59Adam Gebb is a passionate conservation strategist focusing on preserving biodiversity through landscape connectivity. As the Executive Director of the Andes Amazon Conservancy, he works closely with Indigenous communities in Ecuador to protect essential wildlife migration corridors between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest. With over 30 years of experience in conservation, he has led numerous studies on wildlife migration and developed practical strategies to balance ecological integrity with the needs of local communities.
Born in New York City, Adam earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Marketing from Northeastern University in Boston. However, his growing interest in environmental conservation led him to shift his career direction. In 1989, he began studying ethno-ecology and tropical ecology at San Francisco State University, which took him to Northern Thailand. He gained firsthand insight into tropical ecosystems and saw how deeply Indigenous communities are intertwined with their land and natural resources.
In Thailand, Adam observed the disconnect between government-driven conservation initiatives and the realities of local communities. This experience had a lasting impact on his conservation philosophy, shaping his belief that meaningful environmental solutions can only be developed in collaboration with the Indigenous people who have long stewarded these landscapes. Since then, his work has been guided by integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific methods to create lasting, community-centered conservation strategies.
In 2018, Adam founded the Andes Amazon Conservancy in Ecuador, where his organization collaborates with Indigenous nations such as the Shuar, Kichwa, Shiwiar, and Sapara to protect the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. One of his key projects is the creation of a 300-kilometer wildlife migration corridor that reconnects the Andes with the Amazon. This corridor is vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems by enabling wildlife to move freely across fragmented habitats, ensuring species have access to the resources they need to thrive.
A central aspect of Adam's work is the concept of landscape connectivity, which focuses on establishing continuous wildlife corridors that enable species to migrate between habitats. This approach is crucial in regions like the Amazon, where deforestation and infrastructure development threaten to isolate wildlife populations. By reconnecting fragmented ecosystems, his work helps mitigate the impacts of these threats, ensuring that biodiversity can be sustained.
Food sovereignty is another key focus of Adam's efforts. Many Indigenous communities in the Amazon face food insecurity due to deforestation and other forms of environmental degradation. Through initiatives like the Edible Forest Program, he works with local communities to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable food sources by planting native fruit and nut trees along wildlife corridors. This innovative program helps increase access to nutritious food while protecting the rainforest.
Adam's work has been internationally recognized. In 2024, he was nominated for the Earthshot Prize for innovative environmental solutions. Through his leadership, he contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation and community empowerment.