National Park Launched with Community Support Dr

VOLUME VIII: 2018

NATIONAL PARK LAUNCHED WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT DR. ERIC VEACH TO CHAIR RAINFOREST TRUST BOARD LETTER FROM THE CEO ......

Dr. Eric Veach, a software engineer, was elected as the new chair of Rainforest Dear Friends, Trust’s board of directors in March, after serving as vice chair since 2016. We purchase and protect threatened tropical habitats to save endangered He and his wife, Luanne Lemmer, have provided key support to a number of wildlife through local partnerships and community engagement. “You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that Rainforest Trust projects since 2008. Last year, they received the rare honor seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard of having two new species of moths named for them: Chlorosema lemmerae Senior Staff the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone and Rosema veachi. Dr. Paul Salaman at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all Chief Executive Officer you can give.” “The key to saving the world’s threatened species is to save their habitats,” Dr. Robert Ridgely President Dr. Veach said. “This is truly one of the most urgent priorities in conservation, Rainforest Trust Board Member Dr. E.O. Wilson made considering the tremendous rate at which rainforest is being lost every year. Dr. George E. Wallace the above statement many years before he joined our Chief Conservation Officer I am very proud of the incredible work that Rainforest Trust has done so far, board, but his sentiment resonates powerfully within me and I am looking forward to helping us achieve even more.” Leslie VanSant and our organization today. Two years ago, we upped our Chief Philanthropy Officer commitment to save species, care for communities and Dr. Veach takes over leadership of the board from John Mitchell, an adjunct Marc Ford protect our planet by setting a bold goal to save 50 million Chief Outreach Officer scientist at the New York Botanical Garden and research associate at acres by 2020. But we have not acted alone. You have been the Smithsonian Institution-National Patricia Munoz-Chernitsky with us every step of the way, helping us save more than 18 Chief Financial Officer Museum of Natural History. He helped million acres, and we thank you for that! guide Rainforest Trust through a recent Mark Gruin Director of Partnerships period of unprecedented growth, and As our impact grows, so does yours. Already this year, the he will remain active with the board in Board of Directors Rainforest Trust board, under direction of newly installed his new role as chair emeritus. Dr. Eric Veach, Chair Chair Dr. Eric Veach, has approved 23 new projects across Edith McBean, Vice Chair the tropics. In total, we are working on protecting 30 million “Eric has been an important supporter Sally Davidson, Treasurer new acres that, when added to our 18 million already saved, of the organization for 10 years, and Dr. Wayt Thomas, Secretary has us pushing up against our 2020 goal. we are delighted with the passion and Dr. E.O. Wilson, Member commitment he brings to this new Geoffrey Chen,Member Take our work in Ecuador, for example. Over the last 30 years, role,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Robert Giles,Member Rainforest Trust has protected a total of 320,410 acres in this Salaman. “I also want to highlight the Eric Goode, Member biodiverse and beautiful country. If you lined up all of those incredible job John Mitchell did during Patricia Koval, Member acres end to end, it would be equal to driving from New York his 17 years leading our board.” Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, Member to Los Angeles more than four times! We are proud of our Kim Stewart,Member recent work with Fundación Jocotoco in Ecuador to expand Jeffrey Zack,Member three reserves (highlighted on page 5). WAYS TO GIVE facebook.com/RainforestTrust John D. Mitchell, Chair Emeritus Online: (Credit Card or PayPal) Our impact is felt beyond the boundaries of any individual RainforestTrust.org Advisory Council reserve or country. Rainforest Trust’s tried and true twitter.com/RainforestTrust conservation model — protecting habitat — is being Phone: Dr. Bruce Beehler 1 (800) 456-4930 Dr. Gwen Brewer recognized more and more as the most cost-effective way Callie Broaddus to have an immediate, positive impact on our climate (learn Mail: youtube.com/RainforestTrust Rainforest Trust Dr. Thomas Brooks more on page 12). 7078 Airlie Road, Warrenton, VA 20187 Brett Byers instagram.com/RainforestTrust Dr. Nigel Collar As Dr. Wilson says: “Persist! The world needs all you can EFT: Contact us to learn more, John Gwynne give.” At Rainforest Trust, we aim high and are thankful to [email protected] Ambassador Heather Hodges be working with our local partners to achieve our ambitious Alan Martin goals. Thanks to new partnerships with corporations like Stock Donations: Contact us to transfer stocks, bonds or mutual Dr. Russell Mittermeier Sambazon and Legendary: Game of Heroes (stories found funds, [email protected] Roger Pasquier on page 21 & 22), we are connecting with more people who Proudly printed on 100% recycled paper made Linda Perry-Lube believe in saving the rainforest. Crowdrise Campaign: with renewable energy. Start your own fundraising campaign for Sir Ghillean Prance Rainforest Trust and invite friends and family Help us recycle this newsletter even further by Scott Rasmussen I hope you enjoy this first Rainforest Trust newsletter of to support your cause. sharing it with family and friends. Dr. Peter Raven 2018. Please share it with a friend and let them know why PHOTO CREDITS our work inspires you. Planned Giving: Dr. Simon Stuart Create a conservation legacy by including Front: Traditional Dance, YK-RASI Dr. John Terborgh Rainforest Trust in your planned giving. Dr. David Wilcove For the rainforests, Visit RainforestTrust.org/PlannedGiving Back: Pygmy Elephants, Ch'ien C. Lee or contact us today. Roland Wirth RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST Rainforest Trust Tax ID: 13-3500609 TRUST RAINFOREST

