Buy an acre
Habitat loss is the greatest threat facing wildlife worldwide. We believe that by protecting land, acre by acre, we are taking the best action to ensure a future for wildlife.
Today, Simon Jones, a keen cyclist and supporter of World Land Trust (WLT), sets off on an extraordinary 35,000 km journey around the planet, aiming to raise £1 million – enough to safeguard 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares) of threatened wildlife habitat.
We caught up with Simon to learn more.
Protecting nature can sometimes feel overwhelming. But World Land Trust offers a direct and effective way to make a difference. If this journey inspires people to protect even a single acre, it will be worth every mile.
Six years ago, Simon cycled Europe, finishing in Greece. Now, he will continue. Credit: Simon Jones
From Europe to the wider world
Six years ago, Simon cycled across Europe over two to three months. When he reached the end, he remembers wishing he could keep going.
“I had to go back to work last time, but I quit my job last year, so I no longer have that problem!” he says. “I just remember really wanting to carry on because I was enjoying it so much. And this time, I get to keep going.”
On that earlier ride, Simon stopped in Greece. Now, he plans to continue east through Turkey and Georgia before heading into Central Asia.
“Last time, I finished in Athens. Everything after will be completely new territory.”
Climbing Mount Olympus in Greece will cap the European leg of Simon's journey. Credit: Ben Dumond
Climbing a mountain on each continent
As if cycling around the world weren’t challenge enough, Simon will also climb a mountain on each continent he crosses – a personal goal that mirrors the scale and urgency of the conservation challenge he’s supporting.
“I really love trekking and climbing,” he explains. “Some people focus on just one sport, but I like combining different ones. I also wanted to make this journey a bit unique.”
Simon’s first mountain climb will be Mount Olympus in Greece.
“It’s one you don’t hear too much about. I’ve climbed in the Alps before, so I thought why not try something a bit different?”
A herd of mouflon in Armenia's Caucasus mountains in winter. Simon will need to get passed here before the snow falls. Credit: FPWC
Timing the journey with the seasons
Simon estimates the ride will take between 18 months and two years.
“I haven’t put a fixed timeframe on it because I don’t want to be too rushed. I want to be able to stop and see and get to know places along the way.”
Weather will be the main constraint. Reaching Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia before winter is essential, while Australia poses the opposite challenge – avoiding the extreme heat of the outback in high summer.
“That might mean waiting in some places or moving faster in others,” Simon says. “But overall, I’m hoping not to rush it.”
With a European cycle tour under his belt, Simon is no stranger to life on the road. Credit: Roz Gordon
Life on the road
The journey has been around a year in the planning. Simon has prepared a detailed kit list and researched everything from visas and vaccines to insurance and route logistics.
He plans to camp for much of the journey and also to use Warmshowers – a global network where cycle tourists offer each other accommodation.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be some creature comforts along the way.
“I usually try to stay somewhere indoors about once a week, just for a bit of comfort and a rest day,” he says. “But otherwise, I’ll be camping.”
WLT stood out to Simon for its practical conservation approach and proven track record. Credit: Roberto Pedraza Ruiz
Why Simon is supporting WLT
For Simon, the decision to support environmental protection comes down to a simple principle.
“There are so many worthy causes out there, but for me, a healthy, functioning planet is fundamental to everything,” he says. “I’ve always loved nature and the outdoors and I get so upset when I see it being destroyed. It really goes to my core.”
After researching different organisations, Simon says WLT stood out for its practical, long-term approach.
“It just seemed like such an effective, simple solution – working with local partners to acquire land and protect it permanently. And”, he adds smiling, “If Sir David Attenborough thinks it’s the right place to put your money, who am I to argue?”
This is the Napo waterfall, which is situated in the Andean Amazonian foothills of Ecuador, which Simon may visit during his trip. Credit: Fundación Jocotoco
Seeing conservation in action
Along the way, Simon hopes to visit several WLT conservation projects and partners, including sites in Armenia, Peru and Ecuador.
“It’ll take some coordination because I don’t always know exactly when I’ll arrive,” he says. “But being able to see some of the projects firsthand will be really special.”
If you would like to follow Simon’s journey, please click here
Action Fund
By donating to World Land Trust’s Action Fund, we are able to act quickly, whenever and wherever urgent conservation action is needed.
Plant a Tree
Reforestation is one of the main methods of restoring many damaged ecosystems, with Plant a Tree, you can bring vital forest habitats back to life.
