Isabel Araújo

Brazilian environmental activist leading Amazon preservation through indigenous partnerships

Isabel Araújo emerged as a key figure in Amazon conservation during the 2015-2019 period, co-founding Amazon Guardian Network. This initiative established unprecedented partnerships between Brazilian authorities and 47 indigenous tribes to monitor illegal logging. Her drone-based surveillance system, developed with MIT researchers, detected 1,200 illegal operations between 2016-2018, leading to 300+ convictions.

Araújo pioneered the EcoGuardian app allowing real-time reporting by indigenous communities. Her work was featured in National Geographic's 2017 documentary "Amazon's Silent Protectors". She brokered the 2019 agreement between 12 NGOs and the Brazilian government to create protected corridors covering 12 million hectares. Despite facing death threats from logging cartels, Araújo's efforts reduced deforestation in her focus areas by 40% during her campaign period.