TOP: TOP: RIGHT: Dr. Paul Salaman

1 2 PERU “The article reports that Loreto and Ucayali are the of the Amazon’s last true wildernesses. The region regions with the highest carbon loss, and Sierra is home to a biological community rich in rare and del Divisor is effectively safeguarding more than threatened species, including 38 mammals such 3 million acres shared by these two regions,” said as Jaguars, South American Tapirs and Red Uakari Dani Enrique Rivera Gonzalez, Project Director of Monkeys. There are also believed to be 3,500 plant CEDIA. species, 300 fish species, 365 bird species and 109 amphibian species. Climbing from an immense swath of rainforest, the Sierra del Divisor Mountain Range stretches Through the generous support of our friends around the more than 600 miles along the Peru-Brazil border world and the SAVES Challenge, this project is a success. in the heart of the Amazon Basin. Complete with A special thank you to Leslie H. Danoff and Lawrence S. plunging waterfalls, dormant volcanic cones, wild Robbins, GreaterGood.org, Luanne Lemmer and Dr. Eric rivers, pristine forests and uncontacted tribes, Veach, the late Philip May and Leslie Santos and Brett this largely unknown and unexplored range is one Byers for their leadership gifts. For indigenous communities,

land is a source of livelihood Cartagena and central to their economic, by Rainfores social and cultural rights.” Existing Pro CEDIA0 100 A

EXPANDING PROTECTION, SECURING CARBON IN PERU’S AMAZON RAINFOREST V E N E ...... Sierra del Divisor, Peru

Rainforest Trust and its local partner Center for It is estimated that there are over 500 indigenous the Development of an Indigenous Amazon communities in the Peruvian Amazon that are still (CEDIA) once again expanded protection around in need of proper land titles. However, this four- Sierra del Divisor National Park in Peru with an year project with CEDIA, which is expected to be additional 42,867 acres in February 2018. completed next year, will provide land titles to all communities in the western part of Sierra del These new acres were added by helping three Divisor and in the Tapiche and Blanco River Basin campesino communities (Monte de los Olivos, north of the park. Canelos and Alto Perillos) obtain proper land titles as part of a larger effort to title over 50 This security not only benefits the communities, community territories. These will form a firewall but as it empowers landowners to prevent against colonization around Sierra del Divisor deforestation, it will also have a positive impact National Park and the soon-to-be White Sands on the planet. According to new research, National Reserve. the Peruvian Amazon has historically been a tremendous carbon sink. In fact, researchers at “The rainforests in the Amazon of Peru are home the Carnegie Institution for Science recently Mitú to an extraordinary concentration of biodiversity, determined that the aboveground carbon storage and home to many indigenous communities. Sadly of the area is 6.83 billion metric tons. However, as Pasto the forests and peoples of the Amazon have all deforestation and degradation increase in Peru, REGION COUNTRY too often suffered from the relentless campaign these same forests are becoming carbon sources. Latin America Peru A D O R to deforest and destroy the land,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman. The Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project ACRES TREES SAVED (MAAP) took this information and determined 42,867 ~7,759,000 “When Rainforest Trust helps indigenous peoples that 59 million metric tons of carbon were lost secure legal rights to their land, it not only gives during the last five years. But they also showed them rights to block mining and logging, but that land protection can solve this problem, THREATENED CO2 SPECIES EQUIVALENT gives them one of the most basic of human rights. highlighting Sierra del Divisor National Park as 17 ~8,817,000 mT CO2 For indigenous communities, land is a source of one example. livelihood and central to their economic, social CEDIA and cultural rights.” CEDIA TOP: TOP: BOTTOM:

