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📅 One year ago today, NEWT and partners published the groundbreaking report, "Wildlands in New England: Past, Present, and Future," which issued a clarion call for accelerated wildlands conservation in the Northeast. The first-of-its-kind analysis quantified the extent of permanently protected landscapes in New England. The results were sobering: Just over 3 percent of the region enjoys the promise of a future free from development and exploitation. NEWT strives every day to increase that number. By conserving wildlands alongside working forests and farms, and supporting sustainable, resilient communities, we can secure a brighter, more hopeful future for humans and wildlife. Read the report here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ecY2vn-y

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has welcomed a Private Members Bill submitted by Peter McReynolds MLA at Stormont. This proposal for a Tree Protection Bill, submitted in July, aims to introduce dedicated legal protection for Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees. As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, one of the Woodland Trust's core objectives is to protect these living legends. The Bill seeks to strengthen the protection provided through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), create a new 'Heritage Tree' designation specifically to protect and support Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees, and safeguard these heritage trees from permitted developments. Our oldest and most significant trees are irreplaceable, yet many face a range of threats. One pressing concern is halting their loss to development and neglect, ensuring they can grow old securely without harm. Additionally, local communities must take drastic action to save important trees in their areas, though most campaigns are unsuccessful. One notable case occurred in Newry in 2022, where a row of 200-year-old oak trees was felled despite significant opposition. Public affairs manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, Paul Armstrong, said: "Our systems for protecting important trees urgently need strengthening. We need improved laws to keep our oldest and most important trees safe. "Given that Northern Ireland is one of the least wooded regions in Europe, with under 9% tree cover, and we’re facing a climate crisis and widespread biodiversity loss, we welcome this Private Members Bill to protect our most valuable and irreplaceable trees and woods. "In recent years, much attention has been given to the importance of planting more trees. However, we also need to protect our existing trees and woodlands, as they store more carbon than newly planted ones and provide vital habitats for nature. Newly planted trees and woods take many years for ecosystems to fully develop. This need for protection is particularly pressing, given that Northern Ireland is ranked 12th-worst out of 240 countries for biodiversity loss. "As well as protecting our oldest and most important trees, we must safeguard our remaining ancient and long-established woodlands from development. These woodlands are havens for wildlife, plant life and fungi, which are unique and crucial for maintaining our dwindling biodiversity. Ancient woods, which cover just 0.04% of Northern Ireland, are an increasingly rare and irreplaceable habitat. The soils and complex ecosystems within these centuries-old woodlands cannot be recreated or replaced. Once they are gone, they are lost forever." Paul concluded: "Our oldest trees and woodlands are extremely scarce and vital for nature and climate so we must protect them. We hope that this new legislation will support people and communities to protect these living legends that they so value." Photo Credit: Michael Cooper/WTML

A significant step forward in tree protection and preservation. The next steps would be wider tree legislation and planning policy reflect a culture of retaining trees as a matter of upmost national importance, when our air quality, our protection from heat, protection of biodiversity (and therefore food systems etc) all depend significantly on maintaining tree coverage, it could not be more urgent.

Chearsley Wetland: A Model of Successful Partnership and Habitat Restoration We are pleased to mark the two-year anniversary of the Chearsley Wetland project, where 17 hectares of floodplain grassland have been expertly transformed into a thriving wetland ecosystem. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together the RTCT, Freshwater Habitats Trust, Environment Agency, and organic farmer Rose Dale. Hilary Phillips, RTCT’s senior project officer, reflects on the project’s success: "Seeing how quickly the land has recovered...gives me hope that we can help to restore nature across our depleted landscapes." Thanks to the collective efforts, the site now supports a diverse range of wildlife, including dragonflies, herons, and the rare great egret. The Chearsley Wetland is a shining example of how effective partnership working can lead to significant environmental gains. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePhgMMsz #WetlandRestoration #Conservation #Partnership #RiverThame #SustainableFarming

A new Indigenous-led conservation area will help safeguard a magical place that is key to Inuvialuit harvesting practices on the land, as well as home to one of the largest caribou herds in Canada. “Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area covers almost 850,000 hectares of land nestled between the Beaufort Sea to the north, Ivvavik and Vuntut national parks to the west and the Northwest Territories to the east,” writes Ainslie Cruickshank in The Narwhal, explaining this new conservation area brings to life a decades-old vision. How will it be funded? 🔎 Through a trust fund composed of a federal contribution of $10 million and an additional $3.5 million from philanthropic foundations. The fund will support the implementation of a management plan and the development of a stewardship and Guardians program. “This funding will allow Inuvialuit in Aklavik to get out on the land, share knowledge between generations, fill our freezers and secure a healthy and vibrant future for our young people and for Aklavik,” said Jordan McLeod, the president and chair of the Aklavik Community Corporation. Indigenous-led conservation is one of the most important ways to achieve biodiversity goals. In the words of Jennifer Smith, chair of the Wildlife Management Advisory Council for the Yukon North Slope, “(I)t wouldn’t be possible without the strong vision of Aklavik leadership.” Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/g3jiJa75 Steven Guilbeault #IPCAs #conservation #conservationfinance #biodiversity #naturebasedsolutions

