By: Erica Escoe, Kailynn Brown, and Courtney Tucker

ENVIRONMENTALISTS Came to rainforest in the 1970s. They came to study the plants and animals that live in the rainforest. In 2001, the group won over the cattle ranchers for a reserved piece of land. They want slower, smarter rainforest development. They think all animals from the rainforest have a right to exist. Slowing the development of the rainforest would give scientists more time to study the effects of new activities.

RUBBER TAPPERS Came to rainforest in the 1870s. They came to remove the sap from trees. In 1839 Charles Goodyear discovered that the white latex sap was able to be transformed into a industrial product. They want to continue making a living from the rainforest. To do this, they need to stop the wide- spread clearing of the trees. Rubber Tappers believe that their right to the rainforest comes from having worked there so long.

CATTLE RANCHER Came to rainforest in 1960s. Their cattle graze on grassland, they eat all the grassland in one area (down to the dirt), then they are moved to another area with fresh grass. Lost against Environmentalists over a reserved piece of land. They want land for their cattle. They say they are making good use of the rainforest land by raising food for the world and earning money for Brazil.

ARGUMENT Logically thinking the Environmentalists should be the one’s to keep the rainforest how they want it. They will use it wisely. Or maybe it should be the Rubber Tappers? Since they have been there the longest. They want to continue making a living out of the rainforest. Or should it be the Cattle Ranchers? Cattle are an essential part of their lives. But other rainforest groups want the rain forest to be used a different way. Environmentalists want the rainforest to be persevered so, the scientists have more time to study the effects of new activities there.