FAQs

Why support World Land Trust?

Our mission is to help people across the world protect and restore their land for the benefit of wildlife, climate, and future generations, and we work with trusted in-country conservation partners to do just that. Supporting World Land Trust (WLT) means making a direct and tangible impact on the protection of some of the planet’s most threatened and biologically rich habitats, the wildlife within them, and the people who live alongside them. We make this happen by purchasing and protecting land, restoring forests, and helping local communities steward their land in the way they know best.

How do I know where my donation goes?

WLT is committed to being transparent about its expenditure and the people involved in the Trust. Donors can track their contributions through WLTs Annual Reports that give a comprehensive overview of the organisation’s financial activities.

WLT has a long track record of supporting the global fight against deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. For the past three decades, we have assisted conservation partners as they secure and protect threatened ecosystems all over the world, delivering tangible results in the process.

All WLT-funded projects must have clear benefits, with no net negative impacts on climate, communities or biodiversity. All projects and partners are assessed throughout the year through regular monitoring reports. Our partners provide WLT with quarterly project updates, alongside a data report and financial report which will confirm outputs of the project and how funding is spent.

Donors receive regular updates on the progress of specific projects they have supported and can keep up to date with our progress through WLT’s news channel and newsletter These updates include information on the impact of their donations and the advancements made in conservation efforts. Donors can also direct their contributions for specific projects where possible, ensuring their funds are directed towards particular conservation initiatives.

What makes WLT stand out?

Since 1989 when WLT was first founded by John Burton with Programme for Belize, it has placed local people at the heart of every project. WLT was the first UK conservation organisation to focus on buying rainforest for permanent protection and today, many organisations have now adopted this highly effective approach.

Before donating to any charity, it’s important to do your research. Review their annual reports, learn about their staff and trustees, and assess their conservation credentials. Here’s what we believe sets WLT apart:

-Proven Track Record: Decades of successful conservation projects since 1989.

-Locally Led: All projects are delivered by trusted in-country partners, with local people at the heart of implementation.

-Long term approach: We believe in long term partnerships and not short-term sponsorship.

-Focus on existing: Whilst we have a reforestation programme, it is always better to preserve what nature already has and so we prioritise saving existing, ecologically rich habitats first.

-Transparency: We are open about how donations are used and who is involved.

-Donor Choice: You can earmark your donation for specific projects, ensuring your support goes exactly where you intend. Read about our current projects here.

Can I become a member of WLT?

You can support WLT by joining our WLT Friends programme with a regular donation to our Action Fund. By pledging a monthly gift of £5 or more via Direct Debit, WLT Friends provide vital, reliable funding that helps us plan and deliver long-term conservation projects, such as land purchases to protect threatened habitats.

WLT Friends are at the heart of our work. Their ongoing commitment inspires others, including individuals and corporate partners, to support our mission.

You can find out more about becoming a WLT Friend or exploring other ways to support us such as Buy an Acre, Plant a Tree, Keepers of the Wild and more here.

Can I donate from outside of the UK

Absolutely, WLT can accept international payments electronically by filling out a General Enquires form to request our bank details. You can also contact our Supporter Care team by email or by phone on +44 1986 874422, who will be happy to help.

If you are donating from Europe, you can donate via PayPal or directly into our EUR account for both one off or a recurring donation.

Donors based in Germany can now make tax efficient donations to WLT through the Transnational Giving Europe platform here. If you would like to support WLT through Transnational Giving Europe from elsewhere in Europe, please get in touch with us as we may be able to arrange this.

If you are in the USA, WLT is an evaluated charity of CAF America, which is a 501(c)(3) registered organisation and you can make tax efficient donations to WLT through CAF America here; please note that CAF America has a minimum administration fee of $80, so please take this into consideration if you choose to donate. US-based individuals who wish to remember us in their will can also use this route for legacy giving here.

For USA grantmakers, WLT has an Equivalency Determination with NGOSource, hugely simplifying donations from US-based corporate, community and private foundations, as well as Donor Advised Funds.

For more information please visit the NGOSource website or you are welcome to contact us to discuss potential support. NGOSource membership fees are waived for foundations with an annual budget below US$5 million.

How do you decide where to protect land?

WLT prioritises projects in countries with high biodiversity and limited resources for protection, where conservation action will have the highest impact and most urgently needed. Every project WLT supports is evaluated by the WLT team and the Conservation Advisory Panel (CAP).

