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Junglekeepers Celebrates TIME Feature on Co-Founder Juan Julio Durand, Amplifying Indigenous Leadership in Amazon Conservation
PERU, Madre de Dios, November 12, 2024 — Junglekeepers is proud to announce the recognition of our Co-Founder, Juan Julio Durand, by TIME magazine in a feature highlighting his remarkable journey from a humble native with a vision to a pioneering conservationist. As a member of the Indigenous Ese’Eja community, Juan Julio’s vision has become a symbol of hope and resilience for the Amazon rainforest and its defenders.
The article shines a light on JJ's early life and the profound shift that led him to dedicate his efforts to protect the very forest he once exploited. In partnership with conservationist Paul Rosolie, Junglekeepers was born, an organization committed to protecting the biodiversity of the Las Piedras corridor, a critical yet vulnerable area of the Peruvian Amazon. Their collaborative vision has led to the safeguarding of over 97,000 acres of rainforest, a significant milestone achieved through direct action and local empowerment.
The feature celebrates JJ’s leadership in mobilizing the community, transforming former loggers into trained rangers, and standing firm against threats from illegal mining and logging. His story underscores the power of local involvement in conservation and the vital role Indigenous knowledge plays in preserving ecosystems for future generations.
Junglekeepers is honored by TIME’s recognition of Durand’s work and remains steadfast in its mission to expand protection efforts along the Las Piedras River. The organization continues to build on this momentum, seeking further collaboration and support to achieve the long-term goal of securing 300,000 acres of pristine Amazon rainforest.
For more information about Juan Julio Durand's story and Junglekeepers' conservation efforts, visit Junglekeepers. To read his profile by TIME, visit TIME100 website.
The article shines a light on JJ's early life and the profound shift that led him to dedicate his efforts to protect the very forest he once exploited. In partnership with conservationist Paul Rosolie, Junglekeepers was born, an organization committed to protecting the biodiversity of the Las Piedras corridor, a critical yet vulnerable area of the Peruvian Amazon. Their collaborative vision has led to the safeguarding of over 97,000 acres of rainforest, a significant milestone achieved through direct action and local empowerment.
The feature celebrates JJ’s leadership in mobilizing the community, transforming former loggers into trained rangers, and standing firm against threats from illegal mining and logging. His story underscores the power of local involvement in conservation and the vital role Indigenous knowledge plays in preserving ecosystems for future generations.
Junglekeepers is honored by TIME’s recognition of Durand’s work and remains steadfast in its mission to expand protection efforts along the Las Piedras River. The organization continues to build on this momentum, seeking further collaboration and support to achieve the long-term goal of securing 300,000 acres of pristine Amazon rainforest.
For more information about Juan Julio Durand's story and Junglekeepers' conservation efforts, visit Junglekeepers. To read his profile by TIME, visit TIME100 website.