The global pledge to protect 30 % of Earth ' s lands and waters by 2030 is approaching its deadline. We look to the final years with optimism and momentum.
30x30 places Rainforest Trust’ s singular mission at the center of global conservation strategies. For nearly 40 years, we have focused on the creation of protected and conserved areas to preserve habitats most critical for species and the planet. We continue to leverage this legacy to move quickly toward 30x30 goals while building coalitions that ensure lasting impact.
From isolated hotspots of endemic biodiversity to expansive stretches of dense forest, every Rainforest Trust project brings us closer to the 30x30 goal. Read on for the milestones your support helped us achieve this year.
Strategic Land Purchase in South Africa Acres safeguarded: 60,000
The new Western Soutpansberg Nature Reserve connects conservation areas across forests, wetlands, and savannas in the heart of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere in South Africa. This 60,000-acre reserve also protects habitat for Leopards, Cheetahs, and Endangered African Wild Dogs. The rich biodiversity here includes many species that have not yet been formally described, including a recently identified, endemic dwarf chameleon.
Multi-layered Wetland Preservation in Brazil Acres safeguarded: 27,975
To protect a critical corridor in the Pantanal, the world’ s largest tropical wetland, we partnered with Onçafari and the environmental agency of Mato Grosso do Sul, the Brazilian state where the largest portion of the Pantanal is located. Our collaborative strategy is helping to create a tapestry of private reserves and state-protected lands that safeguard this vast wetland. This year, we added 28,000 acres of protection toward creation of the Taquari Wetlands State Park, which will be a safe haven for an astounding array of wildlife, including Jaguars, Giant Otters, and millions of migrating birds.
Project landscape in the Yande Yari Indigenous Protected Area
Indigenous-led Protection in Bolivia Acres safeguarded: 1,389,946
Indigenous Peoples have held the line against deforestation for decades in the Gran Chaco, South America’ s largest dry tropical forest. Our local partner, Fundación Natura Bolivia, supported the Charagua lyambae sovereign Indigenous nation in securing ownership and management rights over their ancestral lands to create the 1,389,946- acre Yande Yari Indigenous Protected Area. This fortifies the last intact forest corridor in the southern tropical Andes, connecting national and Indigenous protected areas across more than 13 million acres.
Community-led Conservation in Indonesia Acres safeguarded: 252,678 fundación natura bolivia
Degradation has fragmented the dense rainforest of Peling Island, yet the remaining landscape still boasts astounding biodiversity found only in this unique ecoregion. The Critically Endangered Banggai Crow and Endangered Peleng Tarsier rely on this rainforest, as do seven other vulnerable bird species. With our local partner, Burung Indonesia, we supported the creation of community forests across 252,678 acres in the key biodiversity areas of Kokolomboi and Bajomoute Pondi-Pondi. These designations will protect the rainforest while strengthening local sustainable livelihoods.
Looking Toward 2030
We are actively working with key governments and partners to help develop and implement national strategies with ambitious goals to create protected and conserved areas. These include( among others) Suriname and Panama, where new leaders are willing to take dynamic action; and Madagascar, where a recent change in government has opened a new window of opportunity for conservation.
The Pantanal, Brazil
In Ecuador, we launched a groundbreaking coalition that will activate local expertise to preserve the extraordinary Quito-Cayapas Conservation Landscape in the Chocó rainforest. With collaborative strategies, we are creating a new model of locally led, integrated, and sustainable landscape conservation.