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ISSUE No. 64 WINTER 2019 Saving Saving since 1989 worldlandtrust.org

Inside this issue: • Scorched Earth to Forest Haven - update on Appeal • Buy an Acre for £100 in Mexico and Zambia • Good news for Armenia’s threatened leopards • Sir David Attenborough answers the question “What can I do?” 2

Big Match Fortnight success 3-17 October 2019 RAISED £523,000 to restore forests in Vietnam

TARGET: £575,000 PLANTING - a CURRENT TOTAL: £523,000 solution to the climate crisis Natural climate solutions have been high LEFT TO RAISE: £52,000 on the agenda this year and tree planting KEY SPECIES: is up there at the forefront of ways to take positive climate action. WLT has funded RED SHANKED DOUC our overseas conservation partners to more than two million native PYGMY SLOW across the world to date. These trees will become the forests of the future, adding protected in and around WLT- funded reserves. SUNDA PANGOLIN Every tree helps ASIAN BLACK BEAR Every sapling you’re funding as part of this project will begin to lock away carbon EDWARD’S PHEASANT dioxide as it grows – this is a lifetime of BOURRET’S BOX TURTLE conservation action, from the moment it is planted. As the trees grow they will help stabilise soil to recreate the original forest This year’s Big Match Fortnight was a feeding fl oor. And as the canopy is restored huge success and so far we have on a giant stick insect Vietnam’s displaced and threatened raised more than 90 per cent of the species can take up a forever home. There One of the to succumb to total needed to accomplish this are major benefi ts for people too who will habitat loss in Vietnam is the Pygmy Slow project. Thank you to everyone who be assured cleaner water and fresh air. Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus). Its forest supported the appeal so generously. home was targeted through large-scale Thank you also to supporters of the On track to create one burning, clearing and defoliation during Match Fund who ensured that all and after the Vietnam war, and today of the largest areas of donations were matched pound for extensive for traditional pound during the two weeks. Annamite in medicines, food and collection for the Vietnam pet trade continues to threaten their survival. They are listed on Appendix II of To restore Vietnam’s lost forests, a mix of What your donation means the Convention on International Trade in pioneer and slow-growing hardwood tree Funds raised are already enabling our of Wild Fauna and species will be used. Of the 12 species partner, Viet Nature, to begin clearing the Flora (CITES) and classed as Vulnerable selected, 11 are native to Bac Huong Hoa land of the invasive African grass that on IUCN’s Red List. WLT’s latest appeal Nature Reserve and Quang Tri Province. spread across the war-ravaged hillsides, will help restore their forest home and Only is not native to the following the denuding of Vietnam’s keep them safe. reserve, though it is native to Vietnam, tropical forests. and is now widely grown in Quang Tri Some things you may not Province for its oil and wood. It has been Phase One of the project will see 120,000 know about slow selected as a supporting species for this trees being planted across 74 acres in project because it is easy to grow. Huong Lap and 172 acres in Huong Linh • They do not leap or jump. as a fi rst step towards Viet Nature’s aim of • They have a toxic bite which comes restoring 3,500 acres of land destroyed by from licking a toxic from glands on the inside of its elbows. Help us reach our target by Agent Orange in Bac Huong Hoa Nature the end of the year Reserve. • The teeth in the lower jaw form a comb-like structure called a There’s still time to help Vietnam’s is responsible for 20 per cent that is used for scraping forest creatures fi nd a new home. of Earth’s greenhouse gases but resin from tree bark, edible gum being Donate by post (donation form reforestation can turn that around by one of their favourite foods. enclosed), by phone (01986 874422) stabilising rising temperatures and helping All in all an extraordinary that or online combat climate change. You can play a we must save at all costs. worldlandtrust.org crucial role in establishing these forests. 3