3 4 ECUADOR Narupa Reserve protects viable populations species is found. Río Canandé Reserve has been of globally threatened species, including four identified as a Key Biodiversity Area and serves RESERVE EXPANSIONS IN ECUADOR INCREASE PROTECTION BY OVER 500 ACRES species of Endangered amphibians. Rainforest as a refuge for over 350 bird species, including at Trust will continue helping its local partner expand least 36 Endangered Great Green Macaws that ...... Buenaventura Reserve, Narupa Reserve & Río Canandé Reserve, Ecuador Narupa Reserve to eventually achieve strategic inhabit the area – perhaps the largest group in Buenaventura Reserve is one of the most Ecuador. Approximately half the global population connectivity with Reserva Ecologica Antisana and Ecuador. threatened biodiversity hotspots on Earth in an of Endangered El Oro Parakeets and the few dozen Sumaco-Napo-Galeras. area with an annual deforestation rate of nearly 2 remaining Endangered Ecuadorian Tapaculos Rainforest Trust will continue to support the percent. Rainforest Trust recently helped our local depend on the reserve for their survival. Saving Río Canandé Reserve was expanded by 98 acres purchase of critical properties to expand partner Fundación Jocotoco expand this reserve this well-forested property from logging also as part of the long-term objective of establishing Buenaventura Reserve, Narupa Reserve and Río by 180 acres as part of a large conservation protects many rare plants and provides habitat an ecological corridor between Canandé and Canandé Reserve, as well as other protected areas initiative to create a 222,395-acre ecological for the Critically Endangered Ecuadorian White- Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. This throughout Ecuador. These reserves provide corridor throughout El Oro province. This high fronted Capuchin. reserve is a hotspot for biodiversity with one of security for some of the world’s most biodiverse level of deforestation, combined with the already the highest concentrations of endemic species in and threatened habitats. fragmented nature of this landscape, makes it Narupa Reserve was expanded by 243 acres and will the world. The reserve holds the sole population crucial to save the last remaining forest patches now have additional protection from threats such of the Critically Endangered Canandé Magnolia Thank you to our generous friends and the SAVES Challenge in the area. as illegal logging, deforestation and agricultural and is home to the Critically Endangered Brown- for making these projects a success. For more information expansion. This reserve is located in the Napo headed Spider Monkey, one of the world’s rarest on how you can support conservation projects, please visit The reserve harbors 14 globally threatened bird bioregion of northeast Ecuador and is one of primates. The area is also critical for the Mache the Conservation Action Fund. species, four of which only occur in western the most biodiverse areas in the world. Enlarging Glass Frog and is one of the few sites where the

Cartagena by Rainfores JOCOTOCOExisting Pro 0 100 A

V E N E MICHAEL MOENS Mitú Pasto REGION COUNTRY MIKA PECK A D O R Latin America Ecuador

