True poverty takes a devastating toll on people and ecosystems. Without viable economic alternatives in place–and without a plan for sustainable resource development–forests vanish to rampant exploitation. In Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru, Nature and Culture International is promoting training programs to help make effective use of environmental goods and services. Renewable forest products, ecotourism ventures, carbon sequestration programs, and the training of conservation professionals are just some examples of the many possibilities that this program is setting in motion.

Our multifaceted development approach seeks to foster leaders in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural wealth in order to guarantee the quality of life for all forest inhabitants–now and for the generations to come.