Canopy
"She doesn't need saving.
She needs resources."
A mutual aid network connecting conservation biologists, lawyers, and technologists directly to Indigenous-led forest defense groups — no NGO overhead, no waiting.
Why we exist,
and how it started.
Three moments that proved the problem wasn't lack of will — it was lack of a direct line.
March 2021The Failed Grant
A 47-page application to a major conservation foundation. Eighteen months of review. The answer: "Your partners lack institutional capacity." The Yanomami coordinator had been defending 9.6 million hectares for twelve years.
April 2021The Phone Call
We called Marta Kopenawa directly. She said: "We don't need your organization. We need twelve GPS units before logging season starts in June." The call lasted eleven minutes.
May 2021The First Wire
$3,840 wired directly to a community account in Boa Vista. Twelve Garmin eTrex units arrived on June 3rd. Logging encroachments documented: 34. Legal interventions filed: 7. Forest protected: 2,100 hectares.
Who we serve,
and what they need now.
Every card is a real team, a real forest, a real need with a deadline. No stock photos of sad animals. Just named people doing specific work.
Amazon⚡ Urgent
Marta Kopenawa
Territorial Coordinator
Yanomami Hutukara Association
Amazon Basin, Brazil
Marta's team needs 12 replacement GPS units before logging season begins in April.
Congo Basin⚡ Urgent
Emmanuel Nkomo
Legal Liaison
Baka Forest Peoples Alliance
Congo Basin, Cameroon
Emmanuel needs pro bono support filing three land-rights injunctions before February court date.
Borneo
Siti Rahayu binti Jalong
Mapping Coordinator
Penan Kelabit Highlands Network
Borneo, Malaysia
Siti's team needs satellite imagery subscriptions renewed — current licenses expire March 15.
Amazon
Raoni Txucarramãe Jr.
Patrol Chief
Kayapó Mebêngôkre Guardians
Xingu River Basin, Brazil
Raoni's patrol needs fuel for two boats and radio equipment to cover the eastern boundary.
Where the money went.
Every dollar, every date.
$35.1k
Total disbursed
6
Disbursements
3
Regions
Yanomami Hutukara Association
Marta Kopenawa · Jun 3, 2021
12 Garmin eTrex GPS units + carrying cases
Outcome: 34 illegal encroachments documented. 7 legal interventions filed. 2,100 ha protected.
Baka Forest Peoples Alliance
Emmanuel Nkomo · Sep 18, 2021
Legal filing fees + 3-month retainer for Yaoundé-based environmental lawyer Céleste Mbarga
Outcome: Two injunctions granted. Logging operations suspended pending full environmental review.
Penan Kelabit Highlands Network
Siti Rahayu binti Jalong · Jan 12, 2022
12-month Planet Labs satellite imagery subscription — 3m resolution, daily revisit
Outcome: 18 unauthorized road-clearing events detected within 48 hours of occurrence. 4 reported to SUHAKAM.
Kayapó Mebêngôkre Guardians
Raoni Txucarramãe Jr. · Apr 29, 2022
4,000L diesel + 2 Motorola radios + antenna installation at eastern boundary post
Outcome: Eastern boundary patrol coverage increased from 40% to 94%. Zero encroachments in Q3 2022.
Baka Forest Peoples Alliance
Emmanuel Nkomo · Oct 7, 2022
Emergency legal support — international arbitration filing against Cameroon Timber Corp.
Outcome: Arbitration pending. Interim injunction granted Nov 2022. 340,000 ha under protection order.
Yanomami Hutukara Association
Marta Kopenawa · Feb 14, 2023
Emergency medical supplies + evacuation transport for 3 families displaced by illegal miners
Outcome: All families safely relocated. Marta's team coordinated with FUNAI. 6 miners prosecuted.