Land acquisition

WLT was one of the first organisations in the world to focus specifically on the conservation of threatened habitats through land purchase. Working with partner organisations across the world, WLT funds the purchase or lease of threatened land to create nature reserves, protecting both habitats and their wildlife.

WLT does not own or manage any of the areas it helps save outside of the UK: the land is always purchased, protected and managed by local partner organisations or communities.

Tree planting & assisted natural regeneration

Once land is under conservation management by WLT partners, options are investigated to restore deforested land and degraded habitat, reconnecting previously fragmented forest patches. This can be achieved using two techniques; tree planting and removing a threat to allow forest to regenerate naturally.

Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation

The Carbon Balanced Programme utilises REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) to fund the protection and restoration of areas of threatened forest, and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. WLT currently implements a number of REDD+ projects from WLT’s self-certified projects in Ecuador to dual certified projects in Paraguay.

Reserve management

Once land is secured and reserves are created ongoing management is needed to ensure they remain protected. WLT funds its partner NGOs to employ individuals from local communities as reserve rangers and protect some of the world’s most threatened habitats and the animals found within them. Funded by our Keepers of the Wild Programme, these rangers allow WLT’s network of partner organisations to take action on the front line, acting as their eyes and hands in the field.

If you feel your organisation and project may be a good fit for World Land Trust please read our project proposal guidelines and fill out a project concept note here »