The Society of Amigos de Iracambi, UK

In the 500 years since the first Europeans arrived in Brazil, 93%of the Atlantic Rainforest has been destroyed. Though less famous than its northern counterpart, the Amazon, the Atlantic Rainforest's unique climate supports a greater range of animal and plant life, much of which is in danger of extinction. Members of the local community face a daily challenge against poverty where pressures of survival outweigh any desire to conserve the forest. Amigos de Iracambi, the Brazilian registered NGO is working to stem this destruction and build a future for the forest and its inhabitants to live in harmony, improving the quality of life of the local farmers and rebuilding the forest.

Amigos de Iracambi strives to achieve this goal through: - Local education programmes to generate an appreciation of the importance and fragility of the forest; - Research into the regeneration of forest habitats; - Trials and implementation of the research into different land management practices.

The Society of Amigos de Iracambi (UK) (registered charity number 1097474) has been founded to support this cause by raising interest, fundraising, and pooling resources, contacts and ideas in the UK to ensure the future of the forest and its population. We are looking for your support in this either as an individual or a corporate organisation to:

- Donate to our forest futures programme;

- Raise and donate funds;

- Support one of our local programmes or become an Iracambi sponsor;

- Become involved in our research or volunteer programs.

Amigos de Iracambi UK wishes to remember John Wright, the Society's first Secretary, who died recently. All of us are profoundly grateful for his work, without which the Society would never have been created in the first place. Thank you, John, for all your help.

Board of Trustees: