Emanuela Evangelista was born in Rome on May 6, 1968. Biologist and environmental activist, she is a member of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), President of Amazônia Onlus and Vice President of Trentino Insieme, organizations engaged in international cooperation.
After participating in research projects in Africa, Peru and Brazil, she has lived in the Amazon for 20 years and involved in the conservation of the tropical forest. Together with the native population of the Caboclos, she has carried out sustainable development projects, actions in defense of the right to health and education and protection of traditional cultural identity.
Specialized in the study of aquatic mammals, she has conducted several scientific research projects aimed at the conservation of endemic species at risk of extinction. The results of her studies have been presented in international scientific congresses, published in scientific journals, disseminated among Brazilian researchers and decision makers and included in the Brazilian Action Plan for the conservation of mammals.
Her work contributed to the creation, in 2018, of the national park called the Lower Rio Branco and Rio Jauaperi Extractive Reserve, 600 thousand hectares of tropical forest protected and designated for the exclusive use by natives, solely in the context of sustainable and environmentally friendly activities. The area joins an important corridor of conservation units and represents a key result for the fight against climate chaos.
Her work led to the birth of Amazon Charitable Trust, a London-based foundation that brings together authoritative names in the field of conservation.
In 2009 she received the Environmentalist of the Year award from Legambiente for her commitment in defense of the Amazon. Under her leadership, Amazônia Onlus association was also awarded the A forest for Kyoto award, delivered by the Kronos Academy in the Capitol in Rome and a special mention at the Peace Prize, established by the Region of Lombardy.
In 2020 she was appointed Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. The high honor was motivated “for her constant international commitment to environmental protection, the protection of indigenous peoples and the fight against deforestation”.
As an activist she is committed to disseminating the themes of the Amazon and its biodiversity and collaborates with national and international newspapers to denounce deforestation and promote the importance of forests in the balance of the planet.
Her work has often been the subject of interest to the international press.