ACRES TREES SAVED

BROWN-HEADED SPIDER MONKEY, BROWN-HEADED MICHAEL MOENS 521 ~93,000

BOTTOM: BOTTOM: BOTTOM: THREATENED CO2 SPECIES EQUIVALENT 66 ~71,000 mT CO2

5 6 COSTA RICA COSTA RICAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES COUNTRY’S FIRST SHARK SANCTUARY ...... Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica Outgoing Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Sharks. Apart from the seasonal aggregations of Solís announced in May the designation of more Whale Sharks, many of the sharks that inhabit the than 7,000 acres of critical nursery habitat for gulf are juveniles, which further demonstrates the Scalloped Hammerhead, a shark that is Golfo Dulce’s importance as a shark nursery. In listed as Endangered on the International Union addition to sharks, the biological diversity of Golfo for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Dulce includes 276 species of fish, 296 species of Threatened Species. This Shark Sanctuary is the mollusks, 71 species of macrocrustaceans, eight first of its kind in Costa Rica, and it establishes a species of whales and dolphins and numerous rays. new strict protection level and governance model Sea turtles also feed here, including the Critically that requires community commitment. Endangered Hawksbill Turtle, Endangered Green Turtle and Vulnerable Olive Ridley. Rainforest Trust worked with its local partner Misión Tiburón to create the Scalloped “When we started in 2010 to study the population Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary of Golfo Dulce, of Scalloped Hammerhead shark in Golfo Dulce, a unique ecosystem that is one of only four we never thought it would become the first Marine tropical fjords in the world. It is also a smaller, yet Sanctuary for Costa Rica,” said Andrés López, critical, portion of the larger 172,974-acre Marine researcher and co-founder of Misión Tiburón. Management Area and Shark Sanctuary that is “Now, this new governance model gives us hope planned for the entire Golfo Dulce ecosystem and for the future, as we believe this is the first step to Cartagena by Rainfores supported by the conservation organizations. develop conservation initiatives which will benefit not only endangered species but also the local Existing Pro “The announcement by the Costa Rican communities.” MISIN TIBURN government designating a Shark Sanctuary in 0 100 A Golfo Dulce is a critical step in protecting this This Shark Sanctuary will establish no-take zones nursery for Scalloped Hammerheads as well in the most critical nursery habitat for the sharks, as other endangered species,” said Rainforest the wetlands of Coto River, among other important Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman. “We congratulate areas. It bans the catch, capture, transportation President Solís and all Costa Ricans for making and retention of hammerheads, and halts all V E N E this designation.” exploitation of marine resources until a proper management plan is established to regulate Golfo Dulce is home to several species of sharks, wildlife harvesting from within the protected including Endangered Scalloped Hammerheads, area. The management plan is also expected to which are coastal and semi-oceanic sharks found include a strategy for patrols conducted by the in warm temperate and tropical seas. Neonates local partner’s team in collaboration with the and juveniles live in nursery areas located in the government coast guard. coastal waters of estuaries, bays and mangroves, where nutrient-rich waters provide food and Rainforest Trust would like to thank the Goodstone Inn protection from predators. Other sharks that will & Restaurant and Playa Cativo Lodge for their generous benefit from the sanctuary include Tiger Sharks, support for this project. Bull Sharks, Blacktip Sharks and Whitetip Reef

Mitú Pasto MISIÓN TIBURÓN REGION COUNTRY JOHN VOO

A D O R Latin America Costa Rica

ACRES TREES SAVED 7,439 Negligible SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD, SCALLOPED

THREATENED CO2 HAMMERHEAD, SCALLOPED SPECIES EQUIVALENT 5 Negligible LEFT: BOTTOM:

7 8 9 important forest that isvital to theCritically The expanded reserve section includesan Roofed Turtle.” the Ganges River DolphinandtheRed-crowned helps numerous endangered wildlife species, like additionalhabitat protectionSalaman. “This Reserve,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul and expand thespectacular Koshi Tappu Wildlife of threatened woodland and wetland habitat BELT and ICFC to strategically acquire 40 acres “Rainforest Trust isproud to partner withKTK- in SouthAsia. one of the most important aquatic bird reserves bird speciesinthissmallreserve, itisconsidered Turtle andBengalFlorican. With485 recorded as theCritically Endangered Red-crowned Roofed four of whichare Critically Endangered –aswell species. These include sixspeciesof vultures – protection for numerous globally threatened total acreage provides of 42,520, habitat Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, withanew expanded on Wetlands of International Importance site. the country’sfirst andlargest Ramsar Convention in Nepal, andtheirpurchase willfortify and expand properties lie next to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Conservation Fundof Canada(ICFC).Theacquired in partnership withKTK-BELT andInternational purchase of five parcels of vitalriparian habitat Rainforest Trust ispleased to announce the . CONSERVATION PROPERTIESFORWILDLIFEINNEPAL ORGANIZATIONS PURCHASE NEPAL Fund andtheSAVES Challenge, thisproject isasuccess. Through thegenerous supportoftheConservationAction the local populations. harvested invasive plant species as a benefit to viewing areas andbio-brickproduction using as vulture eco-tourism, Ganges River Dolphin valuable alternative livelihood opportunitiessuch the importance of conservation, andhasprovided new protected area to increase education about closely withthecommunities surrounding this have historically faced. Ourlocal partner worked stemming from discrimination the communities due to alackof community engagement, where conservation efforts have beenchallenged the parcel islocated inthesouth of thereserve, Another crucialaspectof thispurchase isthat the opportunity to begin restoration activities. ecological importance. Italso gives our partner size of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve dueto its organizations currently working to doublethe efforts by otherinstitutions andnongovernmental The completion of thisproject willassist ongoing invasive weeds, wildlife trapping andoverfishing. region, andprovides increased defense against also prevents land-grabbing inthissensitive buffer nesting sites inparticular. This expanded security in theKoshi Tappu ecosystem, reducing these forest cover hasdeclinedby more than80percent Endangered nesting vultures. Inthelast 20years, K oshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary ,

Nepal

LEFT: KTK-BELT

LEFTRIGHT: & RIGHT:KTK-BELT RAINFOREST TRUST Pa st o CO 24 SPECIE THREA A La REGION 34 CRE tin Americ 4 L S TENED S OMBIA a

