April Book Club “The Spirit of the Rainforest: How Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Curiosity Reconnects Us to the Natural World”

We’re excited to highlight Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, Ph.D. for our April #VSgetsLit Book Club Giveaway.

This Earth Month, we’re delighted to share that Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza is the special feature for our VS Gets Lit(erature) Book Club. Throughout the month of April, we will be giving away one FREE copy every week. Read on for more information about how you could win one of them! Stay tuned to our social media (@VanguardSTEM on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn) for details or find the full month of giveaway details below.

VanguardSTEM #VSGetsLit February Book Club Featured author, Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza (left) and the cover graphics to her book, ““The Spirit of the Rainforest: How Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Curiosity Reconnects Us to the Natural World” (right). Photo by Ana Elisa Sotelo for National Geographic and Octopus Publishing Group respectively.

Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, Ph.D., is a Peruvian-American Chemical Biologist, conservation leader and National Geographic Society Explorer. She blends Western scientific research with Indigenous wisdom to advocate for ethical collaboration and respect for native communities. A main focus of her work is protecting wild pollinators such as the stingless bee — key pollinators of the Amazon Rainforest. Her work has been impactful in creating national and local conservation laws, which have increased the value of native honey by over 500%!

Rosa is the Founder and Executive Director of Amazon Research Internacional, whose mission is to develop innovative conservation solutions that honor the Amazon’s biocultural heritage. A main tenant of their work is to co-create with the people who live there and carve sustainable economic opportunities, especially for women and youth.

Her book, “The Spirit of the Rainforest: How Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Curiosity Reconnects Us to the Natural World” takes us where it all began for her — the heart of the Amazon. A vivid storyteller, this piece is part scientific exploration and part personal journey, showing how science and ancestral knowledge can work hand-in-hand.

The #VSGetsLit April Book Club Giveaway

We will giveaway one free copy of Dr. Vásquez Espinoza’s book every week in April. Entering the giveaway will be super simple such as giving a like, comment, and/or tag a friend. Each week the giveaway changes, so stay tuned to our social media for details * In addition to completing the activity for each specific week, don’t forget to hit that follow button! All giveaways close at midnight ET on Friday April 10, 17, 24, and May 1 and are currently open to U.S. residents only (other fine print is at the bottom). Only one winner will be selected randomly each week and announced on our social media that Sunday. We will then reach out directly to coordinate delivery to that week’s winner and mail the books at the end of the month. At the end of each week, we’ll also share some of our favorite posts to spread the love. Good luck and happy reading!

[embed]YouTube short featuring Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza and her work protecting Indigenous knowledge.

That’s all for now folks! Now that you know how it all works, come celebrate Earth Month with us — join in the awe, the wonder, and the deep appreciation as we spotlight the inspiring Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza. Let’s honor the beauty of our planet through her work while revelling in the chance to win free copies of her book. You can also purchase her book yourself, or connect with us if you want to help us giveaway more books through VanguardSTEM.

The fine print for our giveaways:

In addition to completing the activity for each specific week, you must be following @VanguardSTEM and like that week’s giveaway post for your entry to count. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. You can only be eligible to win once per month. We can only send you your copy if you respond to our messages. Void where prohibited, or whatever.

This article was originally published on April 7, 2026 on VanguardSTEM.com as part of our #VSGetsLit series.

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