The Mamirauá Project combines researchers, extension workers and local community members, working together. Approximately 20 researchers, various specialists in ecology, social science and the management of natural resources, from many regions of Brazil and abroad, are based at a headquarters in the city of Tefé, Amazonas. A further 20 extension workers in the fields of health and nutrition, environmental education, rural extension and community development, political integration and social development and ecotourism also form part of the group. 50 support staff are directly involved in the work of the Project, and more than 100 visiting researchers from diverse institutions both in Brazil and abroad have already contributed their expertise.

Institutional support comes directly from CNPq, and via agreements with IPAAM and IBAMA. Financial support is principally from the National Research Council (CNPq/MCT), bilateral co-operation from the British Government (DFID), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and from the European Commission (EC). In addition to these, many other institutions support the work of the project in various ways.

The activities of the Mamirauá Project are concentrated in a Focal Area, of approximately 260,000 hectares. In this area, initial scientific research work consisted of studies of the principal groups of flora and fauna, and mapping and the analysis of satellite images. Simultaneously, a demographic and socio-economic census of the resident and user communities of the RSDM was carried out.

Once the principal natural resources used by the local population had been identified, these species became the target for specific and in-depth biological research, to support continued sustainable use of these resources. In this way, fish species, mammals, reptiles and timber tree species became the principal objects of study.

Assessments of the health conditions of the local human population and other sociological studies were carried out to improve understanding of the historical and ecological relationship between these traditional communities and their environment.

The conservation model followed at Mamirauá includes the sustainable use of natural resources by the human population. People already living in the Reserve were not removed and the residents of Mamirauá and the adjacent areas participate in discussions on the working of the Reserve.

As a result of the Management Plan for the RSDM, published in 1996, a series of rules relating to the zoning of the reserve and the use of natural resources were proposed by researchers and approved by the General Assembly (see zoning map). Such rules, in many cases, represent a considerable impact on the subsistence economy of the users of the Reserve. To offset this, several sustainable and low environmental impact economic alternatives are being introduced in the area by the Project. Amongst these are ecotourism, the marketing of local crafts, and a program to commercialise fishing on a sustainable basis. Further alternatives will be introduced in the course of the next few years.

The Mamirauá project represents a major challenge. As well as ensuring the conservation of an extensive area of flooded forest, the last refuge for countless endemic and threatened species, the project is working to secure a decent standard of living for the local human population.

Mamirauá Sustainable Development Project conducts EarthFoot's Mamirauá Rainforest Experience program.