Key to every project is our in-country partners, typically NGOs or not-for-profit organisations focused on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. We also support other organisations such development NGOs, indigenous groups, and eco-tourism companies, if they can effectively bring land into conservation and lack other funding sources.

WLT’s core focus is on bringing new areas of land into conservation protection, but it also supports related activities like habitat protection, restoration, community engagement, research, monitoring, and income generation for financial sustainability. All funded projects must have clear benefits and no net negative impact on biodiversity, communities, and the climate.

For more information about how WLT selects its projects, see our project proposal guidelines here.

Do you work with other organisations?

Yes, always. All our projects are carried out with our extensive network of local in-country Partners around the world who receive funding, along with a network of Operational Partners who we work collaboratively with.

Why aren’t the governments of these countries helping?

We all share a responsibility for ensuring that the world’s wildlife survives into the future. In many parts of the world, governments simply do not have the funds to adequately protect the land they already own, and development often comes before conservation. Environmental agencies have limited capacity and resources to enforce existing laws or invest in large-scale habitat protection. Wherever possible we try to ensure that we have the support of the local government.

Do you travel to these places?

When appropriate, WLT team members will travel to project sites to carry out essential evaluations and meet with the partners. WLT recognises that some of our activities such as the international air travel required for this have adverse effects on the environment, but we are committed to minimising our impacts as far as possible while continuing our work of preserving threatened habitats. Read WLT’s Environmental Policy, here.

Why use land purchase as a tool for conservation?

Land purchase is one of the most direct and reliable ways to protect nature. By securing land outright, our partners can prevent deforestation, habitat destruction, and unsustainable development for the foreseeable future. Ownership allows long-term protection, restoration, and careful management of ecosystems, safeguarding wildlife, carbon stores, and vital water systems. It also enables conservation to be guided by local needs, often in partnership with communities and indigenous groups.

What happens to the land after it has been bought?

After purchase, WLT’s local partner takes ownership and develops a long-term management plan to secure legal protection and manage the site as a reserve. The work then focuses on keeping the land safe. This is done in a multitude of ways depending on what is best suited to the project such as by training and employing local rangers to patrol, monitor wildlife, and deter illegal logging or hunting and by restoration through tree planting and assisted natural regeneration where habitat has been degraded. Projects also include community outreach transitioning to sustainable livelihoods such as agroforestry, and ecotourism for long-term financial stability. Find updates on our partners progress and milestones on our news channel here.

How do I know that land I have helped protect will remain safe from threats?

We are delighted to be able to say that every reserve that our donors have ever helped fund still exists, is not threatened by agriculture, and many have received protection by state legislation. Our network of local partners are experts on land conservation in their countries who advise on the best form of protection in local regions considering the threats faced.

By putting local people at the heart of the conservation work as stewards of the ecosystems they live in and around, we give land the best chance of being protected long into the future.

In some places, mining and oil exploration may present a potential issue due to underground resources being state-owned. This is part of the extensive evaluation undertaken by the WLT team and the Conservation Advisory Panel (CAP) when deciding to support a project. This risk can also be mitigated by ensuring that good relations are maintained with relevant government authorities, which our partners excel at.

Shouldn’t you be saving land in the UK, rather than abroad?

The UK has an extensive network of protected areas, managed by organisations with whom we have strong relationships and offer our full support. However, WLT primarily focuses its efforts overseas, where we believe we can achieve the greatest impact by protecting some of the most biodiverse yet imminently threatened habitats on the planet. While WLT does have one small UK reserve at Kites Hill, this land was generously gifted to us and did not involve purchase costs.

Why does WLT raise funds to purchase land inside areas designated as reserves? Surely land inside a reserve is already protected?

In many countries including the UK, the fact that land is designated as a protected area and governed by the state does not necessarily mean that it is being managed for conservation. Biosphere reserves, national parks, and protected areas will usually include some element of privately owned land, as is the case with national parks in the UK. Funding for national parks is often inadequate and those living within parks or within a park’s sphere of influence may not be provided with alternative sources of income or other motivations to be stewards of the land. If resources are not mobilised for effective management, protected areas have little actual tangible protection. Therefore, when WLT puts funds towards purchasing land within a reserve, it is because the property being purchased will only be fully protected for conservation if the land is owned by a local conservation organisation.