36,000 mTCO2 EQUI CO 12 TREES SA Co C OUNTRY 4,000 lombia 2 VA LENT VE D Mi VE tú NE 10 10 LIBERIA

LAUNCH OF GOLA FOREST NATIONAL PARK WITH COMMUNITY CEREMONY ...... Gola Forest National Park, Liberia

Although Liberia’s 54th National Legislature in the park designation and ongoing, long-term signed the Gola Forest National Park into law management. on September 22, 2016, the new protected area was officially launched in May with a community- “All of the staff of the Society for the Conservation focused regional ceremony in Kungba District, SLC, of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) deserve the highest Gbarpolu County. Over 250 people from local and praise for their dedication and efforts made for national government agencies, nongovernmental several years to inform and engage the regional organizations, project donors and community traditional and district authorities and residents members – including clan and town chiefs – of villages and towns in the conservation of their attended the event. forest as a national park,” said Rainforest Trust Senior Africa Conservation Officer Dr. Sally Lahm. Rainforest Trust worked with its local partner “It is reassuring to know that SCNL will continue Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia to work with them into the future so that (SCNL) to help establish the 219,609-acre Gola communities are involved in the management of Forest National Park. This is only the second their park.” national park in the country. It is located in Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount counties, along As one of Africa’s most important biodiversity

the border with Sierra Leone. The park creates a hotspots, the area is home to 60 species assessed C THOMAS transboundary corridor of protection with Sierra as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Leone’s Gola Rainforest National Park. Together, Species, including the Vulnerable African Elephant. these two parks safeguard one of largest Facing threats from habitat loss and especially remaining tracks of Upper Guinea Forest and poaching, African Elephants have suffered RIGHT: BOTTOM form one of the largest protected area complexes catastrophic population declines in recent

in West Africa at nearly 400,000 acres. decades. In addition, surveys in the Gola Forest BARNARD; National Park have identified 48 other medium-to- Rainforest Trust’s local partner is committed to large mammal species, including Diana Monkeys, BOTTOM LEFT: LEFT: BOTTOM

working with local communities to achieve lasting Critically Endangered Western Chimpanzees, ; conservation results in this new park by having Endangered Pygmy Hippopotamuses, Jentink’s RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST field staff visit communities regularly to ensure Duikers and Western Red Colobus Monkeys. GANAS

that they remain educated about and involved TOP: TOP:

11 12 TAKING URGENT ACTION LOOKING AHEAD…

HOW RAINFOREST TRUST FIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH HABITAT PROTECTION ......

DEFORESTATION ACCOUNTS FOR

UP TO ...... ABOUT THE SAME AS THE ENTIRE WORLD’S TRANSPORTATION SECTOR

PROTECTING HABITATS FOR AN AVERAGE OF AN ACRE

CAN HELP STOP DEFORESTATION …WHILE PROTECTING RAINFOREST NOT ONLY SAFEGUARDS THE LUNGS OF THE PLANET & A MAJORITY OF BIODIVERSITY, IT ALSO SAVES VAST CARBON SINKS SUCH AS PEAT SWAMPS.

