In Brazil’s Amazon, local communities led voluntary patrols across 11 years, carrying out nearly 20,000 outings. These efforts cut illegal fishing, hunting and logging by 80% in protected reserves—while government enforcement saw no decline. Real proof that empowered locals make conservation work.
(c) Danilo Arenas
(c) Danilo Arenas

Volunteers More Effective than State Patrols in Fighting Environmental Crime

MONGABAY

In Brazil’s Amazon, local communities led voluntary patrols across 11 years, carrying out nearly 20,000 outings. These efforts cut illegal fishing, hunting and logging by 80% in protected reserves—while government enforcement saw no decline. Real proof that empowered locals make conservation work.

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