Fintan Damer’s Post

Banished from the lands his people have roamed for generations, Songoyo, like many Maasai, has had to surrender his livestock—and a traditional way of life: https://lnkd.in/edxbHrZ7 The world’s most powerful people and interests are aligned against a pastoral people who have lived in northern Tanzania for 400 years, Stephanie McCrummen reports. At stake: the Serengeti’s grassy plains, acacia woodlands, rivers, lakes, snowcapped mountains, salt flats, forests, and wildlife. Global leaders want what they consider undeveloped land for conservation goals. Corporations want undisturbed forests to offset pollution. Western conservation groups exert great influence. And a booming safari industry sells an old, destructive myth of the Serengeti as a primordial wilderness—with the Maasai as cultural relics obstructing a perfect view. “The reality is that the Maasai have been stewards, integral to creating that very ecosystem,” McCrummen writes. “The same can be said of Indigenous groups around the world, to whom conservation often feels like a land grab. In the past two decades, more than a quarter million Indigenous people have been evicted to make way for ecotourism, carbon-offset schemes, and other activities that fall under the banner of conservation. That figure is expected to soar.” Current pressures are unlike any the Maasai have experienced, including a government plan to resettle 100,000 people to “modern houses” elsewhere in the country. In another area bordering Serengeti National Park, government security forces have annexed 580 square miles of prime grazing land to create an exclusive game reserve for the Dubai royal family—calling it necessary for conservation. Maasai compounds were burned; rangers seized cattle by the tens of thousands. “And more was coming,” McCrummen writes at the link in our bio. New maps indicated that further tracts—including a sacred site that the Maasai call the Mountain of God—could soon be off-limits. “This is 80 percent of our land,” a Maasai elder told her. “This will finish us.” For our May cover story, McCrummen reports on how one Maasai man lost everything—and what happened after he made a last-ditch attempt at survival. Read more: https://lnkd.in/edxbHrZ7 📸: Nichole Sobecki

We've learned how conservation preserves Bend, Oregon's sense of place, and traditional communities in coastal Brazil hope to do the same. The residents' association in the Cassurubá Extractive Reserve is working to bring community tourism to the mangrove ecosystems to ensure the survival of both his community and the reserve, which depends on people remaining there and continuing their traditional livelihoods. Not only would tourism give families a reason to stay, but it would also attract much needed services and ensure that traditional communities can maintain control over their territory and preserve the environments they depend on. https://lnkd.in/dQHD-die

☝️ 'Project Report More than 130,000 trees have been planted on private land in #Alberta to restore an area that was at risk of being converted into agricultural land. This project aims to recreate the historical forest, providing vital habitat for wildlife like songbirds, raptors, moose, elk, and bears. As the forest grows, it will support nesting, foraging, and hunting activities crucial for local biodiversity. Restoring this forest brings benefits beyond #wildlife habitat—it improves water quality, enhances food security, and offers new opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. By planting trees near watercourses, we're safeguarding their long-term health for both residents and wildlife. The trees also stabilize soil, manage rainfall, and contribute to climate stability by sequestering carbon. Local ranchers will enjoy improved ecosystem services on their land, while the new forest boosts the economy through activities like hunting and ecotourism. This initiative also created jobs for eight seasonal tree planters, supporting our community and Canada's reforestation efforts. If you want to contribute to impactful projects like this, plant trees for impact today! 🌱 https://lnkd.in/eQCWY7TJ'

Sustainable development practices in Kenya, such as responsible land management and eco-friendly tourism, contribute to the preservation of wildlife habitats. #wildlifelaw #wildlifeconservation #law #sustainabledevelopment https://lnkd.in/dG97u4ck

Eco-Tourism and Conservation in Florida: What to Do Before Your Cruise

The Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve is a 14,800-acre private conservation reserve just east of Torres del Paine National Park in the heart of Patagonia and National Geographic’s fifth most beautiful place in the world. The park encompasses 448,284 acres of pristine natural glaciers, native forests, lakes, and rivers including the geological natural wonder known as Torres del Paine, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The Reserve aims to protect remote territories preserved through a sustainable management model to safeguard rare landscapes, cultures, and ecosystems for perpetuity while also being able to enjoy the services and amenities of a world-class resort that Explora is known for. Within its borders, there are more than 20 species of mammals, 140 species of birds, and 3 ecosystems, with over 32% of the property being timberland. The Nature Conservancy has teamed up with Explora to lead and provide the conservation plan to adequately protect and improve the ecosystems within the Reserve. By investing in the Reserve, land owners can volunteer, participate in research initiatives, and give back to the land in ways unlike any other. Learn more about Explora here https://lnkd.in/geRnVUzX . . . . . #argentina #conservation #terresdelpaine #explora #investment

