of our educational handbook at the next OBFS meeting in November 2024. We hope that our reflections and insights on the work conducted by our stations over the years will be a valuable resource for field stations across all continents. Being part of the OBFS community has opened many doors for collaboration with organizations that, like us, embrace research and education as tools for conservation.

As always, we thank you for your continuous support. Without you, we couldn't do what we do.

In solidarity,

Geoff, Johana, and all the ASA family

Dear supporter,

Just a few days ago, we brought together all the elementary, high school, and undergraduate students we have been working with for over a year at a venue to share a moment together reflecting on our achievements and having a good time. It has been a busy year for our environmental education efforts, and we wanted to celebrate with every person that made it possible.

Our undergraduate students presented their research posters, and the rural and urban schools received their diplomas.

This year's project has had many achievements. We are proud to say that overall, students and teachers have indicated that the project's activities have been delivered effectively and that they have enjoyed them! From our own assessment, we can report that it is clear that research skills have been improved across ages, and that there is a greater understanding on what science is and why it would be important for us to care about science.

Although these are initial steps, we are proud to keep improving and implementing environmental education in out region, and thank you for your support to make it happen!

In solidarity,

Johana and the ASA family