SCORCHED EARTH TO FOREST HAVEN RESTORING VIETNAM’S TROPICAL FORESTS

Some of the species being planted include: The new tree restoration areas Erythrophleum fordii, a valuable are marked in red squares on the Rosewood species also known as adjacent map. iron-wood, is indigenous to the tropical Khe Nuoc Trong Forest Reserve covers zones of Vietnam, , and South . 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of The natural forests have been heavily Annamite Lowland Forest and is part fragmented, and it is now listed as of a larger 204,000 acres (82,700 Endangered in the IUCN Red List. Its range hectares) area which extends into the in Vietnam extends from the border with neighbouring Quang Tri Province. China to Quang Nam-Da Nang Province. Because of demand for this valuable As well as its importance for timber, plantations were established in the biodiversity, the forest has been 1950s to increase supplies but demands designated as a Watershed Protection still exceed what can be sustainably Forest and provides clean water to harvested. local communities. Liquidambar formosana, commonly known as Chinese Sweet Gun or Location of reforestation areas Formosan Gum is a valuable tropical Khe Nuoc Trong Forest Reserve forest tree native to China, Laos and Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve Vietnam. It has a wide distribution and occurs in several protected areas. While Community land not facing major threat it is vulnerable to general deforestation in Vietnam. The tree for a wide range of wildlife. As the trees grow they will be quickly health properties attributed to this tree are found by wildlife such as -tailed many fold - the and roots are used Bischofi a javanica, also known as in various cancer treatments and the bark Bishopwood, is native to Asia and Macaques, civets and mouse who is used in the treatment of skin diseases. Oceania. Growing up to 35 metres will come to feed on the fruit and seeds. The fruits also have medicinal properties tall, it provides timber for construction Tree planting carried out by WLT and our being used for arthritis and lumbago. The and handicrafts. It is also harvested partners is a win-win situation. Trees act as resin from the trunk and stems is used to for charcoal and fuelwood. Also, like carbon sinks to combat climate change, promote blood circulation and pain relief. Liquidambar formosana, parts of the plant local communities are actively involved Needless to say this is an important food have medicinal properties. and forest cover is restored.

Water Dragon at home in Vietnam

The Indochinese Water Dragon and amphibians due to its karst (Physignathus cocincinus) occurs in (limestone) landscape. Khe Nuoc Trong Forest Reserve. This Three species new to the area were large lizard can grow up to 1 metre discovered: Bow-fi ngered Gecko (3.3 feet) and live up to 15 years. Their (Cyrtodactylus pseudoquadrivirgatus), stunning colouration ranges across all Square-headed Cat Snake (Boiga shades of green and turquoise to purple, kraepelini) and Quasipaa verrucospinosa, and some individuals have an orange a species of spiny frog, classifi ed as Near stomach. They use their long tail, which Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The can be more than two-thirds of the body study recorded 31 species of reptiles and length, as a weapon and for balance as 26 species of amphibians, 10 of which they swim. are found on the IUCN Red List. A study, carried out by Viet Nature, with funds provided by WLT, took place The photograph on the left was taken by in three areas of the forest, located in conservationists, author and broadcaster, Quang Binh province. This region is Mark Carwardine, who is a WLT Council known for its high diversity of reptiles member. worldlandtrust.org 4

Action in WLT-funded reserves News from our partners Keepers of the Wild exchange

Keepers of the Wild are the eyes, ears and voice of the reserves Ranger, Angie Rodriguez, from WLT’s Honduran partner, AESMO was invited, along with colleagues, to carry out an internship with FUNDAECO staff in Guatemala. The photograph shows her with Nicolas Alonzo Ventura (left) and Victoriano Lopez, park rangers provided by the municipality of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. During the internship they shared valuable experiences at fi eld and offi ce level. AESMO and FUNDAECO have a co-operative relationship with an aim of strengthening security of biodiversity and water conservation being carried out in three UNESCO biosphere reserves in Honduras and Guatemala.

HONDURAS – AESMO has been a WLT GUATEMALA – FUNDAECO has been a WLT also works with FUNDAECO on partner since 2007. WLT has funded land partner of WLT since 2008. WLT raised several other land purchase and Carbon purchase to better protect areas in and funds through BIG MATCH FORTNIGHT in Balanced projects, and also with around Güisayote and Volcán Pacayita 2017 for the Treasure Chest Appeal to community projects including Women Biological Reserves. protect the Santa Cruz mountain range. for Biodiversity.

