With the Global Vision Awards, Travel and Leisure Magazine honors the visionaries: the people and organizations that have proved energetic in defending the cultural, ecological, and historical treasures of the traveler's world.

The 2006 winner of this award is the governor of Acre, Brazil, Jorge Viana. Acre is a state in the northwestern region of Brazil.

Some quick facts reveal:
2500 - Acre's estimated number of fish species. The state is home to enourmous red pirarucu, an air-breathing species and the world's largest freshwater fish (it can grow up to 13 feet long!).

300 - The estimated number of tree varieties (including the Brazil nut tree) that can be found in a single hectacre of Acre forest.

200 - The number of mammal species in Acre - among them the black-chinned emperor tamarin, a small monkey with an extravagant white mustache, and the endangered black-faced spider monkey.

14 - The number of indigenous groups in Acre, including the largest of native tribes, the 5,000-strong Kaxinawa. The state's total popluation is just 560,000.

What has Viana done?
In his two years as governor, Viana has blocked plans for state roads that would lead to deforestation yet supports a controversial highway that is critical to economic development. Viana has also advocated a mixed-use policy that accomodates ranchers, farmers, and indigenous tribes. He recognizes the importance of timber to Acre's economy and has set aside 9.9 million acres of forest, one-quarter of the state's territory, for sustainable harvest.

In the meantime, Viana has championed agricultural practices that demonstrate the moneymaking potential of standing forests. Local communities are now harvesting renewable resources such as rubber, acai palm fruit, and medicinal oils. By harvesting these renewable resources instead of cutting the trees down, the local tribes have a brighter economic future.

We at Green Earth Ministries salute Jorge Viana for his diligent work. To read more about other projects working to save our rainforest check out our story on the great strides being made by MonaVie:  "Mona-Vie for Health, I'm Convinced Even M.O.R.E. Now" below.