Meet Adam Gebb

Adam Gebb is a renowned conservation strategist and environmental leader who has dedicated his career to addressing the challenges of landscape connectivity. By collaborating with Indigenous and rural communities, he strives to solve the complex issues of preserving wildlife migration corridors. As the Executive Director of the Andes Amazon Conservancy, Adam works closely with Indigenous nations in Ecuador to protect the vital corridors that link the Andes with the Amazon. His work spans over 30 years of experience in wildland conservation, during which he has conducted extensive studies on wildlife migration and biocorridors. Through these efforts, Adam has developed innovative strategies that aim to maintain the ecological integrity of these landscapes while supporting the communities that rely on them.

Early Life and Academic Foundation

Born and raised in New York City, Adam initially pursued a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on International Marketing from Northeastern University in Boston. Despite this background in business, his passion for environmental conservation soon steered him onto a different path. In 1989, he deepened his knowledge of ecology by studying ethno-ecology and tropical ecology at San Francisco State University, a journey that took him to Northern Thailand. Adam gained firsthand experience of tropical ecosystems and the intricate relationships between Indigenous communities and their environments. This exposure highlighted the gap between government-led conservation efforts and the needs of local communities, shaping his belief that lasting conservation solutions must come from the collaboration between Indigenous people and environmental scientists.

The Andes and Amazon: A New Chapter in Conservation

In 2018, Gebb took a significant step toward his conservation goals by relocating to Ecuador and founding the Andes Amazon Conservancy. The organization partners with Indigenous nations such as the Shuar, Kichwa, Shiwiar, and Sapara to protect some of the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth while promoting sustainable development. As the Executive Director, Adam is leading efforts to establish a 300-kilometer wildlife migration corridor to reconnect the Amazon rainforest with the Andes Mountains. His focus on landscape connectivity, the principle that wildlife requires conservation networks to migrate freely, is critical in the Amazon, where deforestation and road construction fragment habitats. Adam's work emphasizes the importance of Indigenous-led conservation and land-use planning, combining traditional knowledge with modern science to create more effective and innovative conservation strategies.

Championing Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Land Use

One of the central pillars of Adam Gebb's conservation efforts is the concept of food sovereignty, which he incorporates into his work with local Indigenous communities in Ecuador. Many of these communities are experiencing the devastating effects of deforestation and road construction, leading to ecological degradation and a loss of traditional food sources. In response, Adam collaborates with local leaders to develop conservation land-use plans that promote sustainable agriculture and the creation of edible forests. His ultimate goal is to establish networks that ensure human food sovereignty and wildlife migration, helping ecosystems and communities thrive together. Through his leadership in the Edible Forest Program, Adam has worked to reconnect fragmented rainforests by planting highly diverse corridors of native fruit, nut, and edible palm trees, thus tackling biodiversity conservation and food security.

Research and Advocacy in Conservation

With over 30 years of experience in environmental studies, Adam has been at the forefront of research and advocacy efforts in the conservation sector. His research in the Ecuadorian Amazon has offered valuable insights into the movement patterns of entire forest communities and how development and deforestation impact these populations. Adam has highlighted the critical importance of wildlife migration networks in preserving biodiversity through his work. His findings have been shared with local and international conservation organizations, helping shape policies and practices in the Andes Amazon region. His research continues to inform and inspire conservation strategies that prioritize both environmental preservation and the needs of local communities.

Earthshot Prize Nomination for Groundbreaking Work

In 2024, Gebb's work was nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize, an honor recognizing innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This nomination acknowledged the successes of the Andes Amazon Conservancy in its Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, highlighting the organization's efforts to integrate sustainable land-use planning with wildlife migration networks. Adam's work has shown how these approaches can balance the demands of growing human populations with the need to protect biodiversity. His model, which combines wildlife corridors with food sovereignty strategies, has been recognized as a replicable solution that can have a global impact on conservation practices.

Passion for the Outdoors and Adventure

Outside of his conservation work, Adam Gebb is an avid outdoor enthusiast with over 40 years of experience exploring wilderness areas worldwide. He has guided various outdoor expeditions, including backpacking, kayaking, and backcountry skiing. His skills in wildlife tracking, sustainable forestry, and map-making have been invaluable in his conservation efforts. Adam's extensive knowledge of temperate and subtropical ecology and his expertise in backcountry navigation have enabled him to identify areas of high conservation value across vast landscapes. Additionally, he enjoys sailing and organic gardening, further fostering his connection to nature and reinforcing his dedication to environmental stewardship.

A Lasting Legacy in Conservation and Landscape Connectivity

A deep commitment to innovative conservation strategies and a strong belief in the power of collaboration defines Gebb's career. His work in landscape connectivity, food sovereignty, and Indigenous-led conservation has created lasting solutions for protecting ecosystems and empowering local communities. As the Executive Director of the Andes Amazon Conservancy, Adam continues to lead efforts that address some of the most urgent environmental challenges facing the Amazon and Andes regions. His legacy as a conservation leader integrating traditional knowledge with modern science promises a more sustainable and equitable future for people and wildlife.

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