As the UN Decade on Restoration gets underway, World Land Trust (WLT) are delighted to announce our involvement in what promises to be an inspiring and wide-reaching environmental campaign: Rewriting Extinction. WLT are one of seven major charities taking part in this global storytelling movement that aims to educate, inspire and empower the public to help save threatened species around the world.
As many as 1 million plant and animal species are facing extinction at this very moment, more than ever before in human history. The need for a truly global and concerted effort to tackle this crisis has never been greater. The essence of Rewriting Extinction is summarised by the campaign’s founder, Paul Goodenough:
“We are uniting the most important environmental voices on the planet: from indigenous people to activists, from storytellers to celebrities, and helping them collaborate to craft moving comic stories that give people hope and direction in the fight for our planet. Through these stories, we’ll raise the money and awareness we need to save as many species from extinction as humanly possible.”
The money raised for WLT will go towards the expansion of the Laguna Grande Reserve, protecting an additional 3,294 acres of forest and wetland in Caribbean Guatemala. Funds will be utilised on the ground by our in-country partner FUNDAECO, who work tirelessly to support sustainable livelihoods and improve healthcare access for local communities.
The West Indian Manatee, listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is one species whose habitat you can save by supporting our Laguna Grande project. Image: NOAA / Unsplash
Rewriting Extinction has called upon 300 contributors from all sectors with the aim of mobilising as many passionate environmentalists as possible.
Among the big names supporting Rewriting Extinction are:
- Cara Delevingne, model, actor and environmentalist
- Dame Jane Goodall DBE, famed primatologist and UN Messenger of Peace
- Sir Patrick Stewart, actor and producer
- Luisa Neubauer, activist and co-founder of the Fridays for Future movement
- Ricky Gervais, writer, director, actor and animal rights advocate
- Steve Backshall, WLT Patron, TV presenter and adventurer
- Chris Packham, WLT Patron, TV presenter and naturalist
Rewriting Extinction will also support a further six projects:
- Born Free Foundation will safeguard habitat for some of the world’s most iconic and threatened species, including African Lion, Bengal Tiger and Western Lowland Gorilla
- The Wildlife Trusts aim to transform the UK’s wild places by reintroducing beavers and restoring 24,000 acres (10,000 ha) of wetland
- Rewilding Europe are hoping to rewild habitat in Portugal, Italy and Bulgaria, handing a new lease of life to endangered species like the Iberian Lynx
- Greenpeace are dedicating themselves to securing global ocean protection. Goals include scientific research and sending a delegation to the UN
- Re:wild have the restoration of Vietnam’s Pu Mat National Park in their sights, as well as the reintroduction of Tasmanian Devils to mainland Australia
- Reserva will support the purchase and protection of up to 1,000 acres (400 ha) of cloud forest in the hugely biodiverse Ecuadorian Chocó
Achieving these meaningful and achievable goals will only be possible if we act together. You now have the chance to add your voice to hundreds of artists, writers, scientists, experts, activists, comedians and more who are now taking a stand for the planet we all share.