BUY AN ACRE - £100 to save One Acre in Mexico and Zambia Saving the Jaguars of More land for Black Sonora , Lions and Elephants in Zambia Extending Jaguar protection: Jaguar del Norte Reserve in Mexico. In Zambia, WLT partners with Kasanka Habitat loss, hunting and confl icts with Trust which exists to protect Kasanka livestock have all resulted in the decline of National Park, one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. Since its foundation the Jaguar populations, and nowhere is this Kasanka Trust has also become responsible more apparent than in the US-Mexico for the management of Lavushi Manda borderlands where, within the last 100 National Park and Shoebill Island Camp in years, the Jaguar has been virtually the Bangweulu Wetlands. eliminated. Through the Buy an Acre programme, WLT Buy an Acre Helping our partner, Naturalia, to is helping Kasanka Trust to purchase an Save one acre for £100 (half an purchase 3,953 acres (1,600 hectares) additional 941 acres (381 hectares) to acre for £50 or quarter of an will extend the Jaguar del Norte Reserve. expand the buffer zone for Kasanka acre for £25) in Mexico and This wilderness of deep canyons, upland National Park and Bangweulu Wetlands. As Zambia. peaks and mountain valleys, form one of well as the Black Lechwe, wildlife that will You can also make your donation the largest unbroken expanses of wildlife benefi t from this added protection include, using the form enclosed, or habitat in northern Mexico. It safeguards , Roan and , make a telephone donation endangered species including Ocelot, , , , Common (WLT offi ce: 01986 874422). Neotropical Otter and Military Macaw. and Yellow Baboon. African You can also donate online: It is also visited by 70 species of Elephant and Lion also occur as well as migratory birds. some 500 species of birds. worldlandtrust.org 5

Update from the Caucasus

Foundation for the Wildlife Refuge Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets

In early November John Burton, founder of WLT and now Chief Ambassador, visited Armenia, and WLT’s local partner, FPWC. He was joined by Andrew von Preussen (a former WLT Trustee) and his award- winning architect daughter, Tanya von Preussen, who had offered support for conservation in Armenia.

John reports: As always we were welcomed in traditional Armenian ways - the food at this time of year is amazing, with all the fresh and dried fruits and nuts and The Eurasian Lynx was once relatively common in all of Europe but, by the berries as well as cheeses and breads, for middle of the 19th century, it had disappeared from most countries in Central which the area is famed. The landscape and Western Europe and is now rare across its range. This lynx was captured may have lacked the lush greenness, and on trail camera in the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge. spectacular array of fl owering of my earlier visits, but the mountains with their numerous gorges were as spectacular as Much of the visit (as is normally the case) Protecting ‘Leopard Gorge’ ever. was taken up with meetings with local offi cials, but in Armenia several of the Armenian ranger, Boris Vanyan, is one of Bezoar , Syrian village mayors have become so enthused the Keepers of the Wild funded through with the conservation activities that have WLT by The Body Shop. He patrols part Brown Bear been introduced into their communities of the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge in Ararat On the very fi rst day we had wonderful by FPWC that we were treated as family. region which is known locally as Leopard views of a fl ock of around 30 Bezoar To me, one of the most impressive aspects Canyon. It is an amazing, rugged Goats, and came across a very fresh of what WLT funding has achieved in landscape described in Armenia literature, footprint of a bear. The ranger estimated Armenia, is not simply the protection of notably writings by William Saroyan. that this was a young bear of two years the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge, but the Boris grew up in a nearby village and his old or so. Other interesting wildlife fact that whole communities are now forefathers surely hunted leopard here. included close up views of Lammergeier involved and seeing benefi ts. FPWC But today Boris simply captures leopards and the arrival of a brief ‘invasion’ of supports communities in marketing locally on trail camera, and during 2019 he has Black-throated Thrushes - a rare sight in gathered dried fruits, nuts, honey and recorded 10 sightings. Videos, photos, that part of the world. herbs, as well as ecotourism. tracks – all proving the safe existence of the animal on its historic land. The Our three-legged leopard is alive and well and travelling leopard still lives in his canyon, just like Boris, alert to track his movements and hundreds of kilometres! keep him safe from hunters. It was at our last dinner that I was told that one of the fi rst Caucasian Leopards some very exciting news. Supporters in to be fi lmed was missing part of a back Rangers like Boris in Armenia the early days of this project will recall leg. This injury was thought to be the ensure rare and threatened species result of a landmine on the border with are protected from all the many Azerbaijan. The leopard was later threats they face. All the rangers captured on trail camera 150 kms away working with WLT’s overseas some 18 months later. But now I was told partners are determined and that it had been camera trapped once dedicated. A vital part of their work again but this time in Iran. This is a truly is to engage local communities remarkable feat (on only three feet!) which has very successfully been Photographs showed that it was healthy achieved in Armenia. and perfectly able to fend for itself. worldlandtrust.org/ What lovely news. appeals/keepers-of-the-wild worldlandtrust.org 6

