Amazon Gold

About the Project

Amazon Gold is a 52-minute documentary film that follows photojournalist Ron Haviv and journalist Donovan Webster through the Madre de Dios region of Peru as they uncover the recent devastation of rainforests in the wake of illegal gold mining in the area. The team is led by Peruvian biologist Enrique Ortiz, who has over three decades of experience in the region and has led successful efforts to conserve large areas of rainforest. Together, the team provides a compelling look into the consequences of gold mining along the banks of Amazonian rivers, the effect on people that live amidst the mining wastelands, and the reasons why these pristine forests are more important left standing than cut down.

Although the film focuses on gold mining in Peru, it features important information about the intricacy of rainforest ecosystems and how they have global influences on our planet’s climate. Amazon Gold contains animation and scientific descriptions of how a rainforest functions and was designed to help teach viewers of all ages the reasons why tropical conservation is a critical issue. As well, Amazon Gold is the first film to successfully investigate the illegal mining towns of Huaypetue and Lamal, so it serves as a journalistic triumph in documenting the environmental tragedy that unfolds each day in southeastern Peru.

The Amazon Aid Foundation designed Amazon Gold to help foster awareness of current environmental issues in the Amazon. In order to attract attention to this growing threat, AAF will screen and distribute the film systematically to develop public involvement so as to make a change. Two social campaigns that have been developed in concordance with Amazon Gold are ACRE+CARE, a donation interface in which participants can help protect threatened rainforest in Peru, and Artists for the Amazon, a way to bring famous musicians and artists forward to draw their fans’ attention to deforestation. These projects, integrated into the Amazon Aid Foundation’s website and the new Amazon Gold website, will allow viewers of the film to help spread the word about illegal gold mining as well as provide support to conserve Amazonian rainforests.

The Fledgling Fund Impact

The Fledgling Fund is pleased to be able to support Amazon Gold - a critical tool in the fight to save the Amazon rainforest. The campaign associated with the film will give viewers a concrete way to take action on this issue.