Butterflies, Brazil Nuts and Biodiversity – Protecting the Peruvian Amazon with Johana Reyes
Thu Feb 05 2026
How the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon is combining science, education and community action to keep the forest standing, with Johana Reyes.
If you’ve ever wondered what a sustainable Amazon looks like in practice – how local livelihoods, science and education can work together to protect one of the most biodiverse places on Earth – this episode is for you.
Today’s guest is Johana Reyes, Founding Member and President of the Board for the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon. Johana joins us from the south‑eastern Peruvian Amazon – a region rich in Brazil nut forests, scarlet macaws and community‑led conservation.
We unpack the Alliance’s mission and model – from long‑term biological research and reforestation with local families to education programmes that connect children and students directly with the forest.
Johana shares what life is really like leading a small, field‑based team in the Amazon, the insights her work is revealing, and practical ways that you can get involved through internships, volunteering and research placements.
Whether you’re a student, career switcher or professional looking to make a greater impact, you’ll come away with grounded career advice – from experimenting early and translating your skills, to building confidence through hands‑on experience.
It’s a field‑based, hopeful, and practical episode. Enjoy.
Join CC - www.conservation-careers.com/join
ASA - www.sustainableamazon.org
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How the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon is combining science, education and community action to keep the forest standing, with Johana Reyes. If you’ve ever wondered what a sustainable Amazon looks like in practice – how local livelihoods, science and education can work together to protect one of the most biodiverse places on Earth – this episode is for you. Today’s guest is Johana Reyes, Founding Member and President of the Board for the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon. Johana joins us from the south‑eastern Peruvian Amazon – a region rich in Brazil nut forests, scarlet macaws and community‑led conservation. We unpack the Alliance’s mission and model – from long‑term biological research and reforestation with local families to education programmes that connect children and students directly with the forest. Johana shares what life is really like leading a small, field‑based team in the Amazon, the insights her work is revealing, and practical ways that you can get involved through internships, volunteering and research placements. Whether you’re a student, career switcher or professional looking to make a greater impact, you’ll come away with grounded career advice – from experimenting early and translating your skills, to building confidence through hands‑on experience. It’s a field‑based, hopeful, and practical episode. Enjoy. Join CC - www.conservation-careers.com/join ASA - www.sustainableamazon.org