CONAPAC Partners
Explorama Lodges formed CONAPAC, its sister non-profit, in 1990 in order to purchase and protect primary rainforest and build the Canopy Walkway. In 1993, Pam Bucur, Frances Gatz, and Lee Peavy came up with the idea of the CONAPAC Adopt-A-School Program, prodded by a generous and enthusiastic group of teachers trying to find a way to bring school supplies to the rainforest children. Since then, as CONAPAC has evolved, Explorama has been supportive every step of the way. Protecting and preserving the rainforest for the people who live here, and for the world, is a top priority for both CONAPAC and Explorama.
In 1999, the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) volunteered to be the official CONAPAC Adopt-A-School sponsor in the United States. Not only does the DZS collect funding from all over the world to make the program possible, at no administrative cost to CONAPAC, it also provides a volunteer program to help deliver school supplies to the villages. The Amazon Rainforest Adopt-A-School Program could not function without the tireless organizing, promoting, and marketing of the Detroit Zoological Society staff. The DZS is also an important donor to CONAPAC’s programs, providing funds for books, teacher workshops, and project oversight.
International Expeditions has been a valued CONAPAC partner since both were dreaming about a canopy walkway in 1991. International Expeditions employees were there at the beginning, helping us design the Adopt-A-School program along with teachers they brought for a rainforest workshop. International Expeditions continues to make critical contributions to CONAPAC projects, including a boat to visit villages, a staff member dedicated to visiting river communities for project support, books for the Adopt-A-School program, building two water treatment plants in river villages, and making possible the first urban teaching garden in Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest.
The SAGA Charitable Trust is a United Kingdom charity that supports sustainable projects in developing countries that host Saga tours. In 2009, they joined CONAPAC to support and fund mini-water treatment plants for communities along the Amazon and Napo Rivers, providing clean drinking water. SAGA has shown its commitment by providing funding for construction, education, and logistical needs. By the end of 2010, CONAPAC will have built 14 mini-water treatment plants, the majority of which were funded by The SAGA Charitable Trust.
CONAPAC is very thankful for guests of Environmental Expeditions who regularly travel to the rainforest to lend a hand on service projects in Adopt-A-School river communities. Environmental Expeditions groups have dug fish ponds, painted schools, planted trees, developed environmental education signage for the communities, and provided cross-cultural experiences for river village children. Many of the teachers who participate in their Amazon Rainforest Workshops become AAS supporters.
Amazon Amigos is a gift program designed to support CONAPAC and related programs in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. A gift purchase/donation through Amazon Amigos supports community development and self-sustaining micro-enterprises. Amazon Amigos is made possible by the TREE Foundation and Environmental Expeditions, with thanks to Amazon Explorama Lodges, Widener University, and Ecoprint Publishing. A community website was created to nurture the camaraderie of all CONAPAC contributors.
Global Explorers is a nonprofit organization committed to sharing educational, fun, and transformative travel experiences for students and educators of all abilities and backgrounds. They are proud to share the work of CONAPAC with their travelers.
The Madeline Berman Academy for Humane Education offers a broad range of programs designed to meet the needs of its diverse audiences. In 2010, the Academy for Humane Education made a substantial contribution to support our Adopt-A-School program by publishing our student and teacher notebooks. Through original artwork and age-appropriate information, their message of compassion for all animals is shared in our rainforest communities.
EarthKids Org was formed with the goal of providing individuals with the opportunity to visit a different culture and to experience the personal impact of a nature-based lifestyle. These expeditions for teens, adults, and families offer the opportunity to immerse oneself in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest and experience a simple and natural way of life.
