Andes-Amazon Initiative

Andes-Amazon Initiative is a grant program from Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation that funds long-term conservation of the Amazon basin, one of Earth's most biodiverse and climate-critical regions. Since 2001, the foundation has helped conserve over 400 million hectares in the Amazon.

The initiative targets effective management and conservation of 70% of the Amazon biome and its freshwater ecosystems by 2031 through support for indigenous land protection, protected areas, land-use policy, and partnerships across eight countries. The Andes-Amazon region is home to over 30 million people, an estimated 10% of Earth's species, and 20% of its fresh water. Grantmaking is primarily by invitation.

Award amounts vary and include multi-year commitments.

Initiative Strategy Detail Foundation president, Harvey Fineberg, and chairman emeritus and co-founder, Gordon Moore, discuss the Statement of Founders’ Intent with staff.

Environmental Conservation Conservation and Markets Initiative Wildfire Resilience Initiative Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative Green Chemistry Initiative Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative Ensuring long-term conservation of the Amazon Image courtesy of Walter Wust Ensuring long-term conservation of the Amazon Amazonia; courtesy of Walter H.

Wust Since 2001, we’ve helped conserve over 400 million hectares in the Amazon — an area more than 10 times the size of California. And we’re not yet done. Spanning eight countries and one territory, the Amazon — Earth’s largest remaining rainforest — stretches from the eastern slopes of the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean.

With a relatively low human population density, it provides one-fifth of the world’s fresh water and is home to the planet’s most diverse collection of birds, mammals, freshwater fish and plants. Its forests help mitigate global climate change. Over the past decade, sustainable management of indigenous lands and protected areas, as well as land-use policies, have dramatically slowed the rate of deforestation.

But significant threats remain. Nearly 20% of Amazonian forest cover has already been lost to logging, hydrocarbon and infrastructure development, cattle ranching, soy farming and mining. Local and national governments, Indigenous communities, NGOs and the private sector are working independently and in partnership to conserve the forests of the Amazon.

Securing the biodiversity and climate function of the Amazon basin, which is currently estimated to require that 70% of the original forest cover remains standing. By 2031, 70% of the Amazon biome (forest cover) and the freshwater ecosystems that sustain it will be under effective management and conservation.

The Andes Amazon region is home to more than 30 million people, an estimated 10% of the Earth’s species and 20% of its fresh water. If you know someone who is interested in this field or what we are doing at the foundation, pass it along.

International Conservation Funding in the Amazon: Updated Analysis Pan-Amazon Pressures and Threats_2018 Program Director, Andes-Amazon Initiative Program Officer, Andes-Amazon Initiative Program Officer, Andes-Amazon Initiative Operations Associate, Andes-Amazon Initiative Program Officer, Andes-Amazon Initiative