ANCON Panama
DONATE TO ANCON Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner: ANCON (National Association for the Conservation of Nature) Location: Panama Category: Community Support & Development Land Purchases Protected Area Management Urgent Appeals: None currently Date Founded: 1985 Website: ancon.org Partner Qualifications: IUCN MemberA distinguished Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. IUCN Members are each vetted and voted on based on an independent, rigorous assessment and external references. Learn More Legally ConstitutedThis organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin. Effective ImpactWe recognize this Partner for their tremendous efforts to make a difference for wildlife and local communities, as well as welcome technical support from Conservation Allies to improve and scale up their impact. About ANCON ANCON is a nonprofit organization with over 39 years of experience dedicated to preserving Panama’s protected areas and biodiversity. Since its founding, ANCON has worked tirelessly to safeguard the country’s most valuable ecosystems, promoting sustainable practices and fostering a deeper connection between nature and society. ANCON focuses on strengthening protected area management and establishing sustainable terrestrial and marine corridors through reforestation, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, sustainable tourism, and strategic land acquisitions. For example, ANCON owns and manages Punta Patiño, the largest private nature reserve in Panama, which plays a crucial role in protecting Darien National Park and enhancing ecological connectivity between North and South America. Additionally, their urban sustainability program includes recycling initiatives, waste reduction campaigns, and efforts to encourage responsible disposal practices aimed at keeping urban rivers and beaches clean. ANCON’s projects also incorporate environmental education and policy advocacy to support informed decision-making, ensuring long-term environmental protection, community empowerment, and climate change resilience. With its holistic approach, ANCON remains a key player in protecting Panama’s wildlife and ecosystems, which, due to the country’s unique geographic position, contribute to the health and wellbeing of the entire planet. Their Challenges Panama faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, water scarcity, pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization, threatens biodiversity in areas like the Panama Canal watershed. Changing rainfall patterns and forest loss put the Canal’s water supply at risk, making conservation a priority. Pollution, especially plastic waste, harms marine life and stresses ecosystems, while the lack of a comprehensive recycling system worsens the issue. Coastal erosion and rising sea levels threaten both ecosystems and communities that depend on natural resources. Panama’s strategic position as a migration corridor makes its ecosystems vital for global biodiversity. ANCON works with local communities to promote sustainable practices and resilience to climate impacts, addressing these challenges through collaboration with government, civil society, and international partners. Their Approach ANCON addresses environmental challenges through a holistic approach that combines research, conservation, community engagement, and policy advocacy. They focus on conserving Panama’s protected areas and restoring terrestrial and marine corridors through reforestation, habitat restoration, and the management of key reserves. Their urban cleanups engage thousands of volunteers to reduce pollution’s impact on marine wildlife. A core element of their work involves helping local communities transition from unsustainable agricultural and fishing practices to sustainable, climate-resilient models. By providing training and resources, ANCON supports these communities in adopting eco-friendly agriculture and tourism to protect biodiversity and promote economic sustainability. They also emphasize environmental education, collaborating with schools and local organizations to foster a culture of conservation among younger generations. In addition, ANCON advocates for strong environmental policies, working with government bodies and international organizations to safeguard critical ecosystems like the Panama Canal watershed. Through strategic partnerships, they amplify their impact and mobilize resources for long-term conservation efforts. Why They Need Your Help Donations are essential to the success of ANCON’s conservation efforts, enabling them to expand their reach and address Panama’s most urgent environmental challenges. Your contributions will directly support the conservation of Panama’s protected areas and the restoration of key terrestrial and marine corridors. These efforts are critical for safeguarding water resources, protecting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. Donations also allow ANCON to work with local communities, providing them with the tools and training needed to adopt sustainable agricultural, fishing, forestry, and tourism practices. Additionally, your support will help expand their urban sustainability programs, addressing Panama’s waste management issues through recycling initiatives and education that inspire future generations of environmental stewards. With your help, ANCON can continue protecting Panama’s invaluable ecosystems, ensuring they remain a source of life and inspiration for generations to come.