How does WLT determine which reforestation projects to support?

As with all projects proposed to WLT, all new restoration proposals are reviewed by WLT’s Programmes team to assess the project’s suitability. WLT’s Conservation Advisory Panel, a group of independent conservation experts, will also make a recommendation based on the conservation merit of a potential project. WLT follows internal criteria (such as assessing the benefits the project will bring to wildlife and local communities) as well as standards around governance, accountability and finances.

What types of forest are WLT restoring?

Each project is unique and provides benefits beyond tree-planting, for the wider environment, conservation of wildlife and local people. WLT’s various reforestation projects work to restore and improve habitat quality in order to reconnect forest patches, alongside engaging and supporting local communities in different ways, for example providing employment. Because our partners are based all around the world, WLT has funded restoration in a variety of different forest types, from the lush rainforests of Ecuador to the dry forests of Paraguay.

How does WLT select where to plant trees?

WLT’s in-country partners are responsible for selecting sites suitable for tree-planting, based on their local knowledge and expertise. The selected sites will be areas of degraded habitat that cannot regenerate naturally and can be restored to a healthy natural state through reforestation, bringing benefits to biodiversity and local communities. Sites will often be selected strategically so the degraded habitat, once restored, will connect or reconnect isolated forest patches. Building this habitat connectivity into a landscape is important for species survival, as it facilitates safe wildlife movement and can help to preserve the genetic diversity of many species.

Are all the trees planted native?

Our partners select all tree species to be planted, usually collecting seeds from the local area and propagating them in nurseries. As our projects focus on restoring native forest habitats, in most cases all of the trees planted will be native to the country where the project is taking place. However, there are exceptions where the use of non-native species is agreed in advance with WLT, providing there is a clear requirement and conservation objective. For example, planting woodlots made up of fast-growing non-native species can provide food, timber and other resources for local communities, helping them to reduce their reliance on native forest habitat.

How does WLT determine when an area is restored?

WLT supports our local partners to monitor and protect planted areas until the point at which the trees are established, with the trees forming a young forest that no longer requires active maintenance to survive. No tree-planting project will have a 100% survival rate, particularly in the early stages when saplings are not well established, but after at least two to three years of maintenance and monitoring most trees will be mature enough for natural mortality rates to be low. Some projects will carry out maintenance over a longer period where required.

When I buy an acre of rainforest or other habitat, what does that mean?

When you donate through our Buy and Acre programme, your donation will allow one of our local conservation partners to buy an acre of land that is then owned and managed by them in the countries where we operate.

The price of £100 per acre is an average that we have worked out taking into consideration the costs of actual purchase and variables such as legal fees and taxes.

Can I visit where my acre is?

While we don’t identify the individual acres, more and more of our partner organisations are implementing eco-tourism plans and their reserves can be visited, more information can be found on their websites.

In which project areas will my £100 save one Acre?

Please see our Buy an Acre page for our current Buy and Acre-supported projects. Donations to Buy an Acre will be used in the project area where it is most urgently needed. If you would like to donate to a specific project, please contact our Supporter Care team who will be happy to help.

What does my £5 Plant a Tree donation pay for?

Project activities vary, but in general a donation to Plant a Tree will cover the following: seed, seedling, or sapling collection of native tree species; nursery costs; site preparation; planting and protection; replacement planting; tree monitoring and maintenance for the first two to three years and continued monitoring until the point at which the tree is established.

The cost of planting a tree varies among WLT’s restoration projects due to varying local conditions, for example, reforestation projects in dry environments typically require more stringent site preparation and ongoing care such as increased watering in order to be successful. WLT takes account of these differences by using an average ‘per tree’ cost spread across all our restoration projects. A donation of £5 to WLT’s Plant a Tree programme will fund the planting and care of a tree through to its establishment as part of a wider forest within a protected area.

Who monitors and maintains the trees after they are planted?

Generally, all reforestation work is carried out by our in-country partners, usually in collaboration with paid local community members. Most of our partners operate in areas of the Global South where job opportunities may be scarce or underpaid and people may live below the poverty line. In these areas, tree-planting and other activities, like seed collection and nursery work, provide an important source of income.

What does the monitoring and maintenance process involve?