Report from Peru by WLT CEO, Jonathan Barnard

Latin American and Caribbean Congress on Protected Areas (CAPLAC 3) 14-17 October 2019 - Lima, Peru

My fi rst two months at WLT have been International Union for Conservation of WLT partner organisations represented at packed and the more I learn the more I Nature (IUCN) and its World Commission the congress were: am impressed by what our partners are on Protected Areas (WCPA) and this was • AESMO (Honduras) able to achieve. With a 30 year history the third of its meetings. • Fundación Biodiversa Colombia and a portfolio of dozens of urgent The aim of the congress is to promote best • Fundación Biodiversidad Argentina funding commitments, opportunities and management of protected areas. The • Fundación Guanacas Bosques de challenges there is always plenty to theme at this congress was “Solutions for learn. But I’m pleased to say I am well-being and sustainable niebla (Colombia) enjoying every minute of it. development.” And, to be expected, much • Fundación Natura Bolivia of the discussion related to the climate crisis When leading the day-to-day running of a • FUNDAECO (Guatemala) and how its effects can be mitigated by charity I am only too aware that sometimes • Guyra Paraguay protected areas. it can be hard to step back and assess • Nativa Bolivia where you are. Two months into being The forum gives opportunities for sharing • Naturalesa y Cultura Ecuador CEO was perfect timing for me to have an experiences, academic research, and debate • Naturalesa y Cultura Peru opportunity to meet with the leaders and on public policies as well as for government • Provita (Venezuela) senior staff of 12 of WLT’s overseas authorities, multilateral organisations, • IUCN Netherlands conservation NGO partners in person. And leaders of local, traditional and indigenous also to meet other inspiring conservation communities and the private sector to Presentations were lively and inspirational NGOs who could become partners in the present their suggested approaches to put and WLT’s Conservation Programmes future. I was in Peru for a congress which before the Convention on Biological Manager, Charlotte Beckham, gave a very was initiated ten years ago by the Diversity in 2020. well received overview on the shared work being carried out by WLT and IUCN Netherlands with whom we have worked closely for many years. As always, conversations outside the meeting are where some of the most innovative ideas are hatched and this was the case in Peru. I am particularly excited about cross-boundary conservation initiatives and how partners can work together to have greater impact. For instance in the Gran Chaco, South America’s largest tropical dry forest which is one of the most threatened ecoregions worldwide. Our Paraguayan, Bolivian and Argentinian partners got together to discuss further potential for cross country protection to help protect more habitat for the Chaco’s threatened wildlife. Inspirational and motivating indeed.

Find out more Visit the WLT website to fi nd out WLT’s Charlotte Beckham (left) gave a presentation on WLT and IUCN NL Rangersmore about attempt all our to activities.control the Sign fi res conservation work and how supporting relatively small areas can have big atup Caucasus for our eBulletin Reserve, to Armenia. get monthly conservation impact. She is joined here on stage by Liliana Jauregui and Marc updates sent straight to your Hoogeslag (far right) from IUCN Netherlands. Seated between them is Alberto inbox. Yanosky, acclaimed conservationist and former Director of Guyra Paraguay. worldlandtrust.org 7

Climate Crisis: Resolve for a new decade What can I do?

Although we’ve known for a long time He cited making homes more energy that the natural world is at risk, nothing effi cient and reducing meat and dairy brought into focus the crisis quite as consumption as quick actions, but the key sharply as Sir David Attenborough’s message is not about what changes Climate Change – The Facts (BBC One) individuals can make on their own, but shown earlier this year. how by grouping together individuals can force widespread change. Emotions ran high, and a good deal of panic. Some were galvanized into action WLT’s policy of working with its network to ask, ‘right, what can I do?’ while others of conservation partners means that we saw the devastating realities and asked, can punch well above our weight - Our patron Sir David Attenborough ‘what is the point?’ conservation projects across the world are has made a short fi lm especially for WLT supporters. That point is, as Sir David has continued testimony to that. Acres protected. Trees to re-emphasize this year, that together planted. Rangers funded. These steps, The fi lm poses the question on we absolutely can protect the natural while certainly not saving the world are everyone’s lips “What can I, as an world - species, humans, habitats and successfully safeguarding precious habitats individual, do?” He off ers the resources - if we choose to. and all that lives there. individual an opportunity to make a diff erence by unlocking a generation WLT will always strive to identify “We’re running out of change makers. Sir David describes opportunities to combat climate change why he believes that supporting WLT and together we can do so much more. of time but there’s in its mission to save land to save Whether you choose to Carbon Balance species is an important means by still hope” your unavoidable carbon emissions, save which individual action can achieve “I truly believe”, said Sir David, “that acres, fund rangers or plant trees, it‘s a an impact. Watch the short fi lm on together we can bring about the joint effort that really can and does make World Land Trust’s YouTube channel. transformative change that is needed. a difference. Let us help your company Your businesss or company can take positive action and off set its unavoidable carbon emissions through WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme. • Organisations can voluntarily off set their emissions through protection and restoration of threatened habitats • By protecting habitats that are under imminent threat of destruction, we prevent the