#SpainBisonReintroduction #EcosystemRestoration #WildlifeConservation #NatureRewilding #SustainableDevelopment #EnvironmentalPreservation #GreenFuture #NatureEngineers #BisonPower #CollaborativeConservation ## Spain's Innovative Plan to Reintroduce Bison for Ecosystem Restoration 🐃 In a bold move to revitalize its natural landscapes, Spain has unveiled an ambitious plan to reintroduce European bison (also known as wisent) to several regions across the country. This innovative initiative aims to harness the power of these majestic creatures to help restore the delicate balance of the ecosystem. ### Restoring the Balance 🌿 The reintroduction of bison is expected to have a profound impact on the Spanish countryside. As ecosystem engineers, these large herbivores play a crucial role in shaping the landscape by grazing on vegetation, dispersing seeds, and creating habitats for other species. By reintroducing bison, Spain hopes to revive the once-thriving grasslands and forests, providing a haven for a diverse array of flora and fauna. ### A Collaborative Effort 🤝 The Spanish government has partnered with conservation organizations and local communities to ensure the success of this ambitious project. Together, they are working to carefully select suitable habitats, monitor the bison's progress, and engage the public in the rewilding process. This collaborative approach not only ensures the well-being of the bison but also fosters a sense of ownership and stewardship among the local population. ### A Brighter Future for Spain's Wilderness 🌳 As the bison herds begin to roam the Spanish countryside once again, the country is poised to witness a remarkable transformation. This initiative not only benefits the ecosystem but also serves as a symbol of Spain's commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development. By embracing the power of nature, Spain is paving the way for a future where wildlife and human communities can coexist in harmony. So, let's raise a glass (or a carrot!) to Spain's innovative plan to reintroduce bison and restore the natural balance of its stunning landscapes. 🥤 This is a truly inspiring example of how we can work together to create a greener, more vibrant world for all.

The Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance (KMTT), meaning “Collective Action for our Nature”, is an alliance of 15 iwi and government partners restoring a monumental 3.5 million hectares of land and sea at the top of the South Island of Aotearoa* New Zealand. The KMTT Alliance is based on the philosophy of kaitiakitanga: a unique cultural system founded on the belief that people are guardians of nature and have a responsibility to protect and maintain the lands, rivers, and coastlines for future generations. Working to collectively restore wetlands, promote nature connection, control pest plants, animals and insects, plant native species, and conduct restoration activities, the KMTT alliance work to connect and grow multiple conservation projects. Here are just 3 of the key projects taking place across the 3.5 million hectare initiative: 1. Wakapuaka / Whangamao Restoration Project: an initiative restoring sites of high ecological and cultural value including wetlands, lowland and coastal forests. 2. Pest Free Onetahua: a project restoring the taonga habitat of Onetahua / Farewell Spit to that native birds, plants and other wildlife can thrive. 3. Tasman Wetlands and Fish Passage Restoration Project: an initiative making the Tasman waterways passable for native fish so they can complete their lifecycles. At Commonland, we support The Nature Conservancy in Aotearoa New Zealand in their efforts to further restoration with partners like the KMTT Alliance. The KMTT Alliance shows us that if we come together to look after nature, it can look after us too. Read about all the projects and learn about their impact in the KMTT Alliance 2023 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/dcf6W68t 📷 A helicopter view over Blue Lake, Lake Rotomairewhenua by Reid Helicopters. #Aotearoa #Biodiversity #LandscapeRestoration

Worthing councils, dedicated to a pioneering project: The rewilding of rivers, land and seascape centred along a 100-mile stretch of coastline in Sussex. The project, awarded £100,000 in March by Rewilding Britain, covers an area encompassing 11 councils and a million people. It could see oyster beds, salt marshes and kelp reintroduced to help combat the climate crisis and encourage wildlife. The scheme, the first of its kind, also encompasses the River Adur, which flows 20 miles through the rolling South Downs national park to the sea, close to Shoreham. It aims to crowdfund a further £1m, for additional projects, this month. Three years ago, amid concern over decline in fish catches, a bylaw was passed by the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) to ban nearshore trawling from 300 sq km of Sussex seabed, to protect fish and marine habitats and support sustainable inshore fisheries. Sussex Underwater community group, have begun filming the signs of recovery, including new mussel beds that are binding the seabed back together. The Sussex Bay project aims to raise awareness of recovering land, sea and river ecosystems and the benefits they can bring to communities. Annual dolphins and porpoise sightings are also up in Sussex, from a reported 31 in 2018 and 2019, to 56 and 57 in 2022 and 2023, after the trawling ban. The nature corridor will eventually link up with the Knepp estate, West Sussex, home to the first white stork born in the wild in Britain for 600 years, and one of the UK’s best-known rewilding projects. #environment #sustainability #nature #rewilding #marinelife #habitat #education #climatechange https://lnkd.in/enrTCdJh

https://lnkd.in/gpSZaZJG WWF: Forest landscape restoration gaining momentum in Africa