Our Values

It is no secret that nature is severely threatened worldwide. Panama is unfortunately no exception, having lost an estimated 7.7% of its forest cover between 2001–2020.

We have seen trees toppled and forests burned firsthand. The results can be heartbreaking: species vanishing from places they were once reliable, erosion sending sediment and other pollutants into waterways, water scarcity… something has to be done to stop the madness!

The Adopt a Panama Rainforest Association (ADOPTA) is a Panamanian nonprofit, non-governmental organization that promotes environmental education, sustainable development activities, and the conservation of tropical rainforests.

Mission and vision

Our mission is to encourage the conservation and sustainable use of forests for the benefit of the people and wildlife of Panama.

We have a vision of a society in which people know and embrace nature as their own.

Our Approach

Outreach

Conservation efforts can only be truly sustainable when they are supported by the people most strongly connected to the area, so we aim to include local communities in all our activities.

Education

The more people know about something, the more likely they are to care about it. Therefore, we try to include some form of education in everything we do.

Protection

When rare and unique environments are under threat, they merit immediate protection as reserves. These protected areas can also provide benefits that extend beyond their borders.

Research

The lack of information is a serious barrier to conservation in many areas of Panama. How can we know what to protect, or how to do so effectively, if we don’t understand what’s there?