We strive to raise awareness of a local-global crisis.
We strive to raise awareness of a local-global crisis and support on-the-ground river defenders in the Bolivian Amazon in their quest to protect cultural and biological diversity and integrity. Bolivia’s national parks and indigenous peoples/territories are under threat due to proposed extractive development projects such as oil and gas exploration, hydroelectric dams, gold mining, and agricultural monoculture expansion. These projects represent a direct attack on some of the most biologically and culturally diverse places on Earth.
Devastating fires have been consuming the land of the pampas (important biodiversity hotspots in the Bolivian Amazon) since the beginning of September, 2023, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and sparking the need for immediate response.
The pampas are home to many endemic Amazon species, including the Pink River Dolphin, jaguars, and the Beni and Olalla titi monkeys, and the blue-throated macaw.
The local and national government has not taken action to fight these fires, leaving local volunteers to fight them for themselves, along with some volunteer park guards and soldiers. But they have very few resources, and this region is not accustomed to fires that are becoming commonplace with climate change.
Please help raise money for hoses, fuel, canned food, and water, before these flames further endanger communities and fragile ecosystems. Thank you for your solidarity and support in helping to preserve this invaluable region.
All money will be sent to the Luz de Mar restaurant which is coordinating volunteer firefighting efforts.
NEW DOCUMENTARY RELEASE!
“Spirit of the River” is a short documentary made by Dominick Cura, Daniel Dowling and Erin Pedersen.
In 2022, the three traveled to the picturesque town of Rurrenabaque in Bolivia. Situated on the Beni River, a tributary of the Amazon River, Rurrenabaque is the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest and the Pampas wetlands. Many locals and tourists call it paradise here and it is not hard to see why.
While visiting there, the trio learned about the impending El Bala/Chepete dual dam project. As they talked with people in town, they heard more about how devastating this project would be in many aspects. Not only would it displace the indigenous communities of Mosetén, Tsiman, Esse Ejja, Leco, Tacana and Uchupiamona, but it would irrevocably destroy one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, and with it a rich, deep culture of the local people that have lived there for hundreds of years. As they filmed their documentary, the trio learned how vocal and passionate many of the locals are to protect their home, community and neighbors.
In making this documentary, Daniel brings an Environmental social science and education background while Dominick and Erin are both experienced filmmakers with a passion for telling stories of different cultures around the world.
Watch the documentary now to learn more about the local river defenders in Bolivia standing up against a massive dam project and it’s multiple social, cultural and environmental threats. It is a story that is relevant not only in Bolivia, or Latin America, but all over the world. There are communities across the globe fighting a similar struggle to protect their homes and it’s important to recognize and remember this so we can support our neighbors.
March 14th, 2023 | International Day of Action for Rivers WEBINAR
Check out our recorded webinar and ARA Bolivia fundraiser, featuring river defenders from threatened basins around the world as they share their experiences, lessons, and hopes for the future. Speakers include Ruth Alipaz Cuqui (Beni River, Bolivia), Erick Kassongo (Congo River, DRC), Fredy Queupil Naupo (Biobío River, Chile), and Ashia Wilson (Klamath River, Oregon/California).
WEBINAR PASSWORD: 1*9&4w+q
The Beni River (Bolivia) in October, 2022. Photo by Zanotti.
2022 Year in Review
Check out what we’ve been up to this past year
Find out about us, our mission, and details about the issue.
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself.
“Still River, Silent Jungle” — a 10 minute short film
In 2017, the Bolivian government proposed the Chepete and Bala Mega Hydroelectric Dams on the Río Beni, a headwater of the Amazon River. The communities along the Beni River and its tributaries, the Tuichi and the Quiquibey, suddenly find themselves obligated to defend both their ancestral claims and their constitutional rights against the multi-billion dollar project.
Desperate to prevent the construction of the dams, Ruth Alipaz-Cuqui is elected by members of various communities to speak before the United Nations to voice her people’s concerns. Ruth grew up on the banks of the Tuichi River in the village San Jose de Uchupiamonas. Her tumultuous story parallels that of the river. Leaving home at the age of twelve to work and study, Ruth dreamed of one day returning to her village. However, she knew that an education would be vital to help her community survive, and soon became the first woman in her village to go to high school and then university.
Returning to her land for guidance, Ruth and her people explore an alternative future for their rivers. In 2018, a team of international kayakers offers Ruth the chance to see her Tuichi River from top to bottom for the first time. The trip sparks a wild solution: inspiring community members and National Park rangers to develop kayaking and rafting skills in order to create a conservation-based industry of whitewater eco-tourism.
Moments on the river, at protests, and in sit-down interviews capture the poetic urgency of the situation as the group witnesses what will be lost. Ruth is more determined than ever to defend the river whose challenging path and uncertain future mirror her own reality.
