In the early 1990s, Manaus hosted the “Workshop 90”, the first national event that focused efforts on establishing priority areas for conservation in the Amazon. This was the context in which a group of engaged people decided to create an organization that could offer a local response to environmental problems in the State of Amazonas. Vitória Amazônica Foundation (FVA) was created, created on January 19, 1990.
Focusing initially in the city of Manaus, FVA defined the Negro River basin as its geographical area of operation. Rio Negro is the largest black water river basin in the world. This scenario offers opportunities both for the conservation of nature and for encouraging the sustainable use of natural resources by local populations, both indigenous and non-indigenous.
Throughout its history, FVA has established a strong relationship of trust with residents of Rio Negro, developing a unique experience of participatory research based on an understanding of the perspectives and yearnings of these communities. The kick-off of this experience was Jaú National Park, where FVA developed studies for the development the park’s management plan.
Institutional milestones
WORLD: Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) • End of the division of the capitalist and socialist world • End of the Welfare State • Economic opening • Rouanet Law (1991) • Rio 92 • World Congress of Parks in Venezuela • CBD Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) • Brazil ratifies the CDB (1994) • Movimento Fora Collor and impeachment (1992) • Environmental movement incorporates themes such as sustainability and traditional populations • Brazil is the world champion in soccer • Rede GTA is created (1992).
FVA: Proposed constitution of an NGO with Silvio Barros, Sherre Nelson, Aziz AB’Saber and Vera Silva (1989) • FVA is created (January 19, 1990) with Silvio Barros, Beatriz Huber, Claudia Fonseca, Edinaldo Nelson, Eliana Fonseca, Fernando Rosas and Sherre Nelson and 75 more participants from Workshop 90 • Project Arca de Noé / CECAN (1989-1990) • Campaign Sauim-de-Coleira (1991-1992) • Articulation for the donation of a area to the City Hall with Frota (1991) • Gaia Project in Mindu (1991-1994) • Mindu Municipal Park is created (1993) • ECONIFE and Festival of Manatee (1990) • SEPROR agreement embraced by Fibrarte with Vitor Comar (1991-1992) • Survey of artisans from Novo Airão embryo of AANA with Luciana Gomes (1992) • Socioeconomic survey of PARNA Jaú do Nigel Sizer and George Rebelo (1990-1992) • First expeditions to Jaú (July and October 1993, January to February 1994) • FVA and IBAMA sign the first co-management agreement of PARNA Jaú (19 93) • Genesys / Gender Project at FVA (1994-1998) • FVA at Rio and Eco 92 • FVA at UICN • FVA at CONDEMMA • FVA at Rede GTA (1992) • CI support • WWF / W support. Alton Jones • Ford Support • CONAB Support • FVA acquires Uapé-açu (1991), Float do Miratucu (1993) and Toyota I (1994) • Land in Novo Airão is donated to FVA • Leonardo Lacerda, Andrew Murchie and Regina Oliveira at FVA (1991) • Presidency of the FVA with Silvio Barros and Council with Claudio Nina and Herbert Schubart (1990) • Executive direction of the FVA with Carlos Miller (1991-1996).
WORLD: Human Presence in PAs Seminar in Brasilia (1996) • Pro-UCs National Network is created (1998) • Rio + 5 and Agenda 21 Brazil (1997) • 1st. Brazilian Congress of UCs in Curitiba (1997) • Creation of GRI indicators • Ethos PNBE Institute (1998) • SNUC negotiations • Conservation Priorities for the Amazon Seminar in Macapá (1999) • Environmental Crimes Law (1998) • OSCIPs Law ( 1999).
FVA: First robust trip to Unini (1995) • Participatory mapping in PARNA Jaú (1996) • FVA in the development of the new Methodological Roadmap (1997) • FVA supports research projects by Sérgio Sá and Durigan in PARNA Jaú (1996-1997) • Management plan of PARNA Jaú (1998) • Book The Genesis of a Management Plan (1998) • FVA register PARNA Jaú UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site (1999) • FVA advocacy for the elaboration of SNUC • Survey on education at PARNA Jaú • 1st. PARNA Jaú Teachers Meeting • Health projects at PARNA Jaú (oral and women’s health) • 1st. Meeting of the residents of PARNA Jaú at the base (1997) • Book of Fishes • Campina do Patauá Expedition • Discussions of the logical framework of the Project Windows / Anavilhanas Workshop (1999) • Project Windows for Biodiversity (1999-2004) • Project Synergy (FVA , IMAZON, IMAFLORA, VITAE CIVILIS) with support from FUNBIO and Ford Foundation • Fibrarte Project • AANA Association of Artisans of Novo Airão is created (1996) • AANA participates in the first fair in MG and Spain • FVA incubator of FAM Fundação Almerinda Malaquias • FVA at FBOMS Executive Board • European Union / PNMA Support • Visit by the Ford Foundation Curator Council • Pinho Sol Partnership • FVA acquires its own headquarters in Manaus • Coordination of the FVA Research Program with José Luis and Serginho (1998-2000) • Executive Director of FVA with Muriel (1996-2003).
WORLD: 500 years’ March / Protest of Indigenous People (2000) • End of the World (2000) • Millennium Bug • World Trade Center Attack (2001) • Brazil penta soccer champion • SNUC Law is published (2000) • SNUC Decree is published ( 2002) • World Congress of Parks in Colombia • International Year of Volunteering (2001) • MP Access to Biodiversity (2001) • Rio + 10 (2002) • Lula is elected (2002) • Direction by INPA with Marcos Barros • Presidency of IBAMA with Marcos Barros • ARPA program is created (2002) • FAPEAM is created (2002) • SDS / AM is created (2003) • SDS / AM with Virgílio Viana (2003) • PE Sumaúma of urban forest fragments is created (2003) • Ministry of the Environment with Marina Silva (2003).
FVA: SNUC Law is published (2000) • AANA Craft Center is built (2000) • AANA participates in a fair in England • Experience exchange between residents of Unini and CPT (2001) • Migration studies at PARNA Jaú (2003) • Book Windows for Biodiversity (2004) • AMORU Rio Unini Residents’ Association is created (2002) • Fishing Agreement in Rio Unini (2004) • FVA and NEAC sign partnership for health project in PARNA Jaú • Participatory Rural Diagnosis in the Lower Rio Negro (2004) • Geopolitics of Conservation is born as an institutional project (2004) • FVA expands its area of operation in Rio Negro • Socio-environmental analysis for the creation of RESEX Rio Unini (2004) • FVA and CEUC / AM sign a technical partnership (2004) • Socio-environmental analysis for PE management plan Rio Negro Sector North (2004-2005) • FVA at Rio + 10 (2002) • End of Ford support • Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation support (2004-2019) • Bluemoon support • Planeta Casa Award (2003) • World Bank Citizenship Award (2003) • FVA acquires Toyota II • FVA headquarters in Manaus is renovated (2004) • Institutional restructuring programs (2000) • Executive coordination of FVA with Durigan (2003-2013).
WORLD: Climate change is on the agenda • European economic crisis • Dorothy Stang is murdered (2005) • Saddam Roussein is killed (2006) • Lula is re-elected (2006) • Mensalão case • RTRS Roundtable on Responsible Soy Association is created (2006) • RESEX Rio Unini is created (2006) • ICMBio is created (2007) • FAS is created (2007) • SEUC system is instituted (2007) • CEUC and CECLIMA are created (2008) • Manaus Metropolitan Region is instituted (2007) • Referendum on new Constitution of Bolivia including recognition of indigenous community justice (2008) • Sustainable Amazon Fund / BNDES is created (2008) • Gilberto do Jaú launches 1st. CD (2008) • ICMBio Contest (2008) • EE Anavilhanas becomes PARNA (2008) • PNPSB National Plan for Social biodiversity is established (2009).
FVA: Arumã Resource Management Plan Book (2005) • Rio Negro Fibers Project (2005-2006) • Public consultation for the creation of RESEX Rio Unini (2005) • RESEX Rio Unini is created (2006) • PARNA Jaú Advisory Council is established (2006) • Seminar on Land Issues in UCs (2008) • FVA and ICMBio in the development of the Commitment Terms at PARNA Jaú – Rio Jaú (2009) • Biodiversity Monitoring Project in Jaú (2007-2009) • SIMUR in Rio Unini (2008-2020) • PE Rio Negro Sector North management plan (2007) • Three expeditions to PE Serra do Aracá (2006-2007-2008) • PE Serra do Aracá management plan (2009) • Rio Negro Market Initiative • People for Conservation and Conservation for People is born as an institutional project • Value Added Project / Castanha Unini (2008-2015) • Castanheiros do Rio Unini Meeting (2008) • Piaçava Production Chain Project • Rio Negro Network is created (2006) • FUNBIO / ARPA Support • Award Ashoka Social Entrepreneur Mckynsei (2005) • Chico Mendes I Award (2005) • IX Ford Environmental Conservation Award (2005) • Chico Mendes II Award (2007) • FVA acquires Iuna (2009) • FVA builds Tiaracá Jaú research base and trail system (2006) • Institutional restructuring (2009).
WORLD: Decade of biodiversity • Nagoya Protocol (2010) and validity (2014) • Dilma is elected (2010) and re-elected (2014) • Immigration of Haitians to Brazil • Bridge over the Rio Negro is inaugurated (2011) • 10 years of Attack on the WTC (2011) • Cut of funds for the environmental agendas • Tsunami and nuclear accident Japan (2011) • Bin Laden is killed (2011) • No to the Islamic State • José Cláudio and Maria do Espírito Santo are murdered (2011) • Belo Monte begins to be built (2011) • Legal Framework for the Third Sector in Brazil (2012) • Rio + 20 (2012) • End of the world Maya (12.12.2012) • Demonstrations Primavera Brasileira / people on the streets (2013) • Eduardo Campos dies in an accident (2014) • Marina Silva candidate for President (2014) • Final of the Football World Cup in Brazil (7X1) • SDS / AM is dismantled (2015) • New Law on Access to Biodiversity (2015).
FVA: MBRN Lower Rio Negro Mosaic is established (2010) • Development process of Commitment Terms at PARNA Jaú – Rio Unini (2010) • Seminar on the Rights of Traditional Populations (2013) • Redefinition process PERN Northern Sector / Public Consultation (2014) • Development of Amazonas Environmental Services Law (2011-) • Socio-environmental Safeguards / REDD + Workshop (2014) • Last expedition to PE Serra do Aracá (2010) • Unini Rio da Sustentabilidade Book (2011) • DVD The third bank of the Unini River (2012) • RESEX Rio Unini Management Plan (2012) • CAUMORU machinery acquisition (2011-2012) • CAUMORU Rio Unini Residents Agroextractive Center (2012) • COOMARU Cooperativa Agroextrativista do Rio Unini is created (2012) • FVA and COOMARU launch 100g and 330g chestnut packaging (2013) • Vale Support (2013-2016) • Piaçava Productive Chain Project PNUD / MMA (2012) • FVA at Rio + 20 (2012) • FVA at Projeto Jovens Protagonistas ICMBio (2013-2015) • Ajuri initiative of Novo Airão (2011) • RMM Observatory (2014- to present) • Iranduba Book (2014) • Samuel Benchimol Award (2012) • National Biodiversity Award (2015) • FVA on social media ( 2012-to present) • FVA’s own headquarters in Novo Airão begins to be built (2014-2016) • Workshop # FVA25anos / Institutional restructuring (2015) • Executive coordination of FVA with Fabiano (2013-to present).