In much of my thinking about where to direct my attention for my charity pitch,
I focused my interests towards a number of reputable organizations whose
work could impact a vast number of people. My initial efforts brought me to large,
structured charities that portrayed an image that seemed a little too grand to be
fully in touch with the value of their work. Finding a non-imposing, devoted
organization that has a global impact could have been very hard, but in my
chosen realm of environmental conservation and protection, every little effort
can be drastic. This is especially true for the charity that I have chosen, a
group that operates out of the Amazon rain forest and has demonstrated the
commitment and impact that had been my original intrigue.
I focused my interests towards a number of reputable organizations whose
work could impact a vast number of people. My initial efforts brought me to large,
structured charities that portrayed an image that seemed a little too grand to be
fully in touch with the value of their work. Finding a non-imposing, devoted
organization that has a global impact could have been very hard, but in my
chosen realm of environmental conservation and protection, every little effort
can be drastic. This is especially true for the charity that I have chosen, a
group that operates out of the Amazon rain forest and has demonstrated the
commitment and impact that had been my original intrigue.
The Amazon Conservation Association operates in the southwestern Amazon
River basin, touting as their biggest accomplishment the co-management of the
Los Amigos Conservation Concession, the largest and first private conservation
concession sitting at 360,000 acres. Another one of the groups largest
accomplishments is the establishment of five research centers, one of which,
the Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, opened in 2005, has since
recorded 625 species (all their stations have tallied 4,348 recorded species
in their history). Other goals of the organization are to lead developing
Amazonian native villages to sustainable lifestyles and preventing illegal gold
mining in the region.
River basin, touting as their biggest accomplishment the co-management of the
Los Amigos Conservation Concession, the largest and first private conservation
concession sitting at 360,000 acres. Another one of the groups largest
accomplishments is the establishment of five research centers, one of which,
the Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, opened in 2005, has since
recorded 625 species (all their stations have tallied 4,348 recorded species
in their history). Other goals of the organization are to lead developing
Amazonian native villages to sustainable lifestyles and preventing illegal gold
mining in the region.
The Amazon rain forest is the most biodiverse region on the planet and is
home to many different species of animals and plants and many different
indigenous tribes. In addition to the preservation of the rain forest being so
crucial to the human race (the rain forest produces 20% of the world’s oxygen),
the preservation of cordial relationships and good communication with natives
is equally as important. Many of the plants of the Amazon with medicinal
properties (an estimated 90%) are yet to be investigated by modern medicine,
but are well-understood and frequently used by remaining indigenous
populations. Ergo, the support of this organization means the support of modern
medicine, environmental and community health, a better livelihood, and, most
importantly, a guaranteed healthy future for the planet. Even though it is
operating in such a specific region, this charity can have the impact to change
lives around the world.
home to many different species of animals and plants and many different
indigenous tribes. In addition to the preservation of the rain forest being so
crucial to the human race (the rain forest produces 20% of the world’s oxygen),
the preservation of cordial relationships and good communication with natives
is equally as important. Many of the plants of the Amazon with medicinal
properties (an estimated 90%) are yet to be investigated by modern medicine,
but are well-understood and frequently used by remaining indigenous
populations. Ergo, the support of this organization means the support of modern
medicine, environmental and community health, a better livelihood, and, most
importantly, a guaranteed healthy future for the planet. Even though it is
operating in such a specific region, this charity can have the impact to change
lives around the world.
Environmental health and wellness is compelling to me because I believe that
it is one of the few areas where there is a vital need for action in order to
prevent an onset of new problems associated with environmental damage.
This is of great importance to me and should be equally important to all other
people who value their own health and the health of future generations.
it is one of the few areas where there is a vital need for action in order to
prevent an onset of new problems associated with environmental damage.
This is of great importance to me and should be equally important to all other
people who value their own health and the health of future generations.
I really like your pitch and find it incredibly compelling. My only question is why focus on the decline of the Amazon, which produces 20% of the oxygen around the world instead of the alarming decline in the population of plankton and other photosynthetic organisms in the oceans when they produce a significantly larger proportion of the planet's oxygen? I have always operated under the assumption, that while the Amazon is certainly important, the oceans are increasingly more so and the situation is more dire because it does not have the broad-based appeal and base of support that the Amazon has.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your "so what" factor clearly demonstrated in your pitch. In showing exactly why you care for this cause and why others should care you provide a very compelling argument. However, you state that many of the plants have medicinal properties which are not fully understood by science. Therefore, I ask why focus on the broad concern of conservation rather than bringing experts to the scene to better understand how this ecosystem can help globally, providing a more widespread support.
ReplyDeleteT.J.,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your pitch and listening to it in class today, you were definitely able to convince me of the importance of the Amazon rainforest and the effectiveness of the Amazon Conservation Association of conserving the rainforest. I knew that the Amazon rainforest had a lot of biodiversity, but I never realized how important the rainforest was to medicine and as a CO2 sink. It was especially striking how much of a worldwide impact this organization has even though it is only localized in the Amazon.
Something I was discussing with my group in class today was how much of an effect a relatively small donation would have on such a large organization. To me, a hundred dollar donation seems negligible compared to the millions of dollars the organization receives each year in grant money and large donations. However, ultimately I realized that every dollar counts, even to larger organizations. According to their website, even $50 could help plant trees and fund environmental education programs for Peruvian schoolchildren. (http://www.amazonconservation.org/getinvolved/index.html) Because of this and your convincing arguments, I agree with you that donating to the Amazon Conservation Association can make a real difference.
First off, I have to say that I thought you did an excellent job presenting the facts. I very much enjoy hearing the facts and yours were extremely interesting. For example, I knew the Amazon was big, but I had no idea it produced over 20% of the world's oxygen! Also, the idea that there are species we don't even know about living in the Amazon is something I find truly fascinating. The environment truly is a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I was left with a few questions on the fundamentals of how the charity works. Are their employees and volunteers outsourced? Or are they natives who would be more dedicated to protecting their home? Also, I wonder if they do volunteer trips. I feel like bringing people to see all the beauty that nature has to offer would give them a reason to donate and help the charity.
Great work!