Preserve Panama’s Ecosystems
SUPPORT Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner Name: Adopt a Panama Rainforest Association (ADOPTA) Location: Cerro Chucantí, Panama Appeal Category: Community Support and Development Ecotourism Ecosystem Restoration Endangered Species Government Policy Protected Area Management Wildlife Conservation Key Species: Colombian Spider Monkey Chucantí Centipede Snake Chucantí Salamander Challenges And Threats: Clearance of rainforest for cattle ranching Slash and burn activities Logging Actions: Protected area management Expand ecotourism infrastructure Community education and engagement The Challenge The cloud forests of Cerro Chucantí Reserve in eastern Panama rise to 4,700 feet in elevation and sustain a diverse tropical forest ecosystem. The geographic isolation of the Cerro Chucantí mountaintop reserve has allowed its flora and fauna to diversify considerably, such that it contains a number of locally endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. There have been many discoveries of species new to science at this unique site, including salamanders, frogs and snakes. Unfortunately, the rainforests in Cerro Chucantí are under significant threat from slash and burn activities, logging and cattle ranching. Urgent Solutions ADOPTA will work to strengthen the protection of the reserve through hiring forest guards and working in conjunction with the local government. Patrols will ensure the forest remains intact and poaching is stopped. An important part of the long-term strategy is ensuring local community support, and ADOPTA’s mission includes educating, training and engaging the community in conservation activities. Why Your Donation Matters With support from donors, ADOPTA can ensure the Cerro Chucantí Private Nature Reserve is safeguarded for all wildlife. Furthermore, the recently acquired San Bartolo Private Nature Reserve preserves the last remnants of lowland Pacific rainforest and fosters biodiversity akin to the biodiverse Osa Peninsula. By donating, supporters play a vital role in preserving these unique ecosystems and the remarkable species that inhabit them. Partner Qualifications IUCN Member A distinguished Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. IUCN Members are each vetted and voted on based on an independent, rigorous assessment and external references. Learn More Verified Partner One of Conservation Allies’ staff or trusted advisors has visited this organization and verified its work and impact. Legally Constituted This organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin. Top Accountability Our experienced team has rigorously reviewed the organization’s annual accounts. Learn More Effective Impact We recognize this Partner for their tremendous efforts to make a difference for wildlife and local communities, as well as welcome technical support from Conservation Allies to improve and scale up their impact. Conservation Action Heroes We recognize this Partner for their high level of engagement with the Conservation Allies team and their demonstration of a clear commitment to our collective mission of making a real difference and having a major impact on wildlife and communities where it is needed most.
Adopt A Panama Rainforest Association
DONATE TO ADOPTA Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner: Adopt a Panama Rainforest Association (ADOPTA) Location: Panama, Latin America Category: Reforestation Protected Area Management Wildlife Conservation Urgent Appeals: Support Panama’s Ecosystem Date Founded: 2004 Website: www.adoptabosque.org Partner Qualifications: Verified PartnerOne of Conservation Allies’ staff or trusted advisors has visited this organization and verified its work and impact. Legally ConstitutedThis organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin. Effective ImpactWe recognize this Partner for their tremendous efforts to make a difference for wildlife and local communities, as well as welcome technical support from Conservation Allies to improve and scale up their impact. Conservation Action HeroesWe recognize this Partner for their high level of engagement with the Conservation Allies team and their demonstration of a clear commitment to our collective mission of making a real difference and having a major impact on wildlife and communities where it is needed most. About ADOPTA ADOPTA is a non-profit organization in Panama that works to identify areas with exceptional biodiversity that lack any legal conservation status. They then work to guarantee the protection of these areas. Its primary project is the Cerro Chucanti Private Nature Reserve, where Cerro Chucantí is the tallest peak in the Majé mountain range, rising some 5,000 ft above the surrounding isolated temperate cloud forest. This isolation has allowed endemism to flourish, resulting in over a hundred endemic taxa, many of which are not found anywhere else on Earth. The San Bartolo Private Nature Reserve, bordering Costa Rica in Western Panama, is a rainforest located in the upper watershed of the San Bartolo River that constitutes some of the last remnants of lowland Pacific rainforest of western Panama. It presents high similarities with wildlife otherwise restricted to extreme southeastern Costa Rica, including the biodiverse Osa Peninsula. Their Challenges Panama faces several environmental challenges, including ongoing deforestation and degradation. Many species are losing habitat at an unsustainable rate. The illegal wildlife trafficking trade is another major threat faced by Panama’s wildlife. Their Approach ADOPTA has expanded the Cerro Chucantí Private Nature Reserve, discovered new species, and safeguarded critical habitats. The recently acquired San Bartolo Private Nature Reserve preserves the last remnants of lowland Pacific rainforest and fosters biodiversity akin to the biodiverse Osa Peninsula. Why They Need Your Help ADOPTA seeks support to be able to continue land purchases, monitor wildlife, support local indigenous interns, and cover operational costs of education programs. Support is especially needed to cover the maintenance costs of the field stations within the nature reserves, salaries for the reserve staff, travel costs to the remote areas where they work, and vehicle maintenance. By donating, you play a vital role in preserving the unique ecosystems of Panama and the remarkable species that inhabit them.