As custodians of our land, community conservancies play a vital role in preserving the natural wonders that make Zimbabwe unique. These grassroots initiatives empower local communities to take an active role in managing and protecting the ecosystems on their doorstep. By fostering sustainable practices and encouraging biodiversity, community conservancies ensure that our precious landscapes and wildlife habitats are safeguarded for generations to come. Through collaborative efforts, they give a voice to those who know their local environment best - the people who live, work and thrive within it. The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association notes that although community conservancies empower local communities to govern and manage wildlife resources sustainably, their success hinges on clear legal and governance structures. Therefore, supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), we were recently in Binga to kickstart a baseline study to gather critical insights and data that will inform our contributions towards the creation of a robust Legal and Governance Framework for these vital community-led conservation initiatives. In this endeavor, we are working closely with critical stakeholders who include Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), Community Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) Association, Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and community members in an all-inclusive information gathering process. Read more about this initiative here: https://lnkd.in/dB3HncMz Kudakwashe Dube Ignatious Kudakwashe Maeresa Nyaradzo Mutonhori Graham Kudakwashe Ndou Batanai Richard Mutasa Tafadzwa Mvududu Shamiso Mtisi Hazel Tariro Chimbiro

Another big step to protect the #amazon of Bolivia In the northwestern forests of Bolivia in the Pando Department, the municipality of Sena, has enacted a law safeguarding 452,639 hectares (1.1 million acres) of the Amazon rainforest. This area, known as the GranManupare Integrated Management Natural Area, becomes the latest segment of a comprehensive "conservation mosaic" established by local municipalities and Indigenous communities. Over the past 25 years, Bolivian towns like Sena have preserved 10 million contiguous hectares (25 million acres) of the Amazon, contributing significantly to the country's goal of protecting 30% of its land ahead of schedule. The initiative, led by Conservation International, addresses the historical challenge of high deforestation rates in Bolivia, particularly in the Pando Department. The region's success is attributed to the sustainable management of Brazil nut (castaña) trees, a crucial income source for local communities. Conservation International's collaborative approach involves creating protected areas as shields against threats like mining and agricultural encroachment, enabling communities to manage their resources sustainably. The interconnected protected areas form a "conservation mosaic," providing benefits such as shared knowledge, partnerships, and wildlife corridors. Gran Manupare, home to diverse species including the endangered giant otter, adds to the global effort to combat climate change by sequestering significant carbon. Plans to expand this initiative, working with more municipalities to protect an additional 4 million hectares by 2030, will consolidate Pando as a "forest island". The collaboration involves support from various entities, including the French government, the French Fund for the Global Environment, the Embassy of Sweden, and the Andes Amazon Fund. Congratulations on this achievement! # #conservationinternational #amazonia #conservacionamazonica #rainforest https://lnkd.in/d2nqQZfq

25 Projects for 25 Years! Did you know that The Land Trust for Tennessee actively manages certain properties for conservation purposes? The Sugg property is a great example of this. The 852-acre parcel in Maury County, with its rich history and ecological significance, was generously donated to us by the Sugg family, ensuring its protection for future generations. Recently, our team participated in a prescribed burn on the property, marking another chapter in our ongoing commitment to conservation and land management. These carefully planned burns serve several essential purposes: 🌳 Improving Wildlife Habitat: Enhances habitat for both game and non-game species. 🌳Invasive Species Management: Controls the spread and dominance of invasive species. 🌳Encouraging New Growth: Promotes the growth of native vegetation, increasing biodiversity. 🌳Nutrient Recycling: Recycles nutrients back into the soil, enriching it for future growth. 🌳Reducing Competition: Allows native plants to thrive by reducing competition. 🌳Lowering Wildfire Risk: Decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires by reducing the fuel load on the forest floor. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3SgyKOU #25for25 #LandTrustTN #PrescribedBurn #Conservation #Stewardship #Tennessee

Restoration project of wild rice, Manoomin (Zizania palustris) by Great Lakes Tribes.

If you’ve ever visited the Atlantic temperate rainforest, you’ll appreciate why the UK’s commitment to increase the extent of this forest is a pivotal move. In this initiative, the government has laid out a plan to restore precious temperate rainforest and there are many now calling for the government to double or even triple this ambition (see https://lnkd.in/ekhvA_Hw), which I’d very much support; however, there are some important considerations when planning such initiatives: 💷 Funding: Restoration projects require substantial funding for research, implementation, and ongoing management. Significant blended finance will be required from the private sector, donations, government grants and crowdfunding in order to achieve this scale. 🌱Seed Sourcing and Provenance: Using native species adapted to local conditions is vital. Where natural regeneration is not an option (due to absence of seed stock). The UKs strategy must ensure that seed sourcing prioritises native species of local provenance to maintain ecological integrity. 🌳Genetic Diversity: A lesson from large-scale reforestation projects is to take account of genetic diversity to contribute to the resilience of new forest establishment. ☀️Adaptation to Climate Change: Considering future climatic conditions in planting may be important if the rainforest strategy is to be future-proofed. 🗺️Scalability: The challenge of scaling up seedling production, a hurdle faced by many large-scale projects, must be addressed through investment in infrastructure and partnerships, as well as supporting initiatives such as the Thousand Year Trust 🗾Habitat Fragmentation: The existing rainforests are isolated, impeding ecological resilience and species movement. The creation of wildlife corridors and expansion of buffer zones, will connect these habitats and promote genetic diversity. 🦌Invasive Species and Overgrazing: The strategy must tackle invasive plant species and overgrazing, which can severely hinder forest regeneration. Implementing stringent controls and managing grazing effectively are essential steps. Edit: Thank you to Tim Hall FICFor for pointing out that The Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest is leading the way in Scotland (see comments and the ASR website: https://lnkd.in/e6hXy2zZ Ecosulis and CreditNature are currently working with David Bennett on the stunning Drumadoon Estate on the Isle of Arran to secure funding through biodiversity credits, to restore almost 50 hectares of temperate rainforest, alongside wetlands and herbivore grazing and we’ll keep you posted over the course of 2024, as to how things progress! #rainforestrestoration #rainforest #afforestation #biodiversity #habitatrestoration #naturerecovery