Victor Hernandez Campos

Colombian environmentalist who pioneered rainforest conservation in the Amazon basin

Victor Hernandez Campos (1912-1972) was a Colombian biologist and conservationist whose work laid the foundation for modern rainforest preservation in the Amazon region. Born in Leticia near the Amazon River, he witnessed the destructive impact of rubber exploitation and logging on indigenous communities and ecosystems.

In 1941, he co-founded the Amazon Research Institute, the first organization dedicated to scientific study of the Amazon ecosystem. His 1953 book Rivers of Life: The Amazon Basin Ecosystem was the first comprehensive ecological study of the region, influencing global environmental policies.

Campos led the successful campaign to establish Colombia's first national park in the Amazon region (1958), creating a model for later protected areas. His innovative 'ecological corridors' concept, introduced in 1965, became a cornerstone of modern conservation strategies. He trained over 200 indigenous guides as conservationists through his 1968 program.

Though largely forgotten in the English-speaking world, his work inspired Brazil's first environmental laws in the 1970s. The Victor Hernandez Campos Amazon Reserve, established in 2001, protects 1.2 million hectares of rainforest. His writings are preserved in the Biodiversity Heritage Library.