Valuing biodiversity and natural resources

An important part of WLT’s work is to protect the biodiversity and natural resources within the reserves we have helped create. A high level of biodiversity shows that an ecosystem is healthy and therefore better at providing the natural resources that people and wildlife depend on.

How we rely on the natural world

People depend on the natural world for a huge amount of resources, such as clean water, food, and fuel. Healthy ecosystems also carry out a range of vital services, from regulating climate, to reducing the risk of floods, and controlling disease. The healthier an ecosystem is the better it is at providing these natural benefits, also known as Ecosystem Services.

WLT’s Ecosystem Services projects

If a habitat has a high level of biodiversity and is in imminent threat of destruction, then WLT will often fund the land purchase or protection of the area through our Ecosystem Services projects. These projects are Carbon Balanced offsetting, REDD+ projects, and the Reforestation programme. Find out more by following the links below to the Ecosystem Services website.

Carbon Balanced Programme

WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme enables individuals and small to medium sized businesses to offset their CO₂ emissions. By doing so, they also help conserve some of the Earth's most threatened habitats and wildlife.

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REDD+ Projects

Up to 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by forest destruction and damage. By protecting forests that are in imminent threat of destruction, WLT is tackling the threat of dangerous climate change. This process of reducing deforestation and forest degradation is known as REDD+ . We are currently working on one validated REDD+ project in Paraguay, the Paraguay Forest Conservation Project.

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Reforestation and habitat restoration

WLT works with partner organisations in regions of the world that have suffered extensive environmental damage and habitat loss. Once WLT has helped its partner create a protected nature reserve, it is sometimes necessary to improve or expand this forest habitat through reforestation and habitat restoration.

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Watershed Protection and other services

The reserves that WLT fund often safeguard natural resources that are vital to people, such as watersheds. Find out how projects in Ecuador, such as those in Yanacocha and Rio Nea, protect community water supplies.