13 14 EARTH DAY 2018 Volunteers also conducted a plant installation At the Challenge, Rainforest Trust Chief project in partnership with Fauquier County Parks Conservation Officer Dr. George Wallace RAINFOREST TRUST HOSTS FIRST EARTH DAY OF SERVICE and Recreation at Rady Park in Warrenton, VA. participated in a panel entitled, “Forests: Safeguarding the Final 15%.” He spoke about the ...... “We were incredibly pleased with how many people importance of protecting the world’s remaining came out and volunteered with us for Earth Day,” intact forests and how nongovernmental Rainforest Trust celebrated Earth Day by launching Trust. This campaign was shared internationally said Rainforest Trust Chief Outreach Officer Marc conservation organizations and corporations two month-long initiatives, participating in several with Rainforest Trust’s local partners in the field, Ford. “We believe our efforts were both positive should partner in a mutually beneficial manner to events across the country and hosting its first as well as with all the visitors to and participants in and impactful for our local community and our make it happen. annual Earth Day of Service at its headquarters in the organization’s other Earth Day events. planet.” Warrenton, VA. “Many of the world’s largest corporations have N3TWORK raised $75,000 by developing an The Adopt-a-Highway team covered the entire global impacts that could be at least partially “Celebrating Earth Day is an important tradition opportunity for its gamers to earn virtual coins three-mile stretch of road, gathering enough mitigated by locking arms with the conservation for Rainforest Trust,” said Rainforest Trust CEO for Rainforest Trust. In the company’s Legendary: trash to fill nearly 15 trash bags, while the Rady community and working together to protect Dr. Paul Salaman. “It gives us a great opportunity Game of Heroes, it modified its system of awarding Park team dug flower beds, planted trees and these vital forest landscapes,” Dr. Wallace said. to raise awareness about the importance of coins or tokens to appropriately represent multiple flowers and then laid mulch to complete “Intact forests hold vast numbers of species that, maintaining our planet’s critical ecosystems. It is Rainforest Trust’s brand. the project. while not threatened now, will join the ranks of also a chance for our team to participate locally in Earth’s imperiled species if these forests become activities to protect the planet.” “Rainforest Trust is doing incredible work to Volunteers were treated to a free picnic lunch fragmented or lost altogether. Time is short, the protect the most threatened tropical forests provided through a $500 PATH Foundation grant, stakes are high, but success is absolutely within The two initiatives included an electronics and saving endangered wildlife,” said Neil Young, as well as donations from Chick-fil-A, Giant, reach.” recycling drive in partnership with ALC Recycling founder and CEO of N3TWORK. “We are happy to Great Harvest, Pizza Hut, Red Hot and Blue and and a social media hashtag campaign with do our part and support their efforts through a Wegmans. There were also games, arts and crafts Rainforest Trust also set up information booths N3TWORK's Legendary: Games of Heroes. For fun in-game event to celebrate Earth Day, where made with recycled materials and a forest fire and engaged thousands of environmentally the electronics recycling drive, Rainforest Trust players can help raise funds and awareness for presentation from the Warrenton Volunteer conscious people at EarthX from April 20-22; collected unwanted products like flat-screen Rainforest Trust.” Fire Department in partnership with Virginia’s several hundred people at the US Botanic Garden’s televisions, computers and cellphones at the Department of Forestry. 2018 Earth Day Open House on Friday, April 20; Warrenton headquarters. Rainforest Trust expanded its local environmental and several families at Airlie Conference Center’s activities with its first full day of service on Saturday, For the second year in a row, Rainforest Trust Earth Day on Sunday, April 22. To help spread the message of conservation in April 21. In addition to running the electronics attended the Earth Day 50 Challenge, a summit honor of Earth Day, for every social media post recycling drive for the day, participants picked up comprising nearly 100 corporate, environmental, Rainforest Trust would like to thank all of its partners that and share from April 1-30 that included the trash along Airlie Road where Rainforest Trust’s academic and philanthropic leaders held alongside made this Earth Day a great success! #SeeTheRainforestFor hashtag, N3TWORK saved offices are located as part of Virginia Department EarthX in Dallas, Texas. Together, these two events one acre of tropical habitat through Rainforest of Transportation’s Adopt-a-Highway program. ran from April 18-22. RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST ALL: BOTTOM:

15 16 N3TWORK EARTH DAY CAMPAIGN

N3TWORK ......

One of our newest corporate partners, N3TWORK, to protect an acre of rainforest. In addition, it a gaming and technology company, sponsored launched a special event on its game Legendary: our #SeeTheRainforestFor campaign launched in Game of Heroes where players collected rainforest honor of Earth Day 2018. For every photo shared coins to raise money for Rainforest Trust. This with that hashtag, N3TWORK donated funding resulted in total donations of $75,000.

EXPANDING OUR PARTNERSHIPS

ENDANGERED SPECIES CHOCOLATE ...... Endangered Species Chocolate and Rainforest Endangered Species Chocolate has pledged to Trust have been partners since 2016. This year, we donate an acre of rainforest, up to 10,000 acres, have partnered to protect critical territory across for every entry submitted, as well as matching West and Central Africa for the threatened Forest any additional donations that are made. Find out Elephant, while offering donors and customers more here: the chance to win a year’s supply of chocolate. www.rainforesttrust.org/endangered-species-chocolate.

SAMBAZON A HUGE SUCCESS ...... Sambazon, a sustainable producer of açaí juice, #PurpleForThePlanet, Sambazon protected 5 joined in partnership with Rainforest Trust for the acres of rainforest. Running a full month from first time this year. It launched a campaign to save Earth Day on April 22 to World Biodiversity Day 30 species in 30 days, and enlisted Rainforest Trust on May 22, the campaign raised enough money to to provide an area worthy of protection. For every protect 126,270 acres of Amazon rainforest for the

person who colored their hair purple, took a selfie Airo Pai Community Reserve in Peru, protecting TRUST RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST and tagged it with @Sambazon and the hashtag many more than 30 species. ALL: ALL:

17 18 YOUNG CONSERVATION AWARD

RAINFOREST TRUST PRESENTS FIRST YOUNG CONSERVATION AWARD ......

