All of our conservation and development projects have been carefully selected to provide the maximum positive impact on the communities and environments where we work. Long term partnerships with grassroots organisations, built to create short, medium and long term goals for each project guarantee that every team makes a lasting difference.

What better way to make a positive impact, whilst experiencing conservation first hand, than by going to the heart of the Brazilian Amazon to help to develop a ground breaking, grassroots project. Around 40% of each team members' contribution goes directly to funding the project, and towards the long term running of ABRA, a protected area and community, which is working with renewable and dependable resources, in tune with the natural environment so as to lessen the impact of man on nature.

Through professional project managers, who source food, materials and labour locally while following strict environmental and ethical policies, we guarantee that together we will make a very positive difference.

THE PROBLEM
Brazil´s Amazon heartlands are threatened by deforestation, industrial development, and intensive farming.  Indiscriminate consumption of natural resources and chemical products are damaging fragile eco-systems forever.  The problem faced by the Amazon region highlights the pressing need throughout the world to transform the way in which we live.

With populations expanding, the pressure we are putting on nature is spiralling out of control.  As the developed world´s demands continue to grow, the world´s poorest continue to suffer with lack of basic hygiene, education or jobs.  Another more sustainable model is needed to help readdress this balance. 

THE SOLUTION
ABRA´s principle aim is to create an RPPN, a natural reserve and ecological sanctuary in the Amazon Rainforest, helping to preserve it in its natural state. 

The mission is to work with local people to build a sustainable social community, economy and environment appropriate to the Amazon region.  The project works with small scale organic farming techniques, using perma-culture and guaranteeing a sustainable use of land and a healthy end product.  The project focuses on activities that increase local wealth and job opportunities, so as to raise the standard of living for the poor communities that live within the region. 

One way to achieve this is through the creation of a small-scale eco-lodge, offering low impact tourists the chance to experience the Brazilian Amazon.  Your help is needed to create this infrastructure.  If you're interested in eco-tourism and want to help with forest conservation, then volunteer here. This program plays an essential role in sustaining and developing the conservation aims of ABRA.

ABRA's vision is to create a village, within the forest, that complements its natural surroundings. A village with the forest as its school and a community full of happiness, natural abundance and freedom.

ABRA's mission is to construct a community, which is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable and appropriate to the Amazon region.  

PARTNER HISTORY
ABRA was founded in January 2001. Prior to this the founders, Vanessa Marino and Leo Principe lived for a period of 13 months, leaving from Manaus, Brazil and travelling throughout Brazil, Bolivia and Venezuela, in a pick-up truck converted into a caravan, so as to understand, learn and document technological alternatives and connect with other eco-villages and people to form an association of sustainable development.

Since its inception, ABRA has worked actively to create a learning community with the traditional Amazonian population and volunteers of diverse nationalities. It has been able to OFFER close participation in courses, lives, workshops and lectures.

ABRA is a sustainable community. Today 13 residents live at ABRA, 8 adults and 5 children, working in diverse areas such as environmental education, organic farming, eco-tourism, bio-construction and photography amongst others.

QUEST´s relationship with ABRA began in 2004 when our Latin America Manager was lucky enough to stumble across the project, whilst exploring the Amazon and North-east regions of Brazil.  So taken aback by this project, she stayed for several months and took a little piece of ABRA away with her in her heart.  When the need for funding and volunteers became apparent we quickly looked at ways that QUEST and our volunteers could contribute to this incredibly worthwhile project. 

WHERE?
ABRA is situated 144kms from Manaus, the city at the heart of the Amazon region.
ABRAs land for project development is 270 hectares, within which 15 hectares is designated to construction of the eco-village. The rest is left to create an RPPN (a park of National interest), to preserve the virgin forests and those that live there.