In June 2006, Matt started a multi-media communications projected called ‘Amazon Alive!’. Amazon Alive! created a series of highly successful public-education, non-profit ‘live & colourful’ events in London which promoted conservation and indigenous life in the Amazon.
Events included ‘Rainforest Evening’ in collaboration with Canning House in Belgravia where a panel eminent experts including John Hemming (author, historian and ex-director of Royal Geographical Society), Colin McEwan (Curator, British Museum) and Fiona Watson (Survival International).
The Amazon Alive! team also organized a ‘public event multi-media feature’ called the Rainforest Yurt for PESTIVAL at the London Wetland Centre. This was a 1 week public arts-meets-science environmental festival focusing on insects and nature conservation.
Rainforest Yurt was the first rainforest 'built' in a Mongolian Yurt! Featuring live tropical insects (tarantulas, scorpions and millipedes), recorded jungle and tribal sounds, projected photographic and filmed images, sustainable Amazon produce, the Yurt offered a series of live events:
- Live radio podcasts
- Live ‘Tropical Plants & Tarantula’ shows - talks and demonstrations
- Brazilian music and percussion performances
- Sustainable Amazon produce seminar
- Ant Safari