Rainforest Trust recently honored one of its many efforts. Over the next few months, Evelyn worked young supporters with the organization’s first on her masterpiece that would hang in the main Young Conservation Award. Evelyn Lepsch – an entrance of the Peabody School, so that it would 8th grader at the Peabody School, an independent inspire students for years to come. school in Charlottesville, VA – was tasked with coming up with a project that would make an Once complete, Rainforest Trust was invited to impact on her local community. She chose to attend a presentation being held by the 8th grade highlight Rainforest Trust’s work. class, showcasing all of the students’ projects. We were honored to have the opportunity to support “All of our students are required to undertake such a passionate young conservationist, and after a project when they reach 8th grade, and we Evelyn gave a talk about her project, we were able do our best to partner the children with local to give a presentation about the importance of organizations so that they can see just how big conservation work around the world. of an impact they can have,” said Victoria Young, Evelyn’s teacher and supervisor on this project. It was during this presentation that Evelyn received “Evelyn expressed to me that she wanted to focus her Young Conservation Award, and according to KBA PARTNERSHIP her project on big cats and conservation, so we sat her mother, Nicole, she was both surprised and down and did a bit of research on conservation thrilled to receive it. organizations in Virginia, and that is when we RAINFOREST TRUST JOINS KBA PARTNERSHIP stumbled upon Rainforest Trust,” she explained. “Evelyn was so nervous to present her painting as it means a lot to her… ever since she was a ...... Evelyn saw our logo and a photo of a Jaguar from small child, Evelyn has had an immense love for one of our projects and knew that Rainforest big cats and was so happy to be supported by an Rainforest Trust is pleased to announce that it Rainforest Trust will work with our local partners Trust would be the perfect partner for her organization like Rainforest Trust,” she said. is now an official partner of the Key Biodiversity and other KBA Partnership organizations to passions. A few email exchanges later and Evelyn Area (KBA) Partnership. This partnership, which support the formation of National Coordination and her grandparents were at our Warrenton, VA The event was a huge success for the 90 students was formed in 2016, brings together 12 leading Groups, so that national processes to identify, headquarters outlining her plan. As an artist, Evelyn that participated, and we here at Rainforest Trust nature conservation organizations to have a document and map KBAs can be efficiently knew she wanted to combine her love of art with could not be more proud to have someone so unified voice in identifying, mapping, monitoring implemented. We will also incorporate much her love for big cats, and so she chose to create a talented and passionate about conservation as a and conserving important sites for biodiversity of the KBA Standard into our selection process mural depicting a Cheetah and our conservation supporter! conservation. for determining where to focus our protected area funding. One of our biggest priorities is to “The KBA Partnership brings together the world’s fund areas that have significant proportions of leading conservation organizations with their the populations of highly threatened species of combined knowledge, partner networks, science animals and plants. and monitoring programs and financial resources to identify and conserve the planet’s critically “We look forward to working with the entire important areas,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. KBA Partnership to identify and monitor the Paul Salaman. “This is one of the most important integrity of the world’s Key Biodiversity Areas,” initiatives for direct conservation action since the said Dr. George Wallace, Rainforest Trust’s Chief IUCN Red List was launched 50 years ago.” Conservation Officer. “The KBA initiative literally provides us with a roadmap to the places we Rainforest Trust has long been focused on most want to protect - it really couldn’t be more conserving areas that are recognized as critical important, and that is exactly why we are making for biodiversity conservation. In fact, the vast it a top priority in our conservation efforts.” majority of our protected areas are either wholly or partially within confirmed KBAs, or are likely to The other 11 participating organizations include be labeled as such once assessed under the new BirdLife International, International Union for KBA Standard. This standard provides us with a Conservation of Nature, Amphibian Survival common methodology for identifying priorities Alliance, Conservation International, Critical for conservation, and as we move forward we will Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Global Environment strive to ensure that all our protected areas meet Facility, Global Wildlife Conservation, NatureServe, RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST the KBA Standard. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife RAINFOREST TRUST RAINFOREST Conservation Society and World Wide Fund for

BOTTOM: BOTTOM: TOP: Nature.