Part of your £5 donation covers active monitoring and maintenance for your planted tree over the first two to three years of its life. This work is essential to the survival of the tree and varies between the different projects, but it can include activities like watering, clearing vegetation from around the tree, installing tree guards or fencing and monitoring the survival rate of tees at the restoration site.

What happens if a planted tree dies?

If the tree funded by your £5 donation dies within two years after it is planted, our partner will replace it with a new sapling. This is covered in the cost of your donation. Your donation may also cover the costs of further replacements, although this is rare and depends on the project. It should be noted that no tree-planting project will have a 100% survival rate; even with proper ongoing monitoring and maintenance, there will still be some level of natural mortality among the saplings. Provided there are no major obstacles, our partners’ monitoring and maintenance will ensure enough saplings survive to maturity to restore the full number of hectares outlined at the project’s start.

Can I offset my carbon emissions by donating to Plant a Tree?

While every tree you plant helps fight climate change, the Plant a Tree programme does not currently offer carbon mitigation. This is because carbon mitigation projects require stringent reporting and certification processes.

Organisations can mitigate their carbon emissions through WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme. This includes a project in the Albertine Rift of western Uganda, managed by our partner, the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST). This project is certified to the Plan Vivo Carbon Standard (PV Climate) and provides climate benefits through carbon sequestration via reforestation (farmer-led forestry/agroforestry projects), reducing pressure on natural forest resources, and improving rural livelihoods.

Does World Land Trust have places available in the London Marathon?

If you would like to run the London Marathon for WLT, you can enter through the general ballot and contact us for promotional material such as a WLT t-shirt.

How should I collect money?

It is preferable to use our online fundraising facilities here, but if you’d like a paper sponsorship form, please email us. We do ask our fundraisers not to collect funds through their own websites or third-party bank/PayPal accounts.

Can you supply collection boxes?

Yes, we can supply collection boxes to corporate supporters and individual fundraisers who are aged 16 or over. Once you have confirmed in writing that you agree to our collection box policy, in particular that the box will be kept secure and not be used for street or door-to-door fundraising, you can start collecting.

When should I pass my funds to WLT?

By law, you must pass funds raised for World Land Trust to us within the timeframe we request, and we ask to receive funds within 6 weeks or on a quarterly basis if using a collection box. If you have raised money using an online fundraising site, this is passed to us automatically.

Is my fundraising legal?

Please do contact WLT when you’re at the planning stage of your fundraising, as we will be able to advise you if there may be any problems. Here are some things to bear in mind:

Collecting money door-to-door is illegal unless you have a licence, and we ask our supporters not to raise funds for us in this way. You also need a licence and permission from your local authority if you are planning to sell goods or collect money in a public place.

If you are preparing food and drink for public consumption as part of an event, you are responsible under the Food Safety Act (1990) for making sure that everything supplied is deemed fit and safe. This covers food and drink sold or raffled for charity and supplied free to the public.

Holding a raffle is permitted if it’s part of a bigger event and there are no cash prizes, but other raffles may be unlawful.

For careers at WLT, please see our vacancies page.

Can I volunteer in WLT projects?

WLT does not run general volunteer programmes at our project areas. The capacity of our partners varies widely and they are generally not able to accommodate volunteers. Currently all conservation work is carried out by our in-country partners, usually in collaboration with paid local community members, for whom this work provides an important source of income.

Very occasionally, WLT is asked by one of its project partners to recruit an international volunteer, to acquire a specialist skill not available locally. These skills have been varied, from drainage engineers, skilled builders, and marketing experts. These opportunities will be advertised on our vacancies page as and when they arise.

Can I do a gap year project overseas with WLT?

World Land Trust does not currently have programmes for gap year students.

Can I get a grant from WLT?

WLT does not give grants to individuals, and does not support expeditions. Grants are normally only made to NGOs who become part of our partner network. Before applying to WLT, it is essential to have read the project proposal guidelines.

Can I contact WLT Patron Sir David Attenborough?

Sir David asks us to inform enquirers that he is not taking on new commitments and is booked up many months in advance so is generally unable to accept invitations to speak at events and conferences. Also please note that Sir David is unable to endorse products, read manuscripts, accept invitations to write forewords in books, or attend book launches.

Can World Land Trust supply speakers on conservation?

WLT can supply a representative to speak at a public or private event if travel expenses are reimbursed (and very occasionally, when they are not). Speakers are usually staff members, but occasionally we will have other stakeholders who are prepared to give talks.