release of the CO2 stored within them into the atmosphere. • Where habitats are already degraded we allow them to recover and regrow absorbing

CO2 from the atmosphere as they do so, creating an ‘off set’ WLT’s Carbon Balanced projects are off setting CO2 emissions in InRangers order toattempt assess to yourcontrol the fi res Ecuador (tropical forest), Guatemala (Caribbean coast), Paraguay organisation’sat Caucasus Reserve, emissions Armenia. we ask (Atlantic Forest and Chaco Pantanal), Vietnam (Annamite Lowland you to fi ll in a simple audit Forest). For more information please visit submission form, which WLT will then use to estimate your worldlandtrust.org/carbon-balanced footprint. or contact [email protected] worldlandtrust.org worldlandtrust.org

Celebrating an inspirational woman New WLT fi lm: Protecting the Heart of Mexico

Protecting the Heart of Mexico is a Pati Corzo has taken new fi lm celebrating 30 years of on both the Mexican WLT’s conservation success. It Government and made its debut during Climate big corporations to Week in New York, in September. stop the exploitation of the Sierra Gorda The fi lm focuses on the Sierra Gorda region. She has Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and the work the ability to inspire being carried out by WLT Partner, Grupo pretty much everyone Ecologico Sierra Gorda (GESG) which was that crosses her path. pioneered by Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo, With an imposing known affectionately across the world charisma, she is one as ‘Pati’. of the most respected In 1986, Pati founded GESG with a environmental leaders vision that represented a unique model of Latin America who of community ‘conservation economy’. turns words into action. Her goal was to create a sustainable her son, Roberto Pedraza Ruiz, who of the biosphere reserve, conserving way of living for the more than 120,000 heads up GESG’s Land for Conservation 15 different habitats including evergreen people living inside the Sierra Gorda Programme. Through shared hope and and tropical forest, and Biosphere Reserve. She did this, and determination they are helping protect cacti, oak, pine and cloud forests in the still does, particularly by empowering the 946,000 acres (383,000 hectares) Sierra Gorda mountains. the historically-marginalised female population of the region. Watch the fi lm here: The fi lm follows the story of Pati and worldlandtrust.org/heart-of-mexico

Your support is catching. Commit to conservation by becoming a WLT Friend Regular charitable gifting is inspirational, Monthly giving is a and often leads to new donors – your powerful statement friends and family – getting involved too. As hundreds of thousands of people At a time when using our voice is of across the world come together in united utmost importance, by supporting WLT action for change, there’s never been a and our partners you will become part of better time to make your commitment to a global community, inspiring others to the world’s endangered habitats and work together with a shared their wildlife. determination: to bring about change and protect the world around us. WLT Friends donations are used for our most urgent projects. Friends regular WLT publications are printed on recycled contributions are tremendously important Carbon Balanced Paper supplied by because knowing funds have been Denmaur Paper Media, reducing the pledged in advance enables us to plan carbon impact of print communications. further land purchase and conservation Ask your printed to quote on Carbon projects, and also respond quickly with Balanced Paper. emergency funds. carbonbalancedpaper.com worldlandtrust.org/supporting/friends You can download the brochure as a pdf.

Images: Cover & Page 2: Chien Lee/minden/naturepl.com; Page 3: Mark Carwardine/naturepl.com; Page 4: (above) AESMO, (below) Wikimedia Commons; Page 5: (both) FPWC; Page 6: WLT/Jonathan Barnard; Page 7: WLT; Back page: (above) Roberto Pedraza Ruiz, (below) Booted Racket-tail, Andy Morffew.

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