19 20 Cartagena by Rainfores Existing Pro 0 100 A YKRASI

V E N E

Mitú Pasto REGION COUNTRY A D O R Asia & Oceana Indonesia

ACRES TREES SAVED 299,085 ~53,835,000

THREATENED CO2 SPECIES EQUIVALENT 43 ~11,611,000 mT CO2

SIZE: 299,085 ACRES PROJECT COST: $383,796 PRICE PER ACRE: $1.28 KEY SPECIES: BORNEAN ORANGUTAN (CR), MAHAKAM RIVER DOLPHIN (CR), SIAMESE CROCODILE (CR), MALAYSIAN GIANT TURTLE (EN), PROBOSCIS MONKEY (EN), STORM’S STORK (EN)

The proposed reserve will also protect other agreements for protected area establishment. MAHAKAM RIVER DOLPHIN highly threatened species, including the Critically They also understand the importance of Endangered Siamese Crocodile and Bornean protecting these waterways as they provide the Orangutan and the Endangered Malaysian Giant fish that they depend upon for sustenance. SAVING THE MAHAKAM RIVER DOLPHIN IN BORNEO Turtle. It supports at least 298 bird species, 147 ...... East Kalimantan, Indonesia indigenous fish species, two crustacean species, Community involvement has proven to be 27 reptile species and five primate species. critical for long-term sustainable protection, and Rainforest Trust works with local partners who Rainforest Trust is proud to showcase a major shallow coastal waters, three large river systems, In order to protect this unique and critical habitat, integrate community engagement into their project that will safeguard a Critically Endangered two brackish lagoons and one sound. The Rainforest Trust and local partner Yayasan strategy for protected area establishment. This subpopulation of Irrawaddy Dolphins found only fragmented distribution of dolphin populations Konservasi Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia project is no different. Rainforest Trust’s partner in the Mahakam River of Indonesian Borneo. limits population sizes and makes them more seek $383,796 to establish a 119,277-acre Aquatic has been working with local villages since 2011, susceptible to anthropogenic threats, resulting in Nature Reserve and a 179,808-acre Peat Swamp conducting community meetings to identify and Indonesia’s Mahakam River is home to a Critically Critically Endangered subpopulations in all three Conservation Area along the Mahakam River in map core areas and completing local government Endangered population of around 80 Mahakam riverine habitats, one of the lagoons and the East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This will protect a consultations. The Aquatic Nature Reserve and River Dolphins. Researchers are in the process of sound. total of 299,085 acres. Peat Swamp Conservation Area will be established analyzing the DNA of this isolated population and in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and believe that it may be genetically distinct from Despite the Mahakam River Dolphin being revered “It is urgent that we protect this vanishing habitat the Ministry of Forestry and Environment. These other populations of the Endangered Irrawaddy by the local communities, it is highly threatened as soon as possible - the survival of the Mahakam two contiguous protected areas will together Dolphin found throughout South and Southeast by entanglement in gill nets and the destruction River Dolphin and other unique species depends form the Essential Ecosystem Middle Mahakam Asia. of riparian habitat. The proposed protected area on it,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman. Area. To protect both terrestrial and aquatic consistently supports around 80 individuals, which biodiversity, these areas will be zoned with the Although the Irrawaddy Dolphin has a large is 80-100 percent of the population at various Due to the reverence in which local communities participation of the local community. range from Bangladesh to Indonesia, there are times, making it irreplaceable habitat. RIVER DOLPHIN, NA-ME IRAWADDY hold the dolphins, all 21 villages in the proposed

only a few suitable habitats, including a few TOP: Aquatic Nature Reserve have signed communal

21 22 UrgentProtection Support the conservation work of Rainforest Trust and its partners around the world.

CONSERVATION ACTION FUND

$1.98 – AVERAGE COST TO PROTECT AN ACRE OF TROPICAL HABITAT Every day, precious acres of rainforest are lost forever. and the planet. A gift to our Conservation Action Fund Critically endangered species lose their habitat. (CAF) supports our most urgent work around the world. Communities lose their sustaining forests. Water sources and weather systems are disrupted. Our Our conservation work makes a tangible difference. planet is impacted when stored carbon is released by Whether it is preserving the Amazon and the way of life deforestation and degradation. for indigenous people, purchasing rainforest in Borneo to create an urgently needed corridor for Bornean Rainforest Trust believes that the simple solution of Pygmy Elephants or establishing a network of new stopping deforestation of the last remaining tropical national parks across Cambodia, with your support we habitats will positively impact species, communities will preserve all types of critical areas for life on Earth.

Please use the enclosed envelope, or visit RainforestTrust.org/donate to make a donation