Helping all of nature thrive on the Tompotika peninsula
On assignment for IUCN NL, I visited Sulawesi to document the work of the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (ALTo). Their efforts are centered on the Tompotika peninsula, Indonesia–one of Earth’s most unique biological treasure-houses. At the invitation of local communities, AlTo forges partnerships to protect and restore imperiled species, tropical rainforests, and other natural ecosystems while supporting the dignity and self-sufficiency of local communities in a changing world. They are committed to helping all of nature, including people, thrive.
The AlTo alliance was formed when local villagers in Taima, Tompotika, asked visiting conservation biologist Marcy Summers to help them prevent the disappearance of the endangered maleo bird in their area. Assembling a team of local, national, and international participants working side by side, the group launched AlTo’s first maleo conservation effort in 2006.
AlTo works directly with local communities to search for solutions, because they believe that meaningful change begins with real people, who wake up to birdsong, get dirt under their fingernails, and dream of their children’s futures. And, just as the whole world contributes to our current planetary crisis, so the whole